2023 Season

Grand France with 2 Nights in Aix-en-Provence & 2 Nights in Nice for Wine Lovers (Southbound)

cruise: WPL1-T1 19 Day River Cruise Paris to Nice
Your grand French river cruise embarks in Paris and sails along the Seine River to the picturesque Normandy region. Your Avalon Suite Ship® stops in Vernon, with your choice of a guided visit to Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle. Continue to Les Andelys—home of Château Gaillard—then on to Caudebec. Here choose between an included excursion to the legendary Normandy landing beaches or an excursion for a fascinating “Taste of Normandy” tour. Visit Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen; and in Conflans, select a guided excursion to Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison. Return to Paris and 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.

Transfer to Beaune and board your second Avalon Suite Ship® in St. Jean de Losne. A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. Cruise to Mâcon for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. In Lyon, take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour to Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. In Tournon, enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. In historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world– and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape.

Disembark your cruise ship and transfer to Aix-en-Provence for your 2-night Monograms® vacation. Enjoy guided sightseeing with an expert Local Guide, walking along the 17th-century Cours Mirabeau, and visit the Cathedral of the Holy Savior, known for its blend of architectural styles. Travel to Nice for your two more nights in France. Here, guided sightseeing with a local expert includes a walk through the Old Town and the Promenade des Anglais—Nice’s most famous boulevard. Your Monograms Local Host® is on hand in each city with guidance and assistance when you need it!
cruise

at-a-glance

Day 1 Paris (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 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 crêpes tasting and Pastry Demonstration

Day 3 Caudebec: Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route” or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 4 Caudebec: Choice of full-day excursions to Normandy landing beaches or “A Taste of Normandy” excursion

Day 5 Rouen: Choice of guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral or bike tour

Day 6 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 7 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or historic sights on “Heart of Paris” walking tour or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Paris (Disembarkation)–Dijon–Beaune–St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation): High-speed train from Paris to Dijon; motor coach transfer to Beaune and visit to the Hôtel-Dieu; onboard welcome reception

Day 9 Mâcon: Leisurely cruising; onboard lecture about wine; Chardonnay excursion

Day 10 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 11 Lyon: Culinary tour; guided tour to Beaujolais; onboard food and wine pairing dinner

Day 12 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 13 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes; guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape

Day 14 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 15 Port-Saint-Louis (Disembarkation)–Aix-en-Provence: Transfer to Aix-en-Provence; guided walking tour, visit Cathedral of the Holy Saviour

Day 16 Aix-en-Provence: Day at leisure

Day 17 Aix-en-Provence–Nice: Travel to Nice; guided walking tour with Promenade des Anglais and the Old Town

Day 18 Nice: Day at leisure

Day 19 Nice: Your vacation ends this morning
highlights

cities and locations

Avalon Choice

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.

notes

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
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.