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Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery on the Rhône (Southbound) (WYL)

8 Day River Cruise Lyon to Arles 
Whether you’re an art lover, a foodie, a history buff, or an energetic adventurer, your Active & Discovery cruise on the Rhône River offers just-right included activities and excursions to suit your interests. With Avalon Choice® inclusions, you can select the experiences that are perfect for your preference and pace. From Classic to Active to Discovery experiences, you can each destination your way. Begin in the culinary capital of France—Lyon—where you can choose a culinary walk to discover architecture and local specialties, or take a cooking class. Embark on a kayak excursion or simply linger in a sidewalk café; stroll Avignon’s papal palace or attend a wine tasting in an underground cave. With so many included choices, you’ll find the perfect way to spend your day—from a ghost tour in Viviers to a guided bike ride through the Gard region, to a chocolate factory tour.

Take a painting workshop in Arles—in the style of Van Gogh. Visit an oyster farm or ride a bike through Camargue Regional Nature Park to spot flamingos. You’ll have the classic sightseeing and relaxing activities in each destination, along with your choice of included arts, culture, and cuisine excursions. Our Active & Discovery Rhône River cruise with Avalon Choice® includes activities and excursions to experience the Rhône River your way and at your pace.

Ships: Poetry II

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Lyon (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception; evening guided tour of Lyon

Day 2 Lyon: Choice of culinary tour, or guided urban hike, or cooking class

Day 3 Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon-Viviers: Choice of rail-bike tour along the Gorges du Doux, or guided hike in the vineyards, or guided tour of Tournon, or tour of the Valrhona factory and museum; Lyonnaise specialties cooking demonstration; evening guided tour in Viviers

Day 4 Viviers-Avignon: In Avignon choice of guided kayak trip down the Gorges de l'Ardèche, or guided hike in the Natural Reserve of Cirque d'Estre, or guided speleological excursion with wine tasting in the caves; evening guided tour of Viviers

Day 5 Avignon: Choice of guided tour, or guided e-bike tour, or Provencal farmhouse experience

Day 6 Arles: Choice of guided tour in Arles, meeting a bullfighter, guided hike through the Hell Valley with a visit to Carrières de Lumière, or painting workshop

Day 7 Port-Saint-Louis: Choice of excursion to a local oyster farm with tasting, visit a bull ranch, or bike tour through the Camargue Regional Natural Park

Day 8 Arles (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning

Itinerary (2024)

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

Flights into Lyon must arrive by 3:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

DISCOVERY Get an entirely different perspective of Lyon on this relaxing evening drive around the illuminated city. Experience the heart of the city in the magical Presqu’île district, admire the grand architecture of the historic buildings lining Place des Terreaux, see monumental Bartholdi Fountain, and more!

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(D)
Day 2LYON
 A Festival of Colors, Aromas, and Taste

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

ACTIVE Take a Guided Urban Hike through Lyon’s secret passageways (Traboules) for a glimpse into the city’s 19th-century silk trade, OR:

DISCOVERY Take a Guided Culinary Walk through Lyon to discover architecture and local specialties in a festival of colors, aromas and taste—exclusive for Avalon guests, OR:

DISCOVERY Join our Cooking Class to learn to make your own Lyonnaise specialty.

This afternoon, you might take an off-the-beaten-path Guided Optional Tour (Avalon exclusive) through private and public terraces for panoramic views of Lyon, starting on the roof of the Basilica de Fourvière.

EVENING CRUISE TO TAIN L’HERMITAGE/TOURNON

(B,L,D)
Day 3TAIN L’HERMITAGE/TOURNON
 Chocolatiers and Railway Engineers in the Twin City Gorge

ACTIVE For a unique experience and panoramic views, join a Guided Excursion this morning on a rail-bike along the descent of the Gorges du Doux, OR:

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike in the picturesque vineyards surrounding the twin cities of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage, OR:


DISCOVERY Have a true “chocolate experience” with a tour of the Valrhona Chocolate Factory and Museum, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Tournon—twin city to Tain-l’Hermitage and one of France’s oldest medieval cities. You’ll see its imposing 16th-century castle.

DISCOVERY Join a Cooking Demonstration and learn how to prepare a Lyonnaise treat while sailing to Viviers.

VIVIERS

Fascinating History, and Nighttime Ghost Stories

DISCOVERY For a different perspective on the town, join us on a nighttime Guided Tour of Viviers, discovering the legends, tales and ghost stories of this enchanting town.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIVIERS

(B,L,D)
Day 4VIVIERS–LOCK BOLLÈNE
 River Gorge Kayaks, Underground Wines, and Ghost Stories

ACTIVE Immerse yourself in the scenery with a Guided Kayak Trip in the Gorges de l’Ardèche on the spectacular canyons of this Rhône tributary, OR:

ACTIVE Find inspiration from the amazing landscape of the region with a Guided Hike through the Natural Reserve of Cirque d’Estre, OR:

ACTIVE Join a Guided Visit for a surprising underground Wine Tasting—under the direction of an expert Speleologist (cave guide) and an oenologist (wine-making expert), OR:


Cruise through the soaring walls of the Lock Bollène on your way to Avignon this afternoon.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

(B,L,D)
Day 5AVIGNON
 Bike Pedals, Papal Palaces, and Perfumes in Provence

ACTIVE Join a leisurely Guided E-Bike Ride through Gard region; after all, no need to pedal on the way back, OR:

DISCOVERY Visit an authentic Provencal farmhouse for a delightful experience to fill your senses as you see how essential oils are created, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon, including a visit to the world’s largest gothic fortress—the 14th-century Palace Of the Popes. Also, explore Les Halles’ covered market.

This afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Tour of the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a wine tasting, or you may opt for a Guided Optional Excursion on a kayak through the waters of Pont du Gard—the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts.

You may choose to spend free time to explore Avignon—known as the heart of Provence. Take a leisurely stroll or a bike ride through the tree-lined streets and leafy squares within Avignon’s medieval walls.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

(B,L,D)
Day 6ARLES
 A Master Painter and a Matador in Provence

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Experience the legends of Val d’Enfer with a Guided Hike; an area taking its name from the unique white limestone rock formations. The excursion includes an unforgettable audio/video experience of light, images, and music at the Carrières de Lumières, 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 Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Arles to get to know this charming town, including a visit with a local bullfighter to learn about the secrets and traditions handed down through generations.

This afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, stroll, or just relax in a lovely park along Arles’ Boulevard des Lices. Alternatively, feel free to choose one of the optional excursions on offer.

Later, enjoy on board live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

(B,L,D)
Day 7PORT-SAINT-LOUIS
 Oysters and Flamingos in the Rhône Delta

Enjoy a morning cruise to Port-Saint-Louis on the Sky Deck of your ship.

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Ride through the Camargue Natural Park with an eye out for more than 400 bird species—including pink flamingos—along the trails of the Mediterranean’s Rhône delta, OR:

DISCOVERY Enjoy a taste of local life with a visit to an oyster farm in the Camargue Natural Park on a Guided Tour to enjoy an oyster tasting and learn how this delicacy is farmed, OR:

DISCOVERY Visit one of France’s most popular and pristine nature reserves on this memorable visit to a traditional black bull ranch in Camargue Regional Nature Park!

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

(B,L,D)
Day 8ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)
 Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.

(B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Gateway city for departures is Marseille.

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

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Avalon Tour Dates

Tour Land StartAvalon RetailRequest Quote
*05/21/2024 $4,299.00
*07/30/2024 $4,199.00
*05/06/2025 $4,299.00
*06/17/2025 $4,299.00
*07/29/2025 $4,199.00
*09/09/2025 $4,399.00
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