Avalon Waterways Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Aix-en-Provence & 2 Nights in Nice (Southbound) (WJL3)
12 Day River Cruise St. Jean-de-Losne to Nice
Take a delightful river cruise through
France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in well-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, is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. With plenty of time to explore this historical city further, be sure to sample Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards is the city 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 site of its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.Disembark your Avalon Suite Ship® in Port-Saint-Louis and transfer to Aix en Provence for the start of your Monograms® vacation. With two overnights, enjoy guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide, and visit the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, known for its mix of architectural styles.Your Monograms vacation continues in Nice for your final two nights in France. Here, you’ll walk through the Old Town and the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s most famous boulevard. In your free time, perhaps take an excursion to
Monaco or Cannes—known for its famous film festival. In both cities, we provide the services of Monograms Local Hosts®—a “friend in the city” to answer questions, share inside information, and help arrange your activities and excursions.
Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing
Day 1 St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Mâcon: Leisurely cruising; onboard cheese tasting
Day 3 Lyon: Choice of guided sightseeing with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; lecture on board
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 Palace of the Popes
Day 7 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing in
Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Port-Saint-Louis (Disembarkation)-Aix-en-Provence: Transfer to Aix-en-Provence; guided walking tour, visit Cathedral of the Holy Saviour
Day 9 Aix-en-Provence: Day at leisure
Day 10 Aix-en-Provence-Nice: Travel to Nice; guided walking tour with Promenade des Anglais and the Old Town
Day 11 Nice: Day at leisure
Day 12 Nice: Your vacation ends this morning
Related Avalon Tours
WJL - Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)
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
WJLE - With 2 Night in Nice
WJLQ - With 2 Nights in Paris
WJLY - With 2 Nights in Paris & 2 Night in Nice
WLJ - Burgundy & Provence (Northbound)
Itinerary (2023)
| 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 Saône 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. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX (B,L,D) |
| Day 3 | LYON |
| | La Vie En Rose in Lyon. Sail for lovely Lyon this morning. ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR: 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.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 |
| | Adventures in Food and Wine 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON(B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | TOURNON |
| | A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards 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. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch. VIVIERS World History in a Charming French Country Village 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 AVIGNON(B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | 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. EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES(B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | ARLES |
| | Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights 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. EVENING CRUISE TO PORT ST. LOUIS(B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | PORT-SAINT-LOUIS (DISEMBARKATION)–AIX-EN-PROVENCE |
| | Leave your Avalon vacation upon disembarkation in Port-Saint-Louis, and take the included transfer to Aix-en-Provence to join your Monograms package. Your Guided Walking Tour includes a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, known for its interesting combination of architectural styles and The Burning Bush triptych art masterpiece by Nicolas Froment. (B) |
| Day 9 | AIX-EN-PROVENCE |
| | Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cézanne’s hometown. Your Local Host will help you get the most out of your stay. (B) |
| Day 10 | AIX-EN-PROVENCE–NICE |
| | Travel to Nice. Your Guided Sightseeing features the Promenade des Anglais, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice, and a walk through the charming Old Town.(B) |
| Day 11 | NICE |
| | Your Local Host has recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d’Azur. (B) |
| Day 12 | NICE |
| | Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B) |
Avalon Pricing Details
Gateway city for arrivals is Lyon.Port charges:$196Gratuities 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.