Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera & 3 Nights in London (Northbound) 2025
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 20-day immersive journey through the heart of France and England. This multi-day tour offers a rich blend of history, culture, art, and gastronomy. From the sun-kissed French Riviera to the historic beaches of Normandy, from the artistic streets of Paris to the iconic landmarks of London, every day brings a new adventure. Enjoy guided sightseeing tours, wine and cheese tastings, painting workshops, and more. Discover the architectural marvels, stroll through picturesque villages, and explore the vibrant cities. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a food lover, or an art aficionado, this tour has something for everyone. The tour includes comfortable accommodation, delicious meals, and the services of an experienced tour guide to ensure a hassle-free and memorable vacation.
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 similar
2 nights in Nice
3 nights in London
14 nights of accommodation onboard an Avalon Waterways River cruise ship
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
Normandy American Cemetery
Palais des Papes
Château Gaillard
Louvre Museum
Bayeux Cathedral
Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower
Arles Amphitheatre
Évreux CathedralDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in France
- Nice - Arrival day
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Welcome to France! Start your journey with a leisurely exploration of the stunning French Riviera, stretching along France's Mediterranean coast. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in Nice, soaking up the sun and the spectacular views.
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'. A guided sightseeing tour takes you through the narrow, winding streets of Vieux Nice, the old city that has retained its 18th-century allure. Marvel at the baroque churches and enjoy a traditional French breakfast.
Day 3 – Day 3: Boarding the Avalon Suite Ship
- Nice
- Arles
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Today, you'll transfer by motorcoach to board your Avalon Suite Ship. Settle into your comfortable cabin and prepare for the exciting journey ahead. The ship will dock overnight in Arles, giving you a chance to enjoy the onboard amenities and a delicious dinner.
Day 4 – Day 4: Arles to Avignon
- Arles
- Avignon
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- Arles Amphitheatre
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Start your day with a power walk in Arles or attend a painting workshop to learn the techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Arles, visiting the Roman Amphitheater. Take some free time to stop at Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine before sailing to Avignon.
Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Avignon
- Avignon
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- Palais des Papes
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Discover the fortress city of Avignon with a guided sightseeing tour. Visit the magnificent Palace of the Popes and take optional excursions to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Enjoy the city's art, culture, and historic monuments before returning to the ship for live onboard entertainment.
Day 6 – Day 6: Viviers and Tain L'Hermitage
- Avignon
- Tain-l'Hermitage
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Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers. Take a guided walking tour of this charming village, exploring its pale-stone buildings and Romanesque cathedral. The old town is a blend of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. In the evening, cruise to Tain L'Hermitage.
Day 7 – Day 7: Tournon to Lyon
- Tain-l'Hermitage
- Lyon
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Explore Tournon on foot or take a guided walking tour of one of France's oldest medieval cities. Visit the 16th-century castle and see the Roman ruins. In the early afternoon, cruise to Lyon, the gastronomic heart of France.
Day 8 – Day 8: Lyon to Tournus
- Lyon
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Join a guided sightseeing tour of Lyon, exploring the city from Fourvière Hill and the Old Town. Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon's town squares and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. In the evening, sail to Tournus.
Day 9 – Day 9: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
Day 9: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
Travel into the Mâconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards and attend a wine-tasting in a real medieval castle. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruising along the majestic Saône River and a delicious cheese tasting on board your ship. In the evening, dock in Chalon-sur-Saône.
Day 10 – Day 10: Beaune to Paris
- 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 masterpiece of French architecture. In the afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris and board your Suite Ship. The ship will cruise to Vernon for an overnight stay.
Day 11 – Day 11: Vernon to Caudebec
- Paris
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- Château Gaillard
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Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles or take a guided tour of Giverny, the home of Claude Monet. Alternatively, visit Bizy Castle, known as 'Normandy's Versailles'. Enjoy a traditional French luncheon on board before cruising to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. Take a guided hike to the ruins of Château Gaillard or a walking tour of Les Andelys before cruising to Caudebec.
Day 12 – Day 12: Exploring Caudebec
Day 12: Exploring Caudebec
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. You may also choose an optional excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.
Day 13 – Day 13: Normandy and Rouen
- Rouen
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- Normandy American Cemetery
- Bayeux Cathedral
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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, cruise to Rouen.
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 take a guided walking tour of Rouen, home of 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.
Day 15 – Day 15: Conflans to Paris
- Paris
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Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine or join a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, 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.
Day 16 – Day 16: Exploring Paris
- Paris
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- Louvre Museum
- Arc de Triomphe
- 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 that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.
Day 17 – Day 17: Paris to London
- Paris
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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. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in this vibrant city.
Day 18 – Day 18: Exploring London
Day 18: Exploring London
Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing tour of London, driving 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, an iconic feature of London's skyline.
Day 19 – Day 19: Free Time in London
Day 19: Free Time in London
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. Take home beautiful memories of your multi-day tour through France and England.
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