Active & Discovery on the Seine & Rhône (Southbound)

Welcome to 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 embarking on your cruise on the Seine. Get acquainted with the City of Lights today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LA ROCHE GUYON

Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour.

• Active: Spend a fun and active day kayaking. Join an expert guide and paddle your way through areas accessible only by water, OR:
• Discovery: Delight in a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet's charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:
• Discovery: Take a Guided Tour to one of France's most remarkable castles—Château de La Roche - Guyon, perched on the picturesque chalk cliffs overlooking the village of La Roche - Guyon; during the visit, enjoy a tasting of local products.
• Discovery: While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes.

This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. LES ANDELYS: Serenity on the Seine's Most Beautiful Riverbends.

• Active: Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart and a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine. Visit Saint Sauveur's Church of Le Petit Andely.
• Discovery: Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D - Day.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and White Cliffs of Normandy.

• Discovery: Travel to Fecamp to visit the Palais Bénédictine where the world-famous Bénédictine liquor is made. Enjoy a short Self-Guided Tour followed by a cocktail workshop focused on the famous liquor. Enjoy a photo stop in Étretat to capture breathtaking views over the cliffs of the Alabaster Coast en route back to Caudebec, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Visit to the WWII landing beaches of Normandy. Take a full-day tour of significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
• Classic: Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény - sur - Mer Canadian War Cemetery.

Enjoy onboard live entertainment after dinner, while sailing to Rouen.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROUEN

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and a Heroine for France

• Active: Pedal your way through hundreds of years of history on this Guided Bike Tour around Rouen, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Visit to the magnificent Musée des Beaux - Arts de Rouen to marvel at masterpieces in fine art. Be awed by one of the most outstanding collections of art in France—from the works of Rubens, Monet, Degas, and countless other masters, OR:
• 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 Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

In the afternoon, you're free to explore the city on your own.

• Discovery: Enjoy a fascinating presentation on art and impressionism with an onboard lecture.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ROUEN

Heritage and Nature

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

• Classic: Join a Guided Visit to the magnificent Château de Bonnemare, a Renaissance castle amid serene natural beauty in the heart of Normandy.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS

The Footsteps of Van Gogh and Bonaparte

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

• Active: This Guided E-bike Tour will take you to the Château de Maisons - Lafitte where you will enjoy a special snack, OR:
• Discovery: Prepare your own Chantilly cream on the grounds of Chantilly Castle, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Auvers-sur-Oise, and walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh, who lived, worked, and is buried here. See the landscapes and village scenes captured in his paintings, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.

Enjoy an afternoon sailing to Paris. This evening, enjoy onboard live entertainment on board your ship after dinner.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

Cafés, Cathedrals, and Canvases.

• Active: Hop on a bike to explore Paris like a local on this enjoyable guided tour through its sights, mesmerizing history, and incredible ambiance, OR:
• Discovery: Immerse yourself on our Food and Cultural Tour of Paris where you will find out why the French food and culinary tradition has been even added to the UNESCO heritage list, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing, which will show you magnificent must-see sights.

This afternoon, you may stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

Your Suite Ship Awaits!

Take a High - Speed Train from Paris to Lyon to board your Suite Ship®

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

A Festival of Colors, Aromas, and Taste

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

• Active: Take a Guided Urban Hike through Lyon's secret passageways (Traboules) for a glimpse into the city's 19th-century silk trade, OR:
• Discovery: Take a Guided Culinary Walk through Lyon to discover architecture and local specialties in a festival of colors, aromas and taste—exclusive for Avalon guests, OR:
• Discovery: Join our Cooking Class to learn to make your own Lyonnaise specialty.

EVENING CRUISE TO TAIN L'HERMITAGE/TOURNON

Chocolatiers and Railway Engineers

• Active: For a unique experience and panoramic views, join a Guided Excursion this morning on a rail-bike along the descent of the Gorges du Doux, OR:
• Discovery: Have a true “chocolate experience” with a tour of the Valrhona Chocolate Factory and Museum, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Tournon—twin city to Tain - l'Hermitage and one of France's oldest medieval cities. You'll see its imposing 16th-century castle.
• Discovery: Join a Cooking Demonstration and learn how to prepare a Lyonnaise treat while sailing to Viviers.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIVIERS

River Gorge Kayaks and Underground Wines

• Active: Immerse yourself in the scenery with a Guided Kayak Trip in the Gorges de l'Ardèche on the spectacular canyons of this Rhône tributary, OR:
• Active: Join a Guided Visit for a surprising underground Wine Tasting—under the direction of an expert Speleologist (cave guide) and an oenologist (wine-making expert), OR:
• Discovery: Visit a traditional truffle farm to see a harvesting demonstration by the farmer's dog; meet a truffle - producer to hear about the process of cultivating these culinary delicacies and taste delicious truffle carpaccio and truffled toast, OR:
• 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.
• Discovery: Later, enjoy a tasting of Local Specialties on board your ship.

Cruise through the soaring walls of Lock Bollène on your way to Avignon this afternoon.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON

Bike Pedals, Papal Palaces, and Perfumes in Provence.

• Active: Join a Guided Kayak Excursion through the waters of Pont du Gard—the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts, OR:
• Discovery: Visit an authentic Provencal farmhouse for a delightful experience to fill your senses as you see how essential oils are created, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon, including a visit to the world's largest gothic fortress—the 14th-century Palace Of the Popes. Also, enjoy a tasting of local products while exploring Les Halles' covered market.

This afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Tour of the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf - du - Pape for a wine tasting, or you may opt for a Guided Optional E-Bike Ride through Gard region. You may choose to spend free time exploring Avignon—known as the heart of Provence. Take a leisurely stroll or a bike ride through the tree-lined streets and leafy squares within Avignon's medieval walls.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

A Master Painter and a Matador in Provence

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

• Active: Experience the legends of Val d'Enfer with a Guided Hike; an area taking its name from the unique white limestone rock formations, OR:
• Discovery: Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Arles to get to know this charming town, including a visit with a local bullfighter to learn about the secrets and traditions handed down through generations.

This afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, stroll, or just relax in a lovely park along Arles' Boulevard des Lices. Alternatively, feel free to choose one of the optional excursions on offer. Later, enjoy on board live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

Oysters and Flamingos in the Rhône Delta.

Enjoy an early morning cruise to Port-Saint-Louis on the Sky Deck of your ship.

• Active: Take a Guided Bike Ride through the Camargue Natural Park with an eye out for more than 400 bird species—including pink flamingos—along the trails of the Mediterranean's Rhône delta, OR:
• Discovery: Enjoy a taste of local life with a visit to an oyster farm in the Camargue Natural Park on a Guided Tour to enjoy an oyster tasting and learn how this delicacy is farmed, OR:
• Discovery: Visit one of France's most popular and pristine nature reserves on this memorable visit to a traditional black bull ranch in Camargue Regional Nature Park!

In the afternoon enjoy a relaxing sailing to Arles.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.