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Avalon Waterways Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice (Northbound) (WLPQ)

17 Day River Cruise Nice to Paris 
This incredible European river on the Rhône, Saône, and Seine Rivers highlights the best of France. Begin your adventure in captivating Nice on the French Riviera before cruising. On the Rhône River from Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh—and its 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 the city of Tournon, beautifully nestled among vineyards and a medieval treasure of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. On your Seine River cruise, you’ll have the choice of seeing the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery; the delightful Les Andelys, Joan of Arc’s Rouen, Vincent Van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise, or Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. On this French river cruise, you’ll enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful views, and stops in the most charming parts of France. Your vacation in France 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 sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. Walk in the footsteps of the great master artists, enjoy the delectable cuisine of France, and stand where heroes fought for freedom on the beaches of Normandy. This and so much more is waiting for you on your French cruise on the Seine!

Ships: Poetry II & Tapestry 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: Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 5 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes

Day 6 Viviers: Guided walk, visit 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-Paris (Embarkation): Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; TGV train from Dijon to Paris; onboard welcome reception

Day 11 Vernon-Les Andelys: Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk or guided hike in Les Andelys; onboard crêpe tasting and Pastry Demonstration

Day 12 Caudebec: Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route” or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 13 Caudebec: Choice of full day excursions to Normandy landing beaches, or "A Taste of Normandy" excursion

Day 14 Rouen: Guided tour, see the Astronomical Clock and visit to the cathedral

Day 15 Conflans: Choice of excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, or excursion to Napoleon and Josephine’s Château de Malmaison or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 16 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or “Heart of Paris” walking tour or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 17 Paris (Disembarkation): Vacation ends this morning

Special Interest Departures

10/27/2024 - Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
11/10/2024 - Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
03/30/2025 - A Culinary Experience in Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice (Northbound)
07/06/2025 - Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice for Jazz Lovers (Northbound)
10/12/2025 - Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
10/26/2025 - Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice for Wine Lovers (Northbound)
11/09/2025 - Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice for Wine Lovers (Northbound)

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1NICE
 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 2NICE
 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 3NICE–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 4ARLES
 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 that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh.

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 5AVIGNON
 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 6VIVIERS
 World History in a Charming French Country Village

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 7TOURNON
 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 8LYON
 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 9TOURNUS–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 10CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION) BEAUNE–DIJON–PARIS (EMBARKATION)
 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 is one of France’s architectural highlights.

This afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris to board your Suite Ship®.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON

(B,D)
Day 11VERNON
 Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour

Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.

DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.

This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.

LES ANDELYS

Serenity on the Seine

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)
Day 12CAUDEBEC
 Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.

This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)
Day 13CAUDEBEC. NORMANDY EXCURSIONS
 Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC Join “A Taste of Normandy” Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN

(B,L,D)
Day 14ROUEN
 The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—home of the martyred Joan of Arc—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS

(B,L,D)
Day 15CONFLANS
 The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.

Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS

(B,L,D)
Day 16PARIS
 Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the city of Lights

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC 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 you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.

Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

(B,L,D)
Day 17PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
 Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Port charges:
$420

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
*06/09/2024 $9,457.00
*07/07/2024 $9,257.00
*08/04/2024 $9,257.00
*09/01/2024 $9,657.00
*09/15/2024 $9,657.00
*10/13/2024 $8,777.00
*10/27/2024 $8,277.00
*11/10/2024 $7,957.00
*03/30/2025 $8,457.00
*04/13/2025 $8,777.00
*05/11/2025 $9,247.00
*06/22/2025 $9,357.00
*07/06/2025 $9,257.00
*08/03/2025 $9,257.00
*08/17/2025 $9,357.00
*09/14/2025 $9,657.00
*09/28/2025 $9,357.00
*10/12/2025 $8,777.00
*10/26/2025 $8,277.00
*11/09/2025 $7,957.00
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