Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Paris & 2 Nights in French Riviera (Southbound) 2025
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 12-day immersive journey through the heart of France, exploring its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. This multi-day tour takes you from the romantic city of Paris, through the gastronomic capital of Lyon, to the sun-drenched French Riviera. Discover architectural marvels, indulge in exquisite cuisine, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Visit iconic landmarks like the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of the Popes. Explore charming villages, taste world-renowned wines, and even try your hand at painting in the style of Van Gogh. Whether you're a history buff, a foodie, or an art lover, this tour offers a unique and unforgettable French experience.
Included
9 nights of accommodation onboard an Avalon Waterways River cruise ship
2 nights in Nice
stateroom-suite: 11 night(s); Avalon Poetry II: Avalon Deluxe Stateroom ,Panorama Suite ,Royal Suite
Avalon Waterways River cruise ship
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
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
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
Destinations
Nice
Dijon
Paris
Beaune
Lyon
Arles
AvignonMap
Attractions
Pont du Gard
Palais des Papes
Champ de Mars
Château de Crussol
Louvre Museum
Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower
Arles Amphitheatre
Palais Garnier
Château de Grignan
Place Bellecour
place des VosgesDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Paris
- Paris - Arrival day
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Welcome to the city of love, Paris! Spend your first day exploring at your own pace. Marvel at the city's architectural icons, indulge in exquisite French cuisine, shop at chic boutiques, and discover priceless artistic treasures.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Paris
- Paris
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- Champ de Mars
- Louvre Museum
- Arc de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower
- Cluny Museum - National Museum of the Middle Ages
- Palais Garnier
- place des Vosges
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Join a guided city tour to explore the iconic sites of Paris, including 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, or visit Montmartre’s Basilica of the Sacré Cœur. Consider browsing Paris’ classic shopping avenues and literary cafés for a true Parisian experience, or have your portrait sketched by a Parisian artist in the square at Place du Tertre.
Day 3 – Day 3: Paris to Dijon, Beaune, Chalon-sur-Saône, and Tournus
- Paris
- Dijon
- Beaune
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- Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
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Take a high-speed train from Paris to Dijon, then drive to Beaune. Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital, a 15th-century architectural marvel that houses Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgment. In the afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship® for an overnight docking in Tournus.
Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring Tournus and Trévoux
Day 4: Exploring Tournus and Trévoux
- Cluny Abbey
- Château de Cormatin Stephen Abragan
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Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region. Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town. Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin. Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship. Overnight docking in Trévoux.
Day 5 – Day 5: Trévoux to Lyon
- Lyon
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- Mini World Lyon
- Place Bellecour
- Tour d'Oingt
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Sail for lovely Lyon this morning. Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. 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. Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance your lecture on board your ship. Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner. Overnight docking in Lyon.
Day 6 – Day 6: Exploring Lyon and Tournon
- Lyon
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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. Evening cruise to Tournon.
Day 7 – Day 7: Tournon, Viviers, and Avignon
- Avignon
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- Train de l'Ardèche
- Viaduc de Vogüé
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Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch. 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. Evening/overnight cruise to Avignon.
Day 8 – Day 8: Avignon to Arles
- Avignon
- Arles
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- Pont du Gard
- Palais des Papes
- Pont du Gard Museum
- Château de Grignan
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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.
Day 9 – Day 9: Exploring Arles
- Arles
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- L'espace Van Gogh
- Arles Amphitheatre
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Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, or attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist. 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. Take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine. Overnight docking in Arles.
Day 10 – Day 10: Arles to Nice
- Arles
- Nice
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After breakfast this morning, you’ll drive to Nice on the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.
Day 11 – Day 11: Exploring Nice
- Nice
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- #ILoveNICE
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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.
Day 12 – Day 12: Farewell Nice
- Nice - Departure day
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Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
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