France's Finest Avignon to Paris

Start your French adventure as you fly into Marseille. From there, you'll be transferred to your ship docked in the picturesque town of Avignon. After settling in, take some time to explore the town's charming streets or join a welcome walk to get your bearings. End your day with a delightful dinner on board.

After breakfast, disembark and embark on a walking tour of Arles, a city renowned for its diverse architectural highlights and Roman ruins. Visit the impressive Les Arènes and the Romanesque Church of Saint-Trôphime. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Arles at your own pace before returning to the ship for dinner.

Start your day with a guided walk through Avignon, also known as the 'City of Popes'. Visit the historic center, the picturesque Pont d’Avignon, and the renowned Palace of the Popes. In the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a wine tasting. Later, we set sail for Viviers.

Join a morning walking tour of Viviers' Old Town, home to medieval and Renaissance buildings. Visit the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral before setting sail for Tournon in the afternoon.

Board the Train de l’Ardèche for a scenic ride through the Ardèche plateau. After lunch on board, arrive in Vienne, a town rich in Roman history. Visit the Temple of Augustus and Livia, and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice on a walking tour before dinner.

Disembark in Lyon for a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Basilica of Notre Dame and drive past the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral. Take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Town), with free time to shop for souvenirs or sample some of the fine French cuisine for which Lyon is world-famous.

After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where you'll enjoy a tasting in one of the region's famous cellars. Return to your ship for lunch and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

After breakfast, disembark and enjoy a leisurely train ride from Lyon through the countryside of east central France to Paris. Board your second ship in Paris, where a Welcome Dinner is served.

Embark on a tour of dazzling Paris, marveling at its most remarkable sights, including the iconic Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Drive past the Louvre and Opera House and along the famed Champs-Élysées. In the afternoon, you may choose to explore Montmartre Hill and the Sacré-Coeur or sample the delights of French cuisine during a food tour.

Arrive in La Roche-Guyon before breakfast and enjoy a morning at your leisure to explore. After lunch, join an included tour to the town of Giverny, where Claude Monet resided. Visit the beautiful gardens and charming stone farmhouse where he lived and worked.

Spend the afternoon in the medieval city of Rouen, the capital of Normandy. Begin with a walking tour through the center of Old Town, where you'll see the spectacular Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral and the famous Gros Horloge, a 16th-century astronomical clock.

After breakfast, begin your full-day tour to the historic beaches of Normandy. Visit World War II landmarks such as Omaha Beach, the American Military Cemetery, and Arromanches Debarkment D-Day Museum. Alternatively, you may choose to tour Bayeaux and admire the magnificent tapestry that chronicles the pre–Battle of Hastings events.

Arrive in the small town of Les Andelys, known for its imposing castle, Château Gaillard. Join a guided walk to this masterpiece of Middle Ages architecture before returning to your ship. Enjoy scenic sailing in the afternoon as you cruise toward Paris.

After breakfast, disembark for a visit to Château de Malmaison, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final days in France. In the afternoon, you may choose to join an optional tour to the luxurious Palace of Versailles. In the evening, take in the illuminated sights of Paris during a panoramic drive and cruise.

After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Alternatively, you can extend your stay in Paris with a 3-night extension to further explore France’s romantic capital.