Grand France – Cruise Only Northbound
Overview
Highlights
- Onboard welcome reception; sail into the Camargue region (daylight permitting)
- Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop
- Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes
- Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral
- Guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Vienne
- Guided sightseeing, picture stop on Fourvière Hill
- Day at leisure; cheese tasting on board
- Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; TGV train from Dijon to Paris; onboard welcome reception
- Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle; choice of guided walk, or guided hike in Les Andelys
- Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route”, or walk in the Natural Park; lecture on board
What's this trip about?
Popular Trips
Itinerary
ARLES, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Your Suite Ship® is ready for boarding. Before dinner sail toward the mouth of the Rhône for a taste of the tranquil vistas of Camargue National Park (daylight permitting). OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (D)
ARLES Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights CLASSIC 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 that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh, OR: DISCOVERY Atte...
AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence CLASSIC 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 ...
VIVIERS World History in a Charming French Country Village CLASSIC 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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNON (B,L,D)
TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAGE A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of ...
LYON Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France CLASSIC 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, monu...
ST. JEAN DE LOSNE Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône Enjoy a leisurely cruising day along the majestic Saône River. Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar, or to the Castle of Cormatin. DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship. Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (B,L,D)
ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (DISEMBARKATION)—BEAUNE—DIJON—PARIS (EMBARKATION) Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris. CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgme...
VERNON Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see M...
CAUDEBEC Churches, Cherry Orchards, and White Cliffs of Normandy ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Jog in Normandy’s town of Caudebec. CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augusti...
CAUDEBEC. NORMANDY EXCURSIONS Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions CLASSIC 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, ...
ROUEN The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and a Heroine for France ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Walk. CLASSIC 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,...
CONFLANS In the Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Jos...
PARIS Cafés, Cathedrals, & Canvases—The City of Lights Truly Shines ACTIVE Take a Morning Walk with your Avalon Adventure Host to see Paris at first light. CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour through the Heart of Paris to see the historic Île St. Louis, Île de la...
PARIS (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
- Special Interest Cruises: Wine Appreciation October 14 & October 28 & October 29, 75th Anniversary of D-Day WWII History & Remembrance May 27 (Seine section), WWII History & Remembrance May 28 & June 11 (Seine section)
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Avalon Waterways Reviews & Ratings
Other Avalon Waterways Reviews
My husband and I went on our first trip from Amsterdam to Basel. It was so great and as it was my first big OE the sights were very breath-taking.
The Avalon was so wonderful and all staff were very helpful in many ways, we couldn't fault the ship or staff. Would recommend Avalon river cruises. The rooms are lo...
Great Staff
The staff was interactive, polite, and memorable. We were lucky enough to have met and interacted with the staff on 2 different boats. Avalon handled the necessary c...
Avalon consistency—good!
Cabins always great. Food very good. I wish there were semi-dry white wine offered at dinner. (Rieslings, not dry). Christmas market in Colmar was not enjoyable, way...
Travelers also viewed
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations