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  • Happiness flows on an Avalon river cruise. From Asia to South America and Europe to the Nile, you’ll cruise in relaxed luxury with river cruising’s widest views of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.

2022 Season

Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice & 3 Nights in Barcelona for Wine Lovers (Southbound)

cruise: WPL2-T1
20 Day River Cruise Paris to Barcelona
Your European river cruise through France embarks in Paris to sail on the Seine River to the picturesque Normandy region. Your Avalon Suite Ship® docks 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, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196. Then, on to Caudebec, where you can choose between an included excursion to the legendary Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating excursion for a “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 showing you 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 Macon 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. Your French river cruise concludes in Port-Saint-Louis. Transfer to Nice on the Côte d’Azur to begin your Monograms® vacation with two more nights in France. In Nice, walk through the Old Town and the Promenade des Anglais, the city’s most famous boulevard. In your free time, perhaps take an excursion to Monaco, St. Tropez, or Cannes—known for its famous film festival.

You’ll fly to Barcelona to enjoy guided sightseeing, including Passeig de Gràcia, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, and an inside visit of Sagrada Familia Basilica. Enjoy ample free time to explore with suggestions and assistance from your Local Host®--at your service in both Nice and Barcelona.

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)–Nice: Transfer from your ship to Nice; guided walking tour with Promenade des Anglais and the Old Town

Day 16 Nice: Day at leisure

Day 17 Nice–Barcelona: Transfer to Nice airport for your flight to Barcelona

Day 18 Barcelona: Guided sightseeing, visit Sagrada Familia Basilica

Day 19 Barcelona: Day at leisure

Day 20 Barcelona: 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 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.