Avalon Waterways Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) (WJL)
8 Day River Cruise St. Jean-de-Losne to Port-Saint-Louis
Take a delightful river cruise through
France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France.
Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. You’ll have plenty of time to explore this historical city further and be sure to sample Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the city of
Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, where you’ll go on a guided walk. Continue your river cruise to historical
Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world. On the Rhône River sits
Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.
Ships:
Poetry II
Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing
Day 1 St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation): onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Mâcon: leisurely cruising; onboard cheese tasting
Day 3 Lyon: guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill; on board lecture
Day 4 Lyon: culinary tour
Day 5 Tournon–Viviers: guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral
Day 6 Avignon: guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes
Day 7 Arles: choice of guided sightseeing in
Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop
Day 8 Port St. Louis (Disembarkation): your cruise ends this morning.
Special Interest Departures
04/06/2021 - A Culinary Experience in Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)
11/02/2021 - Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers (Southbound)
Related Avalon Tours
WJL - Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)
WJLE - With 1 Night in Marseille
WJLQ - With 2 Nights in Paris
WJLY - With 2 Nights in Paris & 1 Night in Marseille
WJL1 - With 2 Nights in Paris, 2 Nights in Aix-en-Provence & 2 Nights in Nice
WJL2 - With 2 Nights in Paris, 2 Nights in Nice & 3 Nights in Barcelona
WJL3 - With 2 Nights in Aix-en-Provence & 2 Nights in Nice
WJL4 - With 2 Nights in Nice & 3 Nights in Barcelona
WLJ - Burgundy & Provence (Northbound)
Itinerary (2021)
| Day 1 | ST. JEAN DE LOSNE, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) |
| | Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for BoardingFlights into Lyon must arrive by Noon. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MÂCON(D) |
| Day 2 | MÂCON |
| | Wine and Cheese on the Stunning SaôneVisit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River. Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar, or to the Castle of Cormatin. DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX(B,L,D) |
| Day 3 | LYON |
| | Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of FranceSail for lovely Lyon this morning. CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux. Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance your lecture on board your ship. Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON(B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | LYON |
| | French Food and Wine—La Vie En Rose in Lyon DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France.The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals. EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON(B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | TOURNON |
| | A Rendezvous with Castle Views and VineyardsCLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch. VIVIERSWorld History in a Charming French Country VillageCLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON(B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | AVIGNON |
| | The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence Join your Adventrue Host for today’s special activities.CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes.Guided Optional Excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region. Explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment. EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES(B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | ARLES |
| | Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights ACTIVE Grab a Nordic walking stick for a hike with your Adventure Host.CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city, OR:DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn the style and techniques of Vincent van Gogh. You’ll create your own painting in the style of the classic master who took inspiration from the Provence light and landscape in Arles.Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.Take advantage of any free time remaining with a stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, to relax and watch the world go by. EVENING CRUISE TO PORT ST. LOUIS(B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | PORT ST. LOUIS (DISEMBARKATION) |
| | Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.(B) |
Avalon Pricing Details
Book now to guarantee Early Preview Pricing, available only until April 6, 2020.Port charges:$182Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included on Avalon portion only.Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.All prices per person based on double occupancy. Prices shown include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck. See below for upgrade pricing.To upgrade to a higher category, add per person:Category / Decks / PriceD / Indigo Deck / $199B / Sapphire Deck / $1,149A / Sapphire Deck / $1,199P / Royal Deck / $1,299Royal Suite / Royal Deck / $2,199NOTE:Special Interest Cruise: Culinary April 4; Wine Appreciation October 17 & October 31
Avalon Notes
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.