Avalon Waterways Burgundy & Provence – Southbound (WJL)
11 days from Paris to Cote d'Azur
Take a wondrous river cruise through beautiful France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too!This France river cruise adventure begins in style with two overnights in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities! The City of Light has Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum with its elegant glass pyramid contrasting its ancient architecture. A city tour will show you all the must-see sights and you’ll have free time to bask in the lavish cafés and perhaps attend a famous cabaret show.Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, 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 and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, where you’ll go on a guided walk of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. 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 Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.End this historical and delightful river cruise through France with an overnight stay on the picturesque French Riviera, also known as the Côte d’Azur. Explore this captivating area and relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea. Ships: Affinity - Poetry II
Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing Days 1-2 Paris: welcome to France; guided sightseeing on Day 2 Day 3 Paris–Dijon–Beaune–St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation)–Seurre: TGV train from Paris to Dijon. Motorcoach transfer to Beaune, visit the Hôtel-Dieu; onboard welcome reception Day 4 Seurre–Macon: leisurely cruising; free time in Mâcon; onboard cheese tasting Day 5 Lyon: guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill Day 6 Lyon: a free day to explore this fascinating city at leisure Day 7 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers: guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral Day 8 Avignon: guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes Day 9 Arles: cruise into the Camargue region (daylight permitting); guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater Day 10 Arles (Disembarkation)–Côte d’Azur: travel by motorcoach to Côte d’Azur Day 11 Côte d’Azur: your vacation ends this morning. Special Interest Departures 10/25/2018 - Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers
Related Avalon Tours WJL0 - Save with the Cruise-Only Portion WJL1 - Add Provence to Your Vacation WJL2 - Add Barcelona to Your Vacation WLJ - Cruise from Cote d'Azur to Paris
Itinerary (2018)| Day 1 | Arrive in Paris, France. | | | Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air! | | Day 2 | Paris. | | | Known as one of the world’s most passionate and lively cities, Paris delights the senses. Your included CITY SIGHTSEEING shows you magnificent must-see sights, such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower. In your free time, stroll down the Champs-Elysées with its lavish cafés, or perhaps visit the world-famous Louvre museum or Montmartre with its gleaming white Sacré Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on Place du Tertre. (B) | | Day 3 | Paris–Dijon–Beaune–St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation)–Seurre. | | | This morning, board the TGV train to Dijon and from there, drive to Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Although life here centers around wine, Beaune offers much more. Visit the HÔTEL-DIEU charity hospital, built in 1443 and paid for by the chancellor of Burgundy after the Hundred Years’ War left many of the town’s population destitute. Today it houses Van der Weyden’s painting of The Last Judgment and is one of France’s architectural highlights. Then, continue to St. Jean de Losne, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception as your ship departs for Seurre. (B,D) | | Day 4 | Seurre–Macon. | | | Enjoy some leisurely cruising this morning. In the afternoon, you might choose to participate in an optional excursion, such as to a Chardonnay wine cellar, before your ship arrives in Mâcon. In the late afternoon, enjoy an ONBOARD CHEESE TASTING. (B,L,D) | | Day 5 | Lyon. | | | Lyon, France’s third-largest city and its gastronomic capital, was founded by the Romans in 43 BC. The city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Roman remains, excellent museums, and renaissance architecture delight visitors. A LOCAL GUIDE joins you as you survey the city from Fourvière Hill and explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and Place des Terreaux, a popular area with lively cafés, monuments, and the famous fountain often depicted on postcards. (B,L,D) | | Day 6 | Lyon. | | | Enjoy a free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Perhaps wander through one of Lyon’s parks, discover some of the murals (there are over 100), or select one of the available optional excursions. Be sure to taste the gastronomic delights and sample Beaujolais, the wine of the region; wine connoisseurs know that the grapes must be hand picked. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. (B,L,D) | | Day 7 | Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers. | | | The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. A LOCAL GUIDE will show you Tournon, one of France’s oldest medieval cities, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins. Arriving in Viviers in the afternoon, a GUIDED WALK shows you this charming town that developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL. The OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D) | | Day 8 | Avignon. | | | The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence with its intact ramparts encircling the entire city, cobblestone streets and squares, and private mansions built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Known as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century. During your GUIDED TOUR you may choose to join an included visit of the PALACE OF THE POPES, built in the 14th century as the sovereign popes’ residence. A photo of the famous Pont Saint Bénezet (Saint Bénezet Bridge), of the popular song Sur le Pont d’Avignon, is a must. Optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available. (B,L,D) | | Day 9 | Arles. | | | This morning, wake up early to the tranquil vistas of Camargue National Park (daylight permitting) before arriving in Arles after breakfast. Located on the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is capital of the Provence region. Your LOCAL GUIDE will show you highlights of the city and you’ll visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. Still used today, it dates to the 1st century and was constructed to hold more than 20,000 spectators. (B,L,D) | | Day 10 | Arles (Disembarkation)–Côte d’Azur. | | | After breakfast, a comfortable motorcoach ride takes you to the Côte d’Azur for a last night in France. Also known as the French Riviera, the Côte d’Azur stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the Italian border, and is synonymous with prestige and beauty. (B) | | Day 11 | Côte d’Azur. | | | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Avalon Pricing Details Port charges:$168Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.Extra nights per person in Paris:in single room from $440 to $790, in twin room from $225 to $410 Extra nights per person in Côte d’Azur:in single room from $290 to $695, in twin room from $165 to $355 Prices shown include cruise in Category E in a deluxe outside stateroom on Indigo Deck.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 / $1,999 NOTE:- Departure October 25 is offered as exclusive Wine Appreciation Cruises, including special lectures and tastings at no additional cost. Your palate will applaud as you learn what to look for in a good wine. A distinguished wine authority will teach you the ropes as you visit a wine village and attend tastings to test your newfound talent.
Avalon Notes - Departure October 25 is offered as exclusive Wine Appreciation Cruises, including special lectures and tastings at no additional cost. Your palate will applaud as you learn what to look for in a good wine. A distinguished wine authority will teach you the ropes as you visit a wine village and attend tastings to test your newfound talent.
- In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
- Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
- In the event that a high-speed train is unavailable due to strikes or technical reasons, the route will be operated by motorcoach.
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