Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 3 Nights in London for Jazz Lovers (Northbound) 2025
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 20-day journey through the heart of France and England, exploring the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of these iconic destinations. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of guided sightseeing, immersive activities, and leisure time to explore at your own pace. From the sun-kissed French Riviera to the bustling streets of London, you'll discover the timeless charm of ancient cities, the allure of world-renowned landmarks, and the captivating stories that shaped these regions. Enjoy the comfort of overnight stays in premium accommodations, savor authentic local cuisine, and create unforgettable memories as you experience the best of France and England.
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
Avalon Poetry II or Avalon Tapestry II
2 nights in Nice
14 nights onboard cruise ships
3 nights in kindin
Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
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
Map
Attractions
#ILoveNICE
Cleres Zoological Park
Château Gaillard
Louvre Museum
Fondation Monet in Giverny
Bayeux Cathedral
Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower
Wardown Park
Arles Amphitheatre
Botanical Garden
Place Bellecour
Évreux Cathedral
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Arbre de la Liberté
Biotropica, animal gardens
London StadiumDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in France
- Nice - Arrival day
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Welcome to France! Start your journey with a day of leisure on the spectacular French Riviera, a stunning stretch of Mediterranean coastline. Enjoy the freedom to explore this sun-drenched region at your own pace.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Nice
- Nice
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- #ILoveNICE
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Discover the charm of Nice, the 'Queen of the French Riviera'. Embark on a guided sightseeing tour through the winding streets of Vieux Nice, the city's old town, where you'll marvel at baroque churches and architecture that dates back to the 1700s.
Day 3 – Day 3: Journey to Arles
- Nice
- Arles
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Bid farewell to Nice as you board your Avalon Suite Ship® for a scenic cruise to Arles. Enjoy the comfort of your suite and the ship's amenities as you sail along the French coast. Overnight docking in Arles.
Day 4 – Day 4: Discovering Arles and Sailing to Avignon
- Arles
- Vaucluse
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- Arles Amphitheatre
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Immerse yourself in the captivating city of Arles, the heart of the Provence region. Choose from a variety of activities, including a power walk, a painting workshop, or a guided walking tour that includes a visit to the Roman Amphitheater. Enjoy a glass of wine at Le Café Van Gogh before sailing to Avignon, where you'll be treated to live jazz entertainment in the evening.
Day 5 – Day 5: Free Day
- Avignon
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Enjoy a day at your leisure. Relax, explore, or participate in optional activities. The choice is yours!
Day 6 – Day 6: From Viviers to Tournon
- Avignon
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Sail to the charming village of Viviers in the morning. Choose between a leisurely walk to Viviers' hilltop cathedral with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour of the village, where you'll discover its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town. In the evening, cruise to Tournon.
Day 7 – Day 7: Exploring Tournon and Sailing to Vienne
Day 7: Exploring Tournon and Sailing to Vienne
Start your day with a morning hike in Tournon or a guided walking tour of the city, where you'll see a 16th-century castle and Roman ruins. As you sail to Vienne, enjoy jazz entertainment onboard. In Vienne, join a guided walk through this charming French hill town and attend the well-known Vienne Jazz Festival in the evening.
Day 8 – Day 8: From Vienne to Lyon and Tournus
- Lyon
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- Place Bellecour
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Join a guided sightseeing tour of Lyon, the gastronomy capital of France. Explore the city from Fourvière Hill and discover the Old Town's medieval alleyways and the lively cafés and monuments of Place des Terreaux. In the evening, cruise to Tournus while enjoying the strains of Gypsy Jazz onboard.
Day 9 – Day 9: Wine and Cheese in the Mâconnais Region
Day 9: Wine and Cheese in the Mâconnais Region
Travel to the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region, famous for its Chardonnay vineyards. Learn about the wines produced here and attend a wine-tasting in the cellars of a medieval castle. Later, enjoy a delicious cheese tasting onboard your ship. In the evening, dock in Chalon-sur-Saône.
Day 10 – Day 10: Beaune to Paris
- Beaune
- Dijon
- Paris
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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 15th-century architectural gem. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris, where you'll board your Suite Ship® for the next leg of your journey.
Day 11 – Day 11: From Paris to Giverny, Vernon, Les Andelys, and Caudebec
- Paris
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- Château Gaillard
- Fondation Monet in Giverny
- Biotropica, animal gardens
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Visit Giverny, the home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet, or Bizy Castle, known as 'Normandy's Versailles'. Enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic crêpes, followed by a pastry demonstration. In the afternoon, explore the picturesque town of Les Andelys, where you can hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard or take a guided walking tour of the town. Cruise to Caudebec in the evening.
Day 12 – Day 12: Exploring the Normandy Abbeys Route
- Honfleur
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Take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route, where over 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit the old seaside town of Honfleur. Overnight docking in Caudebec.
Day 13 – Day 13: Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions
- Rouen
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- Bayeux Cathedral
- Botanical Garden
- Arbre de la Liberté
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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 'Taste of Normandy' guided tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. Visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry and taste Calvados at a local distillery. In the evening, cruise to Rouen.
Day 14 – Day 14: From Rouen to Conflans
- Franconville-la-Garenne
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- Cleres Zoological Park
- Évreux Cathedral
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Explore Rouen, the home of the martyred Joan of Arc, on a guided bike tour or a guided walking tour. Discover the city's medieval quarter, the 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and the Notre-Dame Cathedral. In the evening, cruise to Conflans.
Day 15 – Day 15: From Conflans to Auvers-sur-Oise and Paris
- Franconville-la-Garenne
- Paris
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Visit Auvers-sur-Oise, the home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, or take a guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison, home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. You may also choose to visit the Palace of Versailles. In the evening, cruise to Paris.
Day 16 – Day 16: Exploring Paris
- Paris
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- Louvre Museum
- Arc de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower
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Discover the city of light on a guided city tour that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Spend the rest of the day exploring Paris at your own pace or relaxing at a literary café on the Left Bank.
Day 17 – Day 17: From Paris to London
- Paris
- London
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Bid adieu 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.
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, including all of the city's famous landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall's mounted horseguards, the Prime Minister's Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus. Then, visit St. Paul's Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren's masterpiece with its world-famous dome.
Day 19 – Day 19: Free Time in London
Day 19: Free Time in London
- Wardown Park
- London Stadium
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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.
Day 20 – Day 20: Departure from London
Day 20: Departure from London
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Depart at your leisure.
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