Grand France for Wine Lovers - Cruise Only

15 days
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River Cruise
This river cruise highlighting the best of France is certainly grand! Enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful scenery, and stops in charming and historical parts of France. The second part of this cruise focuses on wine, and a Master of Wine will join you on board and share his expertise during lectures and tastings. Set out on the Seine River and see the historic Nor...

Overview

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

Highlights

    • Welcome reception
    • Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle; guided walk in Les Andelys, visit the parish church of Le Petit Andely
    • Excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route”; choice of excursions to Normandy landing beaches or “A Taste of Normandy”
    • Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral
    • Choice of excursions: visit Auvers-sur-Oise or Château de Malmaison
    • “Heart of Paris” walk , visit Notre Dame Cathedral
    • TGV train from Paris to Dijon. Motorcoach transfer to Beaune, visit the Hôtel-Dieu or wine tasting; onboard welcome reception
    • Leisurely cruising; free time in Mâcon
    • On board cheese and wine tasting; guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill
    • A morning to explore this fascinating city at leisure; excursion to Beaujolais; on board food and wine pairing dinner

What's this trip about?

    This river cruise highlighting the best of France is certainly grand! Enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful scenery, and stops in charming and historical parts of France. The second part of this cruise focuses on wine, and a Master of Wine will join you on board and share his expertise during lectures and tastings. Set out on the Seine River and see the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. Visit Joan of Arc’s Rouen, and make your choice between Claude Monet’s Giverny or Bizy Castle, and between Vincent van Gogh’s Auver-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. Before you depart the beautiful Seine River, you’ll spend time in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities. A guided walk through historic Île St. Louis with its narrow streets, and Île de la Cité, where medieval Paris was founded, will be a delight. Take the TGV train to Dijon, then stop in Beaune for a chance to taste some Burgundy wines. Before reaching Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, enjoy a cheese and wine tasting; and during your stay in the city, enjoy an excursion to taste Beaujolais wine before you prepare your taste buds for an onboard exclusive food and wine-pairing dinner hosted by our Master of Wine. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage are beautifully nestled among vineyards and you’ll go on a guided walk of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Chocoholics will delight in a chocolate and wine tasting on board as you sail to Avignon, home of the 14th-century Palace of the Popes, where you’ll pay a visit to the famous Châteauneuf du Pape wine cellars. Arles, on the Rhône River, is famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and for its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day. A perfect ending to a memorable river cruise!

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeOperator does not provide
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityArrive in Paris
End CityArles (Disembarkation)

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural
  • Small Ship Cruise

Destinations

  • Europe
  • France

Attractions

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

Activities

  • Culture
  • River cruise

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1

Arrive in Paris, France (Embarkation). Arrive in Paris, France (Embarkation). Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine, the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at an evening welco...

Day 2

Vernon–Les Andelys. This morning in Vernon, choose between a guided visit of Giverny and a visit to Bizy Castle. Claude Monet lived at GIVERNY from 1883-1926, and viewed his gardens as works of art—just like his paintings. See his collection of Japanese prints, his ch...

Day 3

Caudebec. Today, join a guided excursion along the “NORMANDY ABBEYS ROUTE,” a short drive from Caudebec. More than 100 abbeys once covered this region, which has a microclimate particularly suited to the production of fruit such as apples, pears, plums, and cherries. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or to join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur. (B,L,D)

Day 4

Caudebec. Make your choice today between an included full-day excursion to the historic NORMANDY LANDING BEACHES—with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery—or a “TASTE OF NORMANDY” for a more in-depth look at this pi...

Day 5

Rouen. Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy, is an important commercial city perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the included GUIDED WALK through the me...

Day 6

Conflans. After breakfast you may either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or to Napoleon and Josephine’s CHÂTEAU DE MALMAISON just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country es...

Day 7

Paris. One of the world’s most romantic and lively cities, Paris delights the senses. Join a GUIDED WALK through historic Île St. Louis with its narrow one-way streets and Île de la Cité, the center of Paris where the medieval city was founded and home to NOTRE DAME C...

Day 8

Paris (Disembarkation)–Dijon–Beaune–St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation)–Seurre. This morning, say goodbye to your crew, board the TGV train to Dijon and from there, drive to Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, ag...

Day 9

Seurre–Macon. Enjoy some leisurely cruising this morning.In the afternoon, you might choose to participate in one of the optional excursions on offer, such as to a Chardonnay wine cellar, before your ships arrives in Macon. A Master of Wine will join you on board and will introduce you to some of France’s wines in the coming days (B,L,D)

Day 10

Lyon. A leisurely morning on board to relax and enjoy the passing scenery. As you cruise, our Master of Wine will tempt you with a tasting of CHEESE and WINE. In the early afternoon, arrive in Lyon, France’s third-largest city and its gastronomic capital, was founded...

Day 11

Lyon. Enjoy a free morning to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Perhaps wander through one of Lyon’s parks, discover some of the murals (there are over 100 of them), or select one of the available optional excursions This ...

Day 12

Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. A LOCAL GUIDE will show you Tournon, one of France’s oldest medieval cities, with its imposin...

Day 13

Avignon. The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region—the most picturesque part of Provence with its intact ramparts encircling the entire city, cobblestone streets and squares, and private mansions built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Known as...

Day 14

Arles. This morning, wake up early to the tranquil vistas of Camargue National Park (daylight permitting) before arriving in Arles after breakfast. Located on the northern tip of the Camargue, Arles is capital of the Provence region. Your LOCAL GUIDE will show you hig...

Day 15

Arles (Disembarkation). Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Last Updated: 11/14/2018

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.

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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-T3|Take this cruise with land stays
Trip ID
AVALON-WPL0-T3

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