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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 WWII Remembrance & History Cruise with 2 Nights in Aix-en-Provence & 2 Nights in Nice (Southbound)

cruise: WPL1-T2
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. You might choose a full-day excursion to the Vimy Ridge and Beaumont-Hamel areas, where the Canadian Forces prevailed over German forces in WWI. 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. Disembark and travel to fascinating Beaune for a visit of the Hôtel-Dieu. In St. Jean de Losne, board your second Avalon Suite ship and sail to Mâcon, the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, Viviers, Avignon, and Arles, as well as France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon.

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; onboard crêpe tasting; onboard history presentation, 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 visit the V-1 launch bomb site, or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard D-Day lecture

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 or full-day excursion to Vimy and Beaumont-Hamel

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 WWII theme tour with visit to Museum of Les Invalides, 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 cheese tasting

Day 10 Lyon: Choice of guided sightseeing with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

Day 11 Lyon: Culinary tour

Day 12 Tournon–Viviers: Guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral

Day 13 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes

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

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.