Grand France with 3 Nights in London for Jazz Lovers (Northbound) 2025
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 18-day journey through the heart of France and England. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of history, culture, art, and gastronomy. From the sun-drenched landscapes of Provence to the charming French country villages, from the iconic landmarks of Paris to the historic sites of London, every day brings a new adventure. You'll explore ancient abbeys, medieval castles, world-renowned museums, and stunning palaces. You'll also indulge in local delicacies, attend painting workshops, and even participate in wine and cheese tastings. Whether you're an art enthusiast, a history buff, a foodie, or simply a lover of travel, this tour promises a rich and diverse experience that will leave you with lasting memories.
Included
14 nights onboard cruise ships
3 nights in London
Avalon Poetry II or Avalon Tapestry II or similar
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
Marseille
Paris
Beaune
Lyon
Arles
Vernon
Avignon
RouenMap
Attractions
Cleres Zoological Park
Champ de Mars
Château Gaillard
Louvre Museum
Bayeux Cathedral
Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
Arc de Triomphe
Eiffel Tower
Wardown Park
Arles Amphitheatre
Luton Hoo Estate
Palais Garnier
Place Bellecour
Évreux Cathedral
Horniman Museum and Gardens
Biotropica, animal gardens
London StadiumDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Marseille to Arles
- Marseille
- Arles - Arrival day
- More
Welcome to France! Your journey begins in the vibrant city of Marseille. Please ensure your flight arrives by 3 pm and board your Suite Ship by 5 pm. We'll then set sail for Arles, where we'll dock overnight. Dinner will be served on board.
Day 2 – Day 2: Arles to Avignon
- Arles
- Avignon
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- Arles Amphitheatre
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Today, immerse yourself in the captivating city of Arles. Choose from a power walk, a painting workshop inspired by Vincent van Gogh, or a guided walking tour featuring the Roman Amphitheater. Enjoy some free time at Le Café Van Gogh before we sail to Avignon. In the evening, unwind with live jazz entertainment on board.
Day 3 – Day 3: 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 photos of the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet. Optional excursions to the Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard or the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are also available. Spend the rest of the day exploring Avignon's art, culture, and museums at your own pace. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.
Day 4 – Day 4: Viviers to Tournon
Day 4: Viviers to Tournon
Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers. Choose between a guided walk to Viviers' hilltop cathedral with your Adventure Host or a guided walking tour of this charming village, known for its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town. As the day winds down, we'll set sail for Tournon.
Day 5 – Day 5: Tournon to Vienne
Day 5: Tournon to Vienne
Today, explore Tournon, one of France's oldest medieval cities. Choose between a morning hike, a guided walking tour featuring the city's 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, or a jazz entertainment onboard while sailing to Vienne. In Vienne, join a guided walk through this charming French hill town. In the evening, enjoy the well-known Vienne Jazz Festival.
Day 6 – Day 6: Lyon to Tournus
- Lyon
- More
- Place Bellecour
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Survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill and explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways on a guided sightseeing tour. Visit the lively cafés, monuments, and the famed fountain of Place des Terreaux. In the evening, enjoy the strains of Gypsy Jazz, a style of jazz often said to have been started by guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt in the 1930s. We'll then cruise to Tournus.
Day 7 – Day 7: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
Day 7: Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
Travel into 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 real medieval castle. Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting onboard. In the evening, enjoy live entertainment as we sail to Chalon-sur-Saône.
Day 8 – Day 8: Beaune to Paris
- Beaune
- Paris
- Vernon
- More
- Hôtel-Dieu Museum - Hospices de Beaune
- More
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, where you'll board your Suite Ship. We'll then set sail for Vernon.
Day 9 – Day 9: Vernon to Les Andelys
- Vernon
- Les Andelys
- More
- Château Gaillard
- Fondation Monet in Giverny
- Biotropica, animal gardens
- More
Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles or take a guided tour of Giverny, the home and inspiration of Claude Monet. Alternatively, visit Bizy Castle, known as 'Normandy’s Versailles'. Enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic crêpes, followed by a pastry demonstration. In the afternoon, cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. Here, you can hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard or take a guided walking tour of Les Andelys. We'll then set sail for Caudebec.
Day 10 – Day 10: Exploring Caudebec
Day 10: Exploring Caudebec
Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river or take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route, where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine. In the afternoon, you may choose a guided optional excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.
Day 11 – Day 11: Caudebec to Rouen
- Rouen
- More
- Bayeux Cathedral
- Botanical Garden
- Arbre de la Liberté
- More
Join a guided tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship as we sail to Rouen.
Day 12 – Day 12: Rouen to Conflans
- Rouen
- More
- Cleres Zoological Park
- Évreux Cathedral
- More
Take a guided bike tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, or take a guided walking tour of Rouen, home of the martyred Joan of Arc, and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. We'll then set sail for Conflans.
Day 13 – Day 13: Conflans to Paris
- Paris
- More
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 afternoon, you may choose to join a guided optional excursion to the Palace of Versailles. We'll then set sail for Paris.
Day 14 – Day 14: Exploring Paris
- Paris
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- Louvre Museum
- Arc de Triomphe
- Eiffel Tower
- More
Experience the Seine river by foot or discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating guided walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more. 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, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.
Day 15 – Day 15: Paris to London
- Paris
- More
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 (Standard class).
Day 16 – Day 16: Exploring London
Day 16: Exploring London
- Luton Hoo Estate
- Horniman Museum and Gardens
- London Stadium
- More
Enjoy a morning guided sightseeing including all of London’s famous landmarks. Drive past the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben; Westminster Abbey, where Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were married; Whitehall’s mounted horseguards; the Prime Minister’s Downing Street; Buckingham Palace and Piccadilly Circus. Then, visit St. Paul’s Cathedral (except on Sundays). Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece with its world-famous dome is an iconic feature of London’s skyline.
Day 17 – Day 17: Free Time in London
Day 17: Free Time in London
- Wardown Park
- London Stadium
- More
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, for a tour of the magnificent State Apartments. 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 18 – Day 18: Departure from London
Day 18: Departure from London
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
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