Overview
Your Britain Sampler vacation segues into a wonderful French river cruise from Paris to Normandy aboard your Avalon Suite Ship®. You’ll board a Eurostar train from London to Paris to embark on your Seine River cruise from the “City of Light.”
You’ll first sail to Vernon, where you’ll choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” You may choose to go on an excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. In Rouen, best known as the site of Joan of Arc’s persecution, you’ll go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter. From Conflans, join an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise—the inspiration of famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison.
On this French river cruise, enjoy wine, cheese, and beautiful scenery along the Seine River. Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour showing you the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more.
128
37
2015
XGE5
Itinerary
Welcome to London, Start the Globus part of your vacation. Free time this afternoon.
The Royal Treatment
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall, Prime Minister's Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace, and a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral. Free time this afternoon. (B)
HISTORIC SITES See the legendary landmarks of England's historic capital city. Walk where voices have rung out for centuries in Parliament Square and where chimes rise high above you with the ringing of Big Ben's quarter bells. See Westminster Abbey, where royal coronations, weddings, and funerals have made history.
Ancient Stones & Spa Days
LONDON: Meet your Tour Director and travel companions at 8 am before departing for Stonehenge. (B/D)
STONEHENGE: Visit the prehistoric monument.
BATH: Visit the excavations of the Roman Baths. Free time the remainder of the day.
CULTURAL GEMS The traditions of one ancient Roman ritual are in full flow in Bath. Amid the remarkable Roman and Georgian architecture and the best-preserved Roman Baths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, a good spa day is never hard to find in one of the “Best Spa Towns in Europe.” The city of Bath sits above geothermal springs that bubble up from the limestone below. Bath also turns up the heat with some of Britain's grandest Georgian buildings, a mecca for elite 18th-century society.
Welsh Country Beauties
LUDLOW: Visit the historic market town.
LLANGOLLEN: Visit the picturesque town.
LIVERPOOL: Free time the remainder of the day. (B) 204 mi / 335 km
CULTURE & TRADITION Explore the charming medieval town of Ludlow on the River Teme. Noteworthy buildings include Ludlow Castle and the impressive St. Laurence's church. With nearly 500 buildings on the Historic England list, Ludlow's medieval and Tudor - style half-timbered architecture inspired poet laureate Sir John Betjeman to call it "the loveliest town in England."
Sonnets, Sweets & Scottish Blacksmiths
LAKE DISTRICT: Take a scenic drive.
GRASMERE: Visit Wordsworth's beloved village. Sample the original Grasmere gingerbread.
GRETNA GREEN: See where a Scottish blacksmith performed weddings for eloping young couples.
EDINBURGH: Free time this evening. (B) 237 mi / 390 km.
LOCAL FAVORITE - TIMELESS TRADITIONS: Sweeten the day with classic gingerbread in Grasmere baked following an 1854 recipe invented by Sarah Nelson, the Victorian cook who invented the world famous cross between cake and biscuit.
Crown Jewels & Castle Views
EDINBURGH: Morning city sightseeing with a Local Guide includes the New Town, Old Town, and a visit to Edinburgh Castle to see Scotland's Crown Jewels. Free time this afternoon.
EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO: Attend the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance. (Departures July 28 through August 18 only). (B)
MUSIC & MASTERPIECES Ascend to Castle Rock to explore Edinburgh Castle, one of the most important historical strongholds in the Kingdom of Scotland, with an 11,000-year history as "the most besieged place in Great Britain". Here, you'll find the royal regalia and Scotland's Crown Jewels. The Castle forms the background of the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an extravaganza of bagpipes and drums performed en masse in August each year.
Augustine's Monks & Medieval Markets
ABBOTSFORD: Take a guided tour of Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House.
JEDBURGH: Take photos of the Augustinian abbey ruins.
YORK: See York Minster on a guided walk through The Shambles. (B/D)
LOCAL FAVORITE - HISTORIC SPOT: While strolling the cobblestones of York's Shambles, it's easy to imagine the medieval butcher shops and boisterous crowds bartering for beef and bones outside the 14th-century timber - framed windows. The Shambles is one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, said to have been the inspiration behind Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, and today is a vibrant gathering place with cheerful cafés and quirky boutiques brimming with the sweet aromas of chocolate, pastries, and pies.
Mr. & Mrs. Shakespeare
STRATFORD - UPON - AVON: See Anne Hathaway's Cottage. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace. (B) 256 mi / 411 km.
A LEGEND SLEPT HERE Ah, young love! Even more true, as Shakespeare's fiancée was eight years his senior. See Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the family home where the bard's wife - to - be was born and courted by young Will. Built more than 500 years ago, much of the original structure remains. Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace and family home in the heart of Stratford - upon - Avon. Hear tales about his family life, marriage, and children with a close look at fascinating artifacts in a world-class collection assembled by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
Transfer to Paris to board your Avalon Suite Ship®. This evening, enjoy dinner on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON. (B/D)
Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour.
Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host.
- Active: Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, 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.
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC (B/L/D)
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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC (B/L/D)
Heroic 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.
The Cathedral of Our Lady 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 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. (B/L/D)
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.
*Note: Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month and on 21st September. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly.
Cafés, Cathedrals, & Canvases in the City of Lights
- 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, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs - Élysées.
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Life On Board
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.
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 travelers 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
Download Brochure
Avalon River Cruises (2025-26)
Dates & Pricing
USD
Welcome Back Credit
GJ Loyalty Discount
Cabin Layout Options:
Select Cabin Preference:
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.
