Grand France with French Riviera (Southbound)

Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm.

Your day is free to explore the world's most romantic city before starting your cruise on the Seine. Get acquainted with the City of Light 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 VERNON

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

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

• Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour through the picturesque Normandy countryside from Vernon to Giverny, ending with a visit to Monet's enchanting gardens and home, OR:
• Classic: Take 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:
• Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy's Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
• Discovery: While sailing, enjoy a traditional French Luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.

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

• Active: Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

NOTE: Monet's House is closed in March and November. During this period, this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche - Guyon and its castle.

Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine.

• Active: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.

This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

• Discovery: Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D - Day.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC

Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions.

• Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, visit 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, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.

EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a Heroine for France

• Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:
• Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc's martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS

The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

• Active: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
• 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 wife Josephine.

Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS

NOTE: Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly.

Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

• Active: Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
• Classic: Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
• Classic: Join a Guided City Tour featuring the iconic sites of Paris, which make the City of Light the most romantic and remarkable city in the world.

Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

Take a High - Speed Train from Paris to Dijon, to drive on to Beaune.

• Classic: Visit the Hôtel - Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgement.

This afternoon, travel to Chalon - sur - Saône to board your Suite Ship®

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS

Pearl of Southern Burgundy.

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

• Active: Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host in Tournus, OR:
• 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.
• Discovery: Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards and the wines produced here. Attend a wine tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle!
• Discovery: Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LYON

La Vie En Rose in Lyon.

• 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 with its numerous churches from Fourvière Hill. 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 lecture on board your ship.

Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

Adventures in Food and Wine

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

• Classic: Explore Lyon's silk heritage with a museum visit, a Walking Tour of La Presqu'île, and a live demonstration of hand - printed silk serigraphy in a workshop. A rich journey through silk history!

This afternoon, enjoy leisurely sailing to Tournon.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN 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 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.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON

The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

• Active: Discover Avignon by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
• 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 live entertainment on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

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 at Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean Coast.

After breakfast this morning, you'll drive to the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.

• Classic: En route to French Riviera, stop in Aix-en-Provence and enjoy a Guided Sightseeing to discover the elegant beauty of Cezanne's hometown.

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.

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.