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Avalon Cruise Map

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Avalon Waterways Burgundy & Provence (Northbound) (WLJ)

8 Day River Cruise Arles to Chalon-sur-Saône 
Take a wondrous journey through beautiful views of France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Embark your ship in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world. The city of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards and you’ll go on a guided walk of this medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. 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.

Ships: Poetry II

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Arles (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 3 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes

Day 4 Viviers: Guided walk, visit the Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 5 Tournon–Vienne: Choice of guided walk in Tournon or bike with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk in Vienne or hike with your Adventure Host

Day 6 Lyon: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill

Day 7 Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône: Cheese tasting on board

Day 8 Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning

Special Interest Departures

10/29/2024 - Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
11/12/2024 - Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
04/01/2025 - A Culinary Experience in Burgundy & Provence (Northbound)
07/08/2025 - Burgundy & Provence for Jazz Lovers (Northbound)
10/14/2025 - Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
10/28/2025 - Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
11/11/2025 - Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers (Northbound)

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1ARLES (EMBARKATION)
 Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

Flights into Marseille must arrive by 3 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

(D)
Day 2ARLES
 Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through nordic walking in Arles with your Adventure Host. OR:

DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:

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.

Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) a unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.

Take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

(B,L,D)
Day 3AVIGNON
 The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

(B,L,D)
Day 4VIVIERS
 World History in a Charming French Country Village

Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers.

ACTIVE Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC 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.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNON

(B,L,D)
Day 5TOURNON
 A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Bike along the Rhone river with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC 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.

In the late morning cruise to Vienne.

VIENNE

Roman and Middle Age History

ACTIVE See Vienne from atop, hike up to a viewpoint with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Vienne and discover this charming little town surrounded by steep hills.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(B,L,D)
Day 6LYON
 Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France

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.

Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS

(B,L,D)
Day 7TOURNUS–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE
 Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône

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 on board this evening.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE

(B,L,D)
Day 8CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION)
 Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Lyon airport before 8 am.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Gateway city for arrivals is Marseille.
Gateway city for departures is Lyon.

Port charges:
$210

Gratuities 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.

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.

Avalon Waterways Fleet

Click Quote for an Avalon Waterways Tour Date for our low price tour quote


Avalon Tour Dates

Tour Land StartAvalon RetailRequest Quote
*04/16/2024 $3,999.00
*04/30/2024 $4,199.00
*05/28/2024 $4,299.00
*06/11/2024 $4,299.00
*07/09/2024 $4,199.00
*08/06/2024 $4,199.00
*09/03/2024 $4,399.00
*09/17/2024 $4,399.00
*10/01/2024 $4,299.00
*10/15/2024 $4,099.00
*10/29/2024 $3,799.00
*11/12/2024 $3,699.00
*04/01/2025 $3,899.00
*04/15/2025 $3,999.00
*05/13/2025 $4,199.00
*05/27/2025 $4,299.00
*06/24/2025 $4,299.00
*07/08/2025 $4,199.00
*08/05/2025 $4,199.00
*08/19/2025 $4,199.00
*09/16/2025 $4,399.00
*09/30/2025 $4,299.00
*10/14/2025 $4,099.00
*10/28/2025 $3,799.00
*11/11/2025 $3,699.00
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