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2024 Season

A Culinary Experience in Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice (Northbound)


cruise: WLPQ-T1
17 Day River Cruise Nice to Paris
This incredible European river cruise highlighting the best of France is certainly grand! Begin your adventure in captivating Nice on the French Riviera. Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages, and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Indulge in the legendary cuisine of France on this culinary focused cruise through Burgundy and Provence. With a Master of Wine on board and special culinary highlights throughout the Rhône portion of your cruise, you’ll sample regional French specialties with onboard cheese tasting, pastry demonstration, and with a unique dinner featuring a marvelous menu created just for you in the tradition of famous Chef Paul Bocuse.

Embark your ship in Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh—and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world. Take a guided walk through the city of Tournon, beautifully nestled among vineyards and a medieval treasure of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. On your Seine River cruise, you’ll have the choice of seeing the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery; the delightful Les Andelys, Joan of Arc’s Rouen, Vincent Van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise, or Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. On this French river cruise, you’ll enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful views, and stops in the most charming parts of France.

Your vacation in France would not be complete without a stay in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities! Discover its true heart on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour to see the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. Walk in the footsteps of the great master artists, enjoy the delectable cuisine of France, and stand where heroes fought for freedom on the beaches of Normandy. This and so much more is waiting for you on your French cruise on the Seine!

cruise

at-a-glance


Day 1 Nice: Welcome to France

Day 2 Nice: Guided tour

Day 3 Nice–Arles (Embarkation): Transfer to the ship; onboard welcome reception

Day 4 Arles: Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host; Crêpes lunch onboard

Day 5 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes

Day 6 Viviers: Onboard chocolate and wine tasting; guided walk with tasting, visit Old Town and the cathedral, or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 7 Tournon–Vienne: Choice of guided walk in Tournon or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard pastry demonstration, choice of guided walk in Vienne or hike with your Adventure Host; onboard food-and-wine-pairing dinner

Day 8 Lyon: Choice of culinary tour of guided sightseeing with picture stop on Fourvière Hill; Paul Bocuse legacy dinner

Day 9 Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône: Onboard cheese tasting

Day 10 Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Paris (Embarkation): Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; TGV train from Dijon to Paris; onboard welcome reception

Day 11 Vernon–Les Andelys: Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk or guided hike in Les Andelys; onboard crêpe tasting and Pastry Demonstration

Day 12 Caudebec: Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route” or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 13 Caudebec: Choice of full day excursions to Normandy landing beaches, or “A Taste of Normandy” excursion

Day 14 Rouen: Guided tour, see the Astronomical Clock and visit to the cathedral

Day 15 Conflans: Choice of excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, or excursion to Napoleon and Josephine’s Château de Malmaison or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 16 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or “Heart of Paris” walking tour or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 17 Paris (Disembarkation): Vacation ends this morning

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. Plus, we offer independent exploration options and the use of our exclusive AvalonGO APP on most of our cruises. 

Below are 3 types of included shore excursions for you to experience.

The “Starting at” or “From” listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on double occupancy and any applicable non-commissionable taxes and fees and intra-vacation flight are included in the price shown. Any included overnight stay in Canada, applicable GST/HST is also included in the price shown. International airfare, however, is not included. If price is crossed out, the new price shown includes limited-time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.