Style : River cruise
Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) tour
Arles Avignon Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) Trip

Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)

Avalon Waterways
4.7 . Excellent
97%
Travel Style: Array Relaxed
Physical Level: Normal generally flat walking in urban or suburban environments. Very Easy
Lodging Level: Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels. Value (3*)
8 days
From: $ 3,499 $ 437 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Guided walk in Tournus; onboard cheese tasting
  • Choice of guided sightseeing; with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
  • Culinary tour
  • Guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral
  • Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes
  • Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop or walk with your Adventure Host
  • Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France
  • Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture

Short Description

Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. You’ll have plenty of time to explore this historical city further and be sure to sample Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the city of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, where you’ll go on a guided walk. Continue your river cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.

Style River cruise
See all the highlights and popular spots on a classic tour.
Itinerary Focus Classic Highlights
Mid-range budget with accommodations ranging from comfortable lodges, guesthouses, and homestays to three star hotels.
Lodging Level Value (3*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions N/A
Start City CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE
End City ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning

Destinations

France

Attractions & Cities Visited

Arles Avignon Burgundy Dijon Lyon Paris

Activities & Interests

Culture River cruise

N/A
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Itinerary

Day 1

CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

Flights into Lyon must arrive by 2 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS

(D)

Day 2

TOURNUS Pearl of Southern Burgundy

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.

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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX

(B,L,D)

Day 3

LYON La Vie En Rose in Lyon

Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.

ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR:

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, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.

DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance your lecture on board your ship.

Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(B,L,D)

Day 4

LYON Adventures in Food and Wine

DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France.

The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals.

EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON

(B,L,D)

Day 5

TOURNON 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 the Hermitage.

Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.

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.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON

(B,L,D)

Day 6

AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

Join your Adventrue Host for today’s special activities.

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 Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.

Explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.

Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

(B,L,D)

Day 7

ARLES Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights

ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:

DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. You’ll create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:

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.

Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) a unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.

Take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

(B,L,D)

Day 8

ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.

(B)

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 3,499
Price Per Day: $ 437 per day
Checking price
Start DateFinish DateBase PriceDeparture GuaranteedAvailability 
Jun-13-2023Jun-20-2023$ 4,199YesAvailable Reserve
Jul-11-2023Jul-18-2023$ 4,099YesAvailable Reserve
Jul-25-2023Aug-01-2023$ 4,099YesAvailable Reserve
Aug-22-2023Aug-29-2023$ 4,199YesAvailable Reserve
Sep-05-2023Sep-12-2023$ 4,299YesAvailable Reserve
Oct-03-2023Oct-10-2023$ 4,199YesAvailable Reserve
Oct-17-2023Oct-24-2023$ 3,999YesAvailable Reserve
Oct-31-2023Nov-07-2023$ 3,599YesPlease Call Reserve
Nov-14-2023Nov-21-2023$ 3,499YesAvailable Reserve
Apr-09-2024Apr-16-2024$ 3,899YesAvailable Reserve
Apr-23-2024Apr-30-2024$ 4,099YesAvailable Reserve
May-07-2024May-14-2024$ 4,299YesAvailable Reserve
Jun-04-2024Jun-11-2024$ 4,299NoSold Out Reserve
Jun-18-2024Jun-25-2024$ 4,299YesAvailable Reserve
Jul-16-2024Jul-23-2024$ 4,199YesAvailable Reserve
Aug-13-2024Aug-20-2024$ 4,199YesAvailable Reserve
Sep-10-2024Sep-17-2024$ 4,399YesAvailable Reserve
Sep-24-2024Oct-01-2024$ 4,399YesAvailable Reserve
Oct-08-2024Oct-15-2024$ 4,199YesAvailable Reserve
Oct-22-2024Oct-29-2024$ 3,899YesAvailable Reserve
Nov-05-2024Nov-12-2024$ 3,699YesAvailable Reserve
Nov-19-2024Nov-26-2024$ 3,599YesAvailable Reserve
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Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Avalon Waterways .

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.

1,595 Avalon Waterways Travel Reviews & Ratings

97%
4.7 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 1,371
Great 131
Average 44
Disappointing 14
Terrible 35
Value
4.7
Guide
4.7
Activities
4.7
Lodging
4.7
Transportation
4.7
Meals
4.7

Burgundy & Provence (Southbound)

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Company Reviews

South of France

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
My mom, cousin and I had the best time sailing through the south of France with Avalon. Everything about the ship was incredible from the Cruise Director to the local guides who took us around their home towns, from the gourmet meals to the cheese tasting on board, and the stunning cabins with the beds that face the window. My favorite thing was going to a truffle farm and watching the dogs hunt for truffles, then eating them in the farm's tasting room. I can't wait for my next cruise with Avalon!
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We had a fabulous cruise

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
We had a fabulous cruise. We love Avalon. Everything was perfect from the food, to the service, to the state room. We did the active in discovery Holland and Belgium, which featured lots of great excursions. Our cruise Director Bram and our hotel manager Akos were just amazing. It was such a great time.
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Avalon Waterways cannot be trusted

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Avalon Waterways cannot be trusted! We had a horrible experience with the company recently on a trip to Egypt, the Nile River along with Cairo, on what we’re supposed to be their riverboat, MS Farah. After we had paid for the trip in full we were sent an email saying the boat “is unavailable and you will now be sailing instead on the MS Movenpick Hamees. There was nothing we could do because of a disclaimer saying they could change the boat at any time. The boat we ended up traveling on, was in horrible shape, old and run down. We had traveled with Avalon previously, on one of their beautiful newer boats, which is why we decided to use them again. Also, the trip was supposed to be adult only and ended up having many families with babies and children on board. This was a completely different experience than we expected. To add insult to injury while we were going down the Nile, the boat we were supposed to be on floated by us, MS Farah. Our whole Avalon group of 28 passengers were irate. Please heed my warning.
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Awesome Cruise

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
We just took our second Avalon river cruise, the Tulip Cruise thru Netherlands and Belgium, which was a beautiful experience. It didnt hurt that the weather was great. Prior one and still my favorite was the Rhine Cruise.
Wife loves the experience. Food and service were great with many options and the kitchen/serving staff went out of their way to accommodate some special dietary needs. They had an hour long free happy hour every day before dinner and a cookie/coffee bar all day. Rooms were cleaned on a daily basis. Tour options were very good, especially the tour to the medieval city Bruges and the Keukenhof gardens. Their bed placement facing the outside windows is a winner. We highly recommend Avalon.
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Amazing tulip river cruise

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Did a tulip cruise with Avalon this spring and it was an amazing experience. The ship was beautiful, the crew were fantastic and the food was delicious. If you haven't taken a river cruise before, this is the way to travel. I can't imagine going back on a ship with 3000 people. I'll stick with Avalon. Can't wait to go again!
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dO nOt BoOk ThEsE tRiPs

1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Honest, helpful, and conSTRUCTIVE?!?!?!?! NO! NUH UH!!!!!!!!! I spent sooooooooooooooooooooo much money on this that I had to go to that place to get that credit card because I couldn't afford my daily gallon of wine. this site makes absolutely no sense and I just want you to know that it's a scam. I clicked on the amazon one and it led me to some off-brand version of amazon called," nozama". I bought 8 "nuggets" (no further explanation needed) For $40,000 and they were never delivered. I gave them some of my personal information that didn't really matter; social security, phone number, exact location, etc. I even emailed them back when they said I could get a coupon UP TO $999,999,999,999, but when I gave them MORE of my info, I only got a $0.01 coupon. Like, WHAT THE FIGS?!?!?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?? WHY DID MY WIFE LEAVE ME? WHY DID MY SON DIE IN A CAR CRASH??? Why am I here...?
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Details

Deck & Cabin Plans

Accommodations










Trip ID#:

AVALON-WJL

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