DOWNLOAD ITINERARY

Meals

Breakfast: 16 Lunch: 12 Dinner: 14

Transport

State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities

Accommodation

Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds

HighLights

Wine Tasting
Vernon
Lyon
Avignon

DAY 1: FRENCH RIVIERA
Welcome to France. Enjoy free time to discover the beauty of the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.
DAY 2: FRENCH RIVIERA
The "Queen of the French Riviera" CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Sightseeing in Nice. Discover the narrow, winding streets, and baroque churches of Vieux Nice, the old city-an area which has changed little since the 1700s. (B)
DAY 3: FRENCH RIVIERA-ARLES (EMBARKATION)
Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding. Join a motorcoach transfer to board your Avalon Suite Ship. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (B,D)
DAY 4: ARLES
A Brush with Genius Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR: CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles-the captivating city of the Provence region. You'll visit the Roman Amphitheatre in this visually stunning city. Take free time to stop in Le Cafe Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon. DISCOVERY Enjoy a crepes lunch onboard. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON (B,L,D)
DAY 5: AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon-with its ramparts encircling the city-and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes. Guided Optional Excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhone wine region. Explore Avignon on your own for the city's art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Benezet. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON (B,L,D)
DAY 6: VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country Village Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers. ACTIVE Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host, OR: DISCOVERY Explore the charms of Viviers on this extraordinary guided walk through the Old Town with an included tasting of the local culinary delights. In the afternoon, you may want to join one of the Optional Excursion on offer. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TAIN L'HERMITAGE (B,L,D)
DAY 7: TAIN L'HERMITAGE
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. ACTIVE Explore Tournon by foot as you follow your Adventure Host for a morning hike in this beautiful town along the Rhone, OR: CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon-one of France's oldest medieval cities. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhone River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. In the early afternoon cruise to Lyon DISCOVERY Enjoy a pastry demonstration hosted by a French chef on board your ship. Tonight, your Certified Sommelier will escort you through a French cuisine tasting dinner with wine pairing on board. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON (B,L,D)
DAY 8: LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France DISCOVERY Take a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourviere Hill with its numerous churches. You'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafes, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux. Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon's town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet. DISCOVERY This evening, join an onboard unique dinner inspired by legendary chef Paul Bocuse. Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS (B,L,D)
DAY 9: TOURNUS-CHALON-SUR-SAONE
Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saone DISCOVERY Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Maconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards, the wines produced here, and to attend a wine-tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle! DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting onboard. Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAONE (B,L,D)
DAY 10: CHALON-SUR-SAONE (DISEMBARKATION) BEAUNE-DIJON-PARIS (EMBARKATION)
On to Paris! Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris. CLASSIC Visit the Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgment and is one of France's architectural highlights. This afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris to board your Suite Ship. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON (B,D)
DAY 11: VERNON
Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crepes du Jour Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet's charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces*, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle-called "Normandy's Versailles" for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables. DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crepes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration. This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. LES ANDELYS Serenity on the Seine ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Chateau Gaillard-historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys-one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC (B,L,D) *Monet's House is closed in March and November. During this period, this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche-Guyon and its castle
DAY 12: CAUDEBEC
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route-where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine. This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)
DAY 13: CAUDEBEC. EXCURSIONS TO NORMANDY
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach centre, and the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Join "A Taste of Normandy" Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN (B,L,D)
DAY 14: ROUEN
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a Heroine for France ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen-home of the martyred Joan of Arc-and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS (B,L,D)
DAY 15: CONFLANS
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Chateau de Malmaison*-home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles-home to a succession of French kings. EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS (B,L,D) * Chateau de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Chateau de Chantilly
DAY 16: PARIS
Cafes, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities. ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Ile de la Cite, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and the famous Champs-Elysees. Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary cafe on the Left Bank. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS (B,L,D)
DAY 17: PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Earn from 13,886 Qantas Points pp~

Was $15,042 pp*

FROM

AUD

$12,414.48 pp*

BookDates & Prices

This incredible European river cruise highlighting the best of France is certainly grand! Begin your adventure on the French Riviera. Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages, and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Indulge in the legendary cuisine of France on this culinary focused cruise through Burgundy and Provence. With a Certified Sommelier on board and special culinary highlights throughout the Rhône portion of your cruise, you’ll sample regional French specialties with onboard cheese tasting, pastry demonstration, and with a unique dinner featuring a marvellous menu created just for you in the tradition of famous Chef Paul Bocuse.

Embark your ship in Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh—and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world. Take a guided walk through the city of Tournon, beautifully nestled among vineyards and a medieval treasure of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. On your Seine River cruise, you’ll have the choice of seeing the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery; the delightful Les Andelys, Joan of Arc’s Rouen, Vincent Van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise, or Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. On this French river cruise, you’ll enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful views, and stops in the most charming parts of France.

Your holiday in France would not be complete without a stay in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities! 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. Walk in the footsteps of the great master artists, enjoy the delectable cuisine of France, and stand where heroes fought for freedom on the beaches of Normandy. This and so much more is waiting for you on your French cruise on the Seine!

Please note: Itinerary is based on 2025, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2025.

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Leisurely On the go

I want to travel in

2025

2026

Days

Country

France

Meals

16breakfasts;

12lunches;

14dinners;

Transport

State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities

Accommodation

Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds

Tour Code

WLPQC

Price

*Price per person, based on Twin occupancy for 29 March 2026 departure

CAT D

~Each person on the booking will earn 1 point per $1 spent on their portion of the booking.

Highlights

Wine Tasting

Vernon

Lyon

Avignon

Itinerary

EXPAND ALL DAYS

Day 1

FRENCH RIVIERA

Welcome to France. Enjoy free time to discover the beauty of the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 0, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

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Rivers

Vessels

Before You Book

Before You Travel

Meet Avalon

The Cruising Experience

Grand France With French Riviera (Culinary)

Earn from 13,886 Qantas Points pp~

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Itinerary

FRENCH RIVIERA

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

FRENCH RIVIERA

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

FRENCH RIVIERA-ARLES (EMBARKATION)

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

ARLES

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

AVIGNON

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

VIVIERS

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

TAIN L'HERMITAGE

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

LYON

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

TOURNUS-CHALON-SUR-SAONE

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

CHALON-SUR-SAONE (DISEMBARKATION) BEAUNE-DIJON-PARIS (EMBARKATION)

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

VERNON

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

CAUDEBEC

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

CAUDEBEC. EXCURSIONS TO NORMANDY

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

ROUEN

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

CONFLANS

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

PARIS

INCLUDED MEALS

SHIP(S) *

PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)

INCLUDED MEALS

TRIP ACCOMMODATION & OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

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