Avalon Waterways Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Nice & 2 Nights in Paris (Northbound) (WLJY)
12 Day River Cruise Nice to Paris
Begin with two overnights in captivating Nice on the French Riviera, and relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea. Take a wondrous European river cruise 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 site of a 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world. Take a guided walk through a medieval treasure of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle in the city of Tournon, beautifully nestled among vineyards. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux and stand in front of the famous fountain seen on postcards. This French river cruise vacation would not be complete without a stay in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities! Discover its true heart on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour to see the iconic landmarks of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. Ships: Poetry II
Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing Day 1 Nice: Welcome to France Day 2 Nice: Guided tour Day 3 Nice-Arles (Embarkation): Transfer to the ship; onboard welcome reception Day 4 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host Day 5 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes Day 6 Viviers: Guided walk, visit the Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host Day 7 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 8 Lyon: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill Day 9 Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône: Cheese tasting on board Day 10 Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)-Beaune-Dijon-Paris: Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; high-speed train from Dijon to Paris Day 11 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or 'Heart of Paris' walking tour to see Paris' historic sights Day 12 Paris: Your vacation ends this morning Special Interest Departures 10/27/2024 - Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Nice & 2 Nights in Paris for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
11/10/2024 - Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Nice & 2 Nights in Paris for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
03/30/2025 - A Culinary Experience in Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 2 Nights in Paris (Northbound)
07/06/2025 - Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 2 Nights in Paris for Jazz Lovers (Northbound)
10/12/2025 - Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 2 Nights in Paris for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
10/26/2025 - Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 2 Nights in Paris for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
11/09/2025 - Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 2 Nights in Paris for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
Itinerary (2024)| Day 1 | NICE | | | Welcome to France. Enjoy free time to discover the beauty of the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy. | | Day 2 | NICE | | | The “Queen of the French Riviera” CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing in Nice. Discover the narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city—an area which has changed little since the 1700s.(B) | | Day 3 | NICE–ARLES (EMBARKATION) | | | Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Join a motorcoach transfer to board your Avalon Suite Ship.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES(B,D) | | Day 4 | ARLES | | | Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure HostACTIVE 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 5 | AVIGNON | | | 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 6 | VIVIERS | | | World History in a Charming French Country VillageEnjoy 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 7 | TOURNON | | | A Rendezvous with Castle Views and VineyardsJoin 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. VIENNERoman 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 8 | LYON | | | Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of FranceCLASSIC 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 9 | TOURNUS–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 10 | CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION)–BEAUNE–DIJON–PARIS | | | Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris.CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgment and one of France’s architectural highlights.(B) | | Day 11 | PARIS | | | Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the city of LightCLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour that shows the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.Spend your free time strolling through the Champs-Élysées for café au lait and croissants, see the exhibits at the Louvre, visit Montmartre’s Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. (B) | | Day 12 | PARIS | | | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B) |
Avalon Pricing Details Port charges:$210Gratuities 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.
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