France Unveiled: Seine & Rhône
Overview
The adventure continues in the South of France, where your Avalon Suite Ship® awaits in Lyon—the culinary heart of France, sitting at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Drift past sun-warmed vineyards and indulge in tastings of the region’s renowned Chardonnay wines. Marvel at the Renaissance and Roman heritage of Tournon, wander through Avignon’s grand Palace of the Popes, and walk where Van Gogh once found his inspiration amid the golden light of Arles. Three rivers, countless memories—this is river cruising that lingers long after you return home.
France, in Every Season. From the warmth of summer to the gentle transitions of fall and spring, this journey through France takes on a distinct character in every season. You may marvel at Rouen Cathedral’s dazzling summer light show, enjoy Paris in Bloom on Île Saint Louis, take part in fragrant flower picking and oil distillation, savor fall wine or enjoy pastry demonstrations inspired by each season’s freshest flavors. Seasonal light and landscapes bring fresh perspectives to vineyard-lined valleys, riverside villages, and France’s celebrated art of living. Enjoy the same route, revealed through the unique lens of the season you set sail.
Itinerary
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 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
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.
- Classic: Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
* 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
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV
Enjoy a relaxing sailing morning to Conflans or join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.
- 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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO 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.
Later, enjoy a beautiful cruise to Rouen.
ROUEN:
- 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.
- Discovery: Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D-Day.
This evening, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ROUEN
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 (until the end of May replaced with a visit to the D-Day Museum), 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.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC
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.
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.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PARIS
*Monet's House is closed in March & November. During this period, this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche-Guyon and its castle .
The City of Light.
Disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel in Paris.
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore on your own. Consider browsing Paris' classic shopping avenues and literary cafés for a true Parisian experience, or have your portrait sketched by a Parisian artist in the square at Place du Tertre.
Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases
- 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.
Spend your free time strolling through the Champs - Élysées for café au lait and croissants, see the exhibits at the Louvre, or visit Montmartre's Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.
On to Lyon!
Board the TGV train to Lyon where your Suite Ship® is ready for boarding.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN 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 from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You'll also explore the Old Town with its lively cafés, monuments, and maze of medieval alleyways where history comes to life.
- 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
Fine Silk and French Sweets
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!
- Discovery: Later, enjoy a Pastry Demonstration on board your ship, while sailing to Mâcon.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN MÂCON
Wine on the Stunning Saône
Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
- 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!
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO 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
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.
Life On Board
Float along Europe's most famous waterways in relaxed luxury aboard one of Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships. Read more
With the only Open-Air Balconies in river cruising, experience Europe with a view like no other in a Panorama Suite. Read more
Avalon features all the right inclusions which compliment your luxurious river cruise experience. Read more
Personalise your cruise to make it your own with Avalon Choice. Select whichever included excursions interest you the most. Read more
Avalon's Active & Discovery river cruises offer activities for travellers with varying interests & for all energy and fitness levels. Read more
Savour regional cuisine and familiar favourites using the freshest local ingredients throughout your river cruise. Read more
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Avalon River Cruises (2027)
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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.
