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  • Raise your sights and set your sails for the rivers of Europe, South America, and Asia on an Avalon Waterways cruise. Elevate your cruise experience with fewer passengers, more choices, and endless possibilities.

2023 Season

Burgundy & Provence for Wine Lovers (Southbound)

cruise: WJL-T1
8 Day River Cruise Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles
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.

A Master of Wine will accompany you on your French river cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

Board your Avalon Suite Ship® on the Saône in Chalon-sur-Saône, and cruise to Tournus for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, which sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. See the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour of Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the city of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. Continue your river cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world – and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.

cruise

at-a-glance

Day 1 Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Tournus: Guided walk in Tournus; onboard lecture about wine; Chardonnay excursion

Day 3 Lyon: Onboard cheese and wine tasting; choice of guided sightseeing with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

Day 4 Lyon: Culinary tour; guided tour to Beaujolais; onboard food and wine pairing dinner

Day 5 Tournon-Viviers: Guided walk in Tournon with wine and chocolate tasting or hike in the vineyards (weather permitting); guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral

Day 6 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes; guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape

Day 7 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Arles (Disembarkation): Your cruise 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 listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per person based on twin occupancy and any applicable port charges, 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 a limited time promotional offer(s). Please review current promotions or deals for additional information.