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Burgundy & Provence with French Riviera (Southbound)

10 Days Chalon Sur Saone to Nice
Burgundy & Provence with French Riviera (Southbound)
Burgundy & Provence with French Riviera (Southbound)
Burgundy & Provence with French Riviera (Southbound)
New Release River Cruise

Overview

Avalon
Cruise Operated By:
 (494) Reviews Total No. of River Cruises 171
Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in well-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 seen on postcards. With plenty read more of time to explore this historical city further, be sure to sample Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region.

Beautifully nestled among vineyards, is 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. Enjoy your two last nights in France on the French Riviera. Relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea—a perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime European river cruise!
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Our Price From
A$6,227 per person
Price shown based on twin share
Save up to $2,704 per person
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Trip Length
Trip Length

10 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Chalon Sur Saone

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Nice

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Countries Visited
Rivers Sailed:
Cruise Ship
Cruise Ship
Avalon Poetry II
Passengers
Passengers

128

Crew
Crew

37

Ship Launch
Launched

2014

Cruise Code
Cruise Code

WJLE

Itinerary

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

Included Meals: Dinner

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.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

  • Classic: Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France's oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.
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

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

Join your Adventure 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

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A Brush with Genius

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

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean Coast.

After breakfast this morning, you'll drive to Nice on the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy. NOTE: On departures May 20 and June 3 overnight will be in Cannes instead of Nice.
Included Meals: Breakfast

The “Queen of the French Riviera” *

  • Classic: Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing in Nice. Discover the narrow, winding streets and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city—an area which has changed little since the 1700s.
NOTE: On departures May 20 and June 3 Cannes walking tour will be offered as additional included feature in the morning and Nice sightseeing will be offered in the afternoon.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Please Note: The end city and accommodation in the French Riviera is yet to be confirmed and subject to change.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Life On Board

Avalon
 (494) Reviews
Total No. of River Cruises 171
One of our favourite sayings that describes Avalon Waterways is ‘the possibilities are as wide open as the views’. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, you can cruise in relaxed luxury with Avalon Waterways, with choices as unique as you. Avalon offers you a range of choices from excursions, dining options, activities more that help you tailor your experience.

Just imagine gliding away down the world’s most spectacular rivers, all while enjoying a unique vantage point from your own private oasis. Our floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in our suites blur the line between where the world ends, and your suite begins; allowing you to experience the world less seen from the comfort of your bed. This is river cruising from a unique point of view.
Avalon Poetry II
Avalon Poetry II

Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more

Our Vision. Your View.
Our Vision. Your View.

With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more

Exclusive Meets Inclusive
Exclusive Meets Inclusive

Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more

Avalon Choice
Avalon Choice

Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more

Active & Discovery
Active & Discovery

Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more

From View to Table
From View to Table

Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more

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Avalon River Cruises (2025-26)

Avalon Waterways has redefined cruising by going against the current and away from the ordinary. One step aboard our modern, luxurious Suite Ships with the grandest views in cruising and it’s easy to see how the tides are changing. Welcome to a new wave in cruising. Welcome aboard Avalon Waterways.

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Cabin Layout Options:

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From $6,227
From $8,360
From $10,688
Tuesday 30 Jun 2026 30 Jun 26 Chalon Sur Saone
Thursday 09 Jul 2026 09 Jul 26 Nice
Details
Avalon Poetry II
Exclusive Savings
River View
A$7,364
Save $2,309
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Avalon. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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