Grand France for Wine Lovers – Cruise Only

15 days
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River Cruise
Enjoy wine, cheese, and stunning scenery on your France river cruise on the Seine and Rhône Rivers. You’ll have a choice of historical excursions in Normandy, including the famed landing beaches, Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. Visit Joan of Arc’s Rouen, and choose from Claude Monet’s Giverny or Bizy Castle; Vincent Van Gogh’s Auver-sur-Oise...

Overview

Trip type
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • 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 hike in the Natural Park; lecture on board
    • Choice of full day excursion to Normandy landing beaches, or “A Taste of Normandy” excursion
    • Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral
    • Choice of excursions to Auvers-sur-Oise, or Napoleon and Josephine’s Château de Malmaison
    • Choice of guided sightseeing, or “Heart of Paris” walk, visit Notre Dame Cathedral
    • TGV train from Paris to Dijon. Motorcoach transfer to Beaune, visit the Hôtel-Dieu or join a wine tasting in a local cellar; onboard welcome reception
    • Leisurely cruising; onboard lecture about wine; free time in Mâcon or Chardonnay excursion
    • Onboard wine and cheese tasting; guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill

What's this trip about?

    Enjoy wine, cheese, and stunning scenery on your France river cruise on the Seine and Rhône Rivers. You’ll have a choice of historical excursions in Normandy, including the famed landing beaches, Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. Visit Joan of Arc’s Rouen, and choose from Claude Monet’s Giverny or Bizy Castle; Vincent Van Gogh’s Auver-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. Before you embark on the beautiful Seine River, you’ll spend time in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic cities! The “City of Lights” is home to Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum, and you can take a guided walk to see the Île St. Louis and ascend the Eiffel Tower. Taste some of Burgundy wines on board your ship, and visit the Chardonnay wine region. Cruise to France’s culinary capital of Lyon, and visit the Place des Terreaux fountain of famous postcards, then visit the Beaujolais region to taste famous wines. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, where you’ll go on a guided walk of 16th-century sites in Tournon, followed by a wine and chocolate tasting. Cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes and enjoy a wine tasting on a visit to the Châteauneuf du Pape wine country. Sail on the Rhône River to Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh. In the second portion of your cruise a Master of Wine will travel with you and share lectures, tastings and food and wine pairing expertise.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityPARIS
End CityARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • France

Attractions

  • Arles
  • Avignon
  • Burgundy
  • Dijon
  • Giverny
  • Lyon
  • Normandy
  • Paris
  • Rouen
  • Vienne

Activities

  • Culture
  • River cruise

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Bienvenue en France! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day is free to explore the world’s most romantic city before starting your cruise on the ...

Day 2

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 ...

Day 3

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...

Day 4

CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the WWII landing beaches of Normandy, with a full-day tour of significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and...

Day 5

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 Saint Joan of Arc—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomica...

Day 6

CONFLANS Walk 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 w...

Day 7

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...

Day 8

PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)—DIJON—BEAUNE—ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (EMBARKATION)—SEURRE Take a High-Speed Train from Paris to Dijon before driving to Beaune. CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Jud...

Day 9

MÂCON Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River. DISCOVERY Onboard lecture hosted by your Master of Wine. DISCOVERY Take an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX (B,L,D)

Day 10

LYON Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France Sail for lovely Lyon this morning. DISCOVERY Enjoy a delicious Wine and Cheese tasting hosted by your Master of Wine on board your ship. CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from...

Day 11

LYON French Food and Wine—La Vie En Rose in Lyon DISCOVERY Take an excursion to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine. Enjoy a free day in Lyon, or choose a Guided Optional Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is k...

Day 12

TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAGE A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards DISCOVERY 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 o...

Day 13

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, OR: DISCOVERY Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Ch...

Day 14

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. Consider a Guided...

Day 15

ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Dates & Availability

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Last Updated: 5/24/2019

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

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Avalon waterways went out of their way to accommodate our early morning arrival.

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Nov 2023

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It was the Paris to Normandy then to…

It was the Paris to Normandy then to Marseille 14 day cruise. The whole cruise was terrible, ports were bypassed, crew was very inexperienced, the restaurant was uno...

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Avalon Waterways

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CRUISING ELEVATED.
Innovative, transformative, original. Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and
away from the ordinary. Delivering unparalleled experiences and boundless exploration, Avalon puts you in the captain’s seat to navigate your journey, fuel your passions and steer clear of the unexpected as you cruise down the world’s most memorable and mesmerizing waterways. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and you’ll see how the tides they are a-changin’. 

Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

IT DOESN’T GET ANY SUITER.
Enjoy the perfect blend of elegance and ease – where little touches are bold, gestures are grand and the views even grander. There’s a reason our ships are the critics’ darlings and favorites among our most discerning guests. Our boutique-hotel-inspired Panorama Suites feature the industry’s only Open-Air Balconies with the widest-opening windows in cruising and decadent Comfort Collection beds that face the ever-changing scenery.

PACK YOUR PASSIONS.
As you set sail down the world’s most legendary waters, we’ve curated a collection of the most intriguing experiences to immerse yourself in – both on board and off.

SEE MORE THAN THE SEA/
On a typical cruise, you see waves, water and more water. On an Avalon cruise, legendary landmarks and postcard-perfect landscapes are always in view. Dock to discovery takes mere minutes. 

LET’S DISH.
While we naturally present the signature delicacies of the regions you visit, we enrich the gastronomic journey by offering multiple dining venues, bringing unexpected culinary experiences to the table.

What they’re known for
River cruises to classic and exotic destinations with a luxury flair and personalization options.

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Logistics

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
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Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Optional Activities
WPL-T1|Take this cruise with land stays
Trip ID
AVALON-WPL0-T1

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