A Culinary Experience in Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 3 Nights in London (Northbound) 2025

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Description

Summary

Starts
Nice
Duration
20 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum age
8 years

Description

Embark on a 20-day immersive journey through the heart of France and England. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of historical exploration, cultural immersion, and culinary delights. From the sun-kissed French Riviera to the bustling streets of London, each day presents a new adventure. Discover the timeless beauty of Nice, the artistic heritage of Arles, the medieval charm of Avignon, and the gastronomic delights of Lyon. Cruise along the serene Seine River, explore the poignant WWII landing beaches of Normandy, and marvel at the architectural splendors of Paris. The journey doesn't end there; a high-speed Eurostar train whisks you away to London, where iconic landmarks, royal palaces, and the vibrant West End await. This tour is a perfect blend of guided activities and free time, allowing you to tailor your experience to your interests.

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Included

Chef-prepared onboard meals with regional cuisine and familiar favorites

Seasonal cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients

Avalon Fresh® healthy cuisine options at every meal

Spacious, open-seating Panorama Dining Room

Daily breakfast buffet with full range of classic breakfast items, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and daily a la carte specials

Complimentary room service for Continental breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Daily lunch buffet featuring regional specialties, classic dishes, healthy Avalon Fresh® options and rotating chef’s features including carving & pasta stations. Alternatively, you may dine al fresco at our Sky Grill on the Sky Deck (weather and itinerary permitting) or enjoy a light lunch in the Panorama Lounge.

Afternoon Tea featuring tea, coffee, and sweet treats

Four-course dinners with choice of appetizers, soups, salads, entrées and desserts or cheese

Linger over several selections from the Panorama Bistro's tasting menu for a less formal "sit-down" atmosphere

Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner

Avalon FlexDining® flexible dining times with menu & venue options

Vegetarian options at every meal, as well as vegan, low calorie, low fat, high fiber, low cholesterol, high energy and allergy-free selections

Panorama Lounge & Bar with premium spirits, cozy seating, panoramic windows & dance floor

Welcome & farewell cocktails with sparkling wine & canapés

New in 2023 - included Happy Hour every evening featuring house beer, wine, cocktails and a drink of the day

Cocktails with a view on the Sky Deck

Specialty coffees, espresso drinks and beWell Essence flavored and infused water available throughout each day

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Avalon Poetry II or Avalon Tapestry II

Train

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14 nights onboard

2 nights in Nice

3 nights in London

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Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director

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Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship

Panoramic windows throughout the ship

Elegant, contemporary design & decor

Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges

Covered Observation Lounge

Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day

Elevator

Non-smoking interior and staterooms

Avalon Waterways offers a selection of included excursions in every port of call, with something for everyone within their "Classic", "Discovery" and "Active" collections

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Destinations

Paris, France. Panoramic view from Arc de Triomphe. Eiffel Tower and Avenue des Champs Elysees. Europe.Paris
Tain-l'Hermitage
The City of Lyon in the daytime.Lyon
Les Andelys
photo of The Old Mill of Vernon in Vernon Normandy France.Vernon
Avignon - city in FranceAvignon
Rouen - city in FranceRouen

Map

Attractions

#ILoveNICE, Vieux Nice, Nice, Maritime Alps, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Metropolitan France, France#ILoveNICE
photo of Palace of the Popes (Palais des Papes), once fortress and palace, one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe, at morning, Avignon, France.Palais des Papes
photo of on the way in the beautiful valley of the Seine at Château Gaillard in Les Andelys, Normandy, France.Château Gaillard
Photo of beautiful summer view of Louvre Museum, one of the world's most important museums, historic monument and parisian landmark, Paris, France.Louvre Museum
photo of The Foundation Claude Monet is a nonprofit organization that runs and preserves the house and gardens of Claude Monet in Giverny, France.Fondation Monet in Giverny
The cathedral Notre-Dame de Bayeux. Antique Norman-Romanesque cathedral is located in the Bayeux, Calvados department of Normandy, France.Bayeux Cathedral
L'espace Van Gogh
Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune, Beaune, Côte-d'Or, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Metropolitan France, FranceHôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
Photo of Eiffel Tower in Paris, France best Destinations in Europe.Eiffel Tower
Pont du Gard Museum
photo of the Roman Arles Amphitheatre in the Old Town of Arles in France.Arles Amphitheatre
Botanical Garden, Bayeux, Calvados, Normandy, Metropolitan France, FranceBotanical Garden
photo of the equestrian monument of King Louis XIV in Place Bellecour at morning in Lyon, France.Place Bellecour
Cathedral of Our Lady of Évreux, Normandy, FranceÉvreux Cathedral
Horniman Museum and Gardens, London Borough of Lewisham, London, Greater London, England, United KingdomHorniman Museum and Gardens
Biotropica, animal gardens, Val-de-Reuil, Les Andelys, Eure, Normandy, Metropolitan France, FranceBiotropica, animal gardens

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Nice

  • Nice - Arrival day
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  • Fort de la Revère
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Welcome to Nice, the gem of the French Riviera. After settling into your hotel, spend the rest of the day exploring the city at your leisure. Stroll along the sun-kissed Mediterranean coast, soak up the vibrant atmosphere, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the French Riviera.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Nice

  • Nice
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  • #ILoveNICE
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Begin your day with a guided sightseeing tour of Nice, often referred to as the 'Queen of the French Riviera'. Discover the winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, a historical area that has retained its 18th-century charm. After the tour, enjoy a delicious breakfast before spending the rest of the day at your leisure.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Journey to Arles

  • Nice
  • Arles
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Bid farewell to Nice as you board a motorcoach bound for Arles. Upon arrival, check into your Avalon Suite Ship and settle in for the night. Enjoy a sumptuous dinner onboard as you prepare for the next day's adventures.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Arles to Avignon

  • Avignon
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  • L'espace Van Gogh
  • Arles Amphitheatre
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Start your day with a power walk in Arles or attend a painting workshop inspired by Vincent van Gogh. Afterward, join a guided walking tour to explore the city's Roman Amphitheater and other historical sites. Enjoy some free time at Le Café Van Gogh before sailing to Avignon. Onboard, indulge in a crêpes lunch and look forward to an overnight stay in Avignon.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Discovering Avignon

  • Avignon
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  • Palais des Papes
  • Pont du Gard Museum
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Embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Avignon, a fortress city encircled by ramparts. Visit the magnificent Palace of the Popes and take optional excursions to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Spend the rest of the day exploring Avignon's art, culture, and historic monuments. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Avignon to Viviers and Tain L'Hermitage

  • Avignon
  • Tain-l'Hermitage
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Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers. Upon arrival, choose between a guided walk to Viviers' hilltop Cathedral or a culinary exploration of the Old Town. In the afternoon, you may opt for an additional excursion. As the day ends, set sail for Tain L'Hermitage, where you'll spend the night.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Tain L'Hermitage to Tournon and Lyon

  • Tain-l'Hermitage
  • Lyon
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Start your day with a morning hike in Tournon or join a guided walking tour to explore one of France's oldest medieval cities and its 16th-century castle. In the early afternoon, cruise to Lyon. Onboard, enjoy a pastry demonstration and a French cuisine tasting dinner with wine pairing. Spend the night docked in Lyon.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Lyon to Tournus

  • Lyon
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  • Place Bellecour
  • Tour d'Oingt
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Discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France with a culinary walk through the city. Alternatively, join a guided sightseeing tour to explore Lyon's iconic sites, including Fourvière Hill and the lively cafés and monuments of Place des Terreaux. In the evening, enjoy a unique dinner onboard inspired by legendary chef Paul Bocuse before sailing to Tournus.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône

Day 9: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône

  • Royal Monastery of Brou
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Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region, famous for its Chardonnay vineyards. Attend a wine-tasting in the cellars of a medieval castle and learn about the wines produced here. Later, enjoy a delicious cheese tasting onboard. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment as you cruise to Chalon-sur-Saône for an overnight stay.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Chalon-sur-Saône to Beaune, Paris, and Vernon

  • Vernon
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  • Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
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Drive to Beaune and visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital, a stunning example of French architecture. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris, where you'll board your Suite Ship. Cruise to Vernon for an overnight stay.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Vernon to Les Andelys and Caudebec

  • Les Andelys
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  • Château Gaillard
  • Fondation Monet in Giverny
  • Biotropica, animal gardens
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Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles or take a guided tour of Giverny, the home of impressionist painter Claude Monet. Alternatively, visit Bizy Castle, often referred to as 'Normandy's Versailles'. Enjoy a traditional French luncheon onboard before cruising to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. Here, hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard or take a guided walking tour of the town. Cruise to Caudebec for an overnight stay.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Exploring Caudebec

Day 12: Exploring Caudebec

  • Valmont Abbey
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Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river or take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route, home to more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the old seaside town of Honfleur. Spend another night in Caudebec.

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Day 13

Day 13 – Day 13: Caudebec to Normandy and Rouen

  • Rouen
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  • Bayeux Cathedral
  • Botanical Garden
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Join a guided tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. Alternatively, take a full-day guided tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites or join 'A Taste of Normandy' guided tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment onboard before cruising to Rouen for an overnight stay.

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Day 14

Day 14 – Day 14: Rouen to Conflans

  • Rouen
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  • Évreux Cathedral
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Take a guided bike tour to explore Rouen's famous monuments and hidden gems or join a guided walking tour of the city, home to the martyred Joan of Arc. Visit the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock and Notre-Dame Cathedral. In the evening, cruise to Conflans for an overnight stay.

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Day 15

Day 15 – Day 15: Conflans to Paris

  • Paris
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  • Château de Malmaison
  • Queen's House
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Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine or join a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, the home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh. Alternatively, take a guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison, home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. In the evening, cruise to Paris for an overnight stay.

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Day 16

Day 16 – Day 16: Exploring Paris

  • Paris
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  • Louvre Museum
  • Eiffel Tower
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Experience the Seine river by foot or discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating guided walk. Alternatively, join a guided city tour to see iconic sites such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Spend the rest of the day exploring Paris at your own pace before another overnight stay in the city.

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Day 17

Day 17 – Day 17: Paris to London

  • Paris
  • London
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Say goodbye to your Avalon portion of your vacation after breakfast. An included transfer delivers you to the train station. Travel to London by high-speed Eurostar train. Upon arrival in London, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

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Day 18

Day 18 – Day 18: Exploring London

  • London
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  • Horniman Museum and Gardens
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Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour of London's famous landmarks, including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. Visit St. Paul's Cathedral, an iconic feature of London's skyline. After the tour, enjoy a delicious breakfast before spending the rest of the day at your leisure.

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Day 19

Day 19 – Day 19: Free Time in London

  • London
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Enjoy a free day to explore this spectacular city at your own pace. You could take a flight on the London Eye for fantastic views over the city, or visit Windsor Castle. In the evening, see one of the dozens of celebrated West End shows, or enjoy dinner at a traditional London pub, followed by a relaxing nighttime cruise on the Thames River.

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Day 20

Day 20 – Day 20: Departure from London

  • London - Departure day
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Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. After checking out of your hotel, proceed to the airport for your return flight home, taking with you the memories of a truly unforgettable journey through France and England.

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