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2024 Season

Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Paris for Wine Lovers (Northbound)


cruise: WLJE-T1
10 Day River Cruise Arles to Paris
Take a wondrous French river cruise along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in famous French locales, as well as off-the-beaten-path gems too! A Master of Wine will accompany you on your river cruise in France with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

Begin your Avalon YourWay river cruise through France in Arles; see its 1st-century Roman amphitheater still used today, and attend a painting workshop in the style of Van Gogh, who was inspired here.

Cruise to 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. Continue to Viviers for a guided walk through its charming village. Nestled among vineyards and Roman ruins are the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage. Take a guided walk of Tournon, a medieval treasure of Roman ruins and 16th-century castle.

You’ll visit Lyon, a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture, as well as France’s gastronomic capital. Lyon offers wonderful sights, including the popular Place des Terreaux with its famous fountain seen on postcards. Take then a guided tour to Beaujolais and the following day to Chardonnay, where you will have the opportunity to taste local wines. Cruise to Mâcon for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. In Dijon, tour Beaune’s Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital—built in 1443 and home of Van der Weyden’s “The Last Judgement.”

Continue your French vacation your way with two overnights in Paris—the “City of Light.” Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of the city’s rich history or take a tour to see the iconic landmarks of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. A classic French river cruise vacation—made even better your way.

About Masters of Wine
Seldom do travelers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honored to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognized globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!

cruise

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Day 1 Arles (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture about wine

Day 3 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes; guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape

Day 4 Viviers: Guided walk, visit the Old Town and the cathedral, or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard food and wine pairing dinner

Day 5 Tournon: Choice of guided walk in Tournon or hike with your Adventure Host; onboard chocolate and wine tasting

Day 6 Lyon: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill; guided tour to Beaujolais

Day 7 Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône: Chardonnay excursion; Chardonnay excursion with tasting; onboard cheese and wine tasting

Day 8 Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)-Beaune-Dijon-Paris: Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; high-speed train from Dijon to Paris

Day 9 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or “Heart of Paris” walking tour to see Paris’ historic sights

Day 10 Paris: Your 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.