Active & Discovery on the Rhône with 2 Nights in Paris (Southbound) 2025 - 10 Day River Cruise Paris to Arles

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Active & Discovery on the Rhône with 2 Nights in Paris (Southbound) 2025

10 Day River Cruise Paris to Arles



Tour Description:

Treat yourself to a vacation in France before your Active & Discovery cruise on the Rhône River with two nights in the “City of Light”—Paris. Spend your first day in the romantic city with an unhurried stroll along the Champs-Élysées, or linger over wine and crepes in a Montparnasse literary café—once frequented by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Picasso. The following day, select included excursions such as a guided sightseeing tour of the must-see sites, or a guided biking tour through Paris’ highlights, including the Eiffel Tower and Place de la Concorde—with a peaceful rest along the Seine River.

From Paris, board the high-speed train to embark your Avalon Suite Ship® in Lyon, the culinary capital of France! With Avalon Choice® included excursions, you’ll find a variety of ways to explore each port you visit. Choose from Active, Classic, and Discovery included excursions that interest you—from casual and leisurely to cultural and active. Admire the lovely views of the French countryside, join a culinary walk to discover architecture and local specialties, or take a cooking class in Lyon. Embark on a kayak excursion or simply linger in a sidewalk café; stroll Avignon’s papal palace or attend a wine tasting in an underground cave. With so many Avalon Choice inclusions, you’ll find the perfect way to spend your day—from a ghost tour in Viviers to a guided bike ride through the Gard region, to a chocolate factory tour. In addition to classic sightseeing and relaxed free time, you can visit an oyster farm, bike through Camargue Regional Nature Park to spot flamingos, or take a painting workshop in Arles—in the style of Van Gogh. Our Active & Discovery Rhône River cruise with Avalon Choice® includes activities and excursions to experience the Rhône River at your pace in every place we go. From culture to cuisine and everything in between, it’s a vacation in France made just for you.

Map for Active & Discovery on the Rhône with 2 Nights in Paris (Southbound) 2025 - 10 Day River Cruise Paris to Arles
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Dates & Pricing

Saturday 03 May 25 — Tuesday 13 May 25Starting at $5,598Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 14 Jun 25 — Tuesday 24 Jun 25Starting at $5,598Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 26 Jul 25 — Tuesday 05 Aug 25Starting at $5,498Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Saturday 06 Sep 25 — Tuesday 16 Sep 25Starting at $5,698Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Check Mark Icon Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.


Destination & Sightseeing

Day 1 Paris: Welcome to France!
Day 2 Paris: Choice of city sightseeing, or bike tour in Paris
Day 3 Paris-Lyon (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 4 Lyon: Choice of culinary tour, or guided urban hike, or cooking class
Day 5 Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon-Viviers: Choice of rail-bike tour along the Gorges du Doux, or guided hike in the vineyards, or guided tour of Tournon, or tour of the Valrhona factory and museum; Lyonnaise specialties cooking demonstration; evening guided tour in Viviers
Day 6 Viviers-Avignon: In Avignon choice of guided kayak trip down the Gorges de l'Ardèche, or guided hike in the Natural Reserve of Cirque d'Estre, or guided speleological excursion with wine tasting in the caves; evening guided tour of Viviers
Day 7 Avignon: Choice of guided tour, or guided mountain e-bike tour, or Provencal farmhouse experience
Day 8 Arles: Choice of guided tour in Arles, meeting a bullfighter, or guided hike through the Hell Valley, or painting workshop
Day 9 Port-Saint-Louis: Choice of excursion to a local oyster farm with tasting, or either visit a bull ranch, or bike tour through the Camargue Regional Natural Park
Day 10 Arles (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning
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.

ITINERARY

Day 1
PARIS, FRANCE Welcome to Paris! The day is yours to explore the City of Lights at your leisure. Consider browsing along Paris’ classic shopping avenues and literary cafés for a true Parisian experience. PARIS-CROISSANT.jpg

Day 2
PARIS The City of Light CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing which will show you magnificent must-see sights, OR: ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Biking Tour which will reveal some of the highlights of Paris–such as the Eiffel Tower and Palace de la Concorde–from a different point of view; enjoy a peaceful break on the Seine river banks. PARIS-EIFEL-TOWER-BIKING.jpg
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Day 3
PARIS–LYON (EMBARKATION) Board the TGV train to Lyon where your Suite Ship® is ready for boarding. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON LYON-CITY-VIEW.jpg

Day 4
LYON A Festival of Colors, Aromas, and Taste Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Take a Guided Urban Hike through Lyon’s secret passageways (Traboules) for a glimpse into the city’s 19th-century silk trade, OR: DISCOVERY Take a Guided Culinary Walk through Lyon to discover architecture and local specialties in a festival of colors, aromas and taste—exclusive for Avalon guests, OR: DISCOVERY Join our Cooking Class to learn to make your own Lyonnaise specialty. This afternoon, you might take an off-the-beaten-path Guided Optional Tour (Avalon exclusive) through private and public terraces for panoramic views of Lyon, starting on the roof of the Basilica de Fourvière. EVENING CRUISE TO TAIN L’HERMITAGE/TOURNON LYON-BRIDGE.jpg
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Day 5
TAIN L’HERMITAGE/TOURNON Chocolatiers and Railway Engineers in the Twin City Gorge ACTIVE For a unique experience and panoramic views, join a Guided Excursion this morning on a rail-bike along the descent of the Gorges du Doux, OR: ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike in the picturesque vineyards surrounding the twin cities of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage, OR: DISCOVERY Have a true “chocolate experience” with a tour of the Valrhona Chocolate Factory and Museum, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Tournon—twin city to Tain-l’Hermitage and one of France’s oldest medieval cities. You’ll see its imposing 16th-century castle. DISCOVERY Join a Cooking Demonstration and learn how to prepare a Lyonnaise treat while sailing to Viviers. VIVIERS Fascinating History, and Nighttime Ghost Stories DISCOVERY For a different perspective on the town, join us on a nighttime Guided Tour of Viviers, discovering the legends, tales and ghost stories of this enchanting town. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIVIERS VIVIERS-SCENIC.jpg
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Day 6
VIVIERS–LOCK BOLLÈNE River Gorge Kayaks, Underground Wines, and Ghost Stories ACTIVE Immerse yourself in the scenery with a Guided Kayak Trip in the Gorges de l’Ardèche on the spectacular canyons of this Rhône tributary, OR: ACTIVE Find inspiration from the amazing landscape of the region with a Guided Hike through the Natural Reserve of Cirque d’Estre, OR: ACTIVE Join a Guided Visit for a surprising underground Wine Tasting—under the direction of an expert Speleologist (cave guide) and an oenologist (wine-making expert). Cruise through the soaring walls of the Lock Bollène on your way to Avignon this afternoon. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON VIVIERS-ARDECHE.jpg
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Day 7
AVIGNON Bike Pedals, Papal Palaces, and Perfumes in Provence ACTIVE Join a leisurely Guided Mountain E-Bike Ride through Gard region; after all, no need to pedal on the way back, OR: DISCOVERY Visit an authentic Provencal farmhouse for a delightful experience to fill your senses as you see how essential oils are created, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon, including a visit to the world’s largest gothic fortress—the 14th-century Palace Of the Popes. Also, explore Les Halles’ covered market. This afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Tour of the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a wine tasting, or you may opt for a Guided Optional Excursion on a kayak through the waters of Pont du Gard—the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts. You may choose to spend free time to explore Avignon—known as the heart of Provence. Take a leisurely stroll or a bike ride through the tree-lined streets and leafy squares within Avignon’s medieval walls. EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES AVIGNON-BIKING.jpg
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Day 8
ARLES A Master Class Painter and a Matador in Provence Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Experience the legends of Val d’Enfer, with a Guided Hike; an area taking its name from the unique white limestone rock formations, OR: DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. You’ll create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Arles to get to know this charming town, including a visit with a local bullfighter to learn about the secrets and traditions handed down through generations. This afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, stroll, or just relax in a lovely park along Arles’ Boulevard des Lices. Alternatively, feel free to choose one of the optional excursions on offer. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES ARLES-PAINTING-CLASS-2.jpg
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Day 9
PORT-SAINT-LOUIS Oysters and Flamingos in the Rhône Delta Enjoy a morning cruise to Port-Saint-Louis on the Sky Deck of your ship. ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Ride through the Camargue Natural Park with an eye out for more than 400 bird species—including pink flamingos—along the trails of the Mediterranean’s Rhône delta, OR: DISCOVERY Enjoy a taste of local life with a visit to an oyster farm in the Camargue Natural Park on a Guided Tour to enjoy an oyster tasting and learn how this delicacy is farmed, OR: DISCOVERY Visit one of France’s most popular and pristine nature reserves on this memorable visit to a traditional black bull ranch in Camargue Regional Nature Park! OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES PORT-SAINT-LOUIS.jpg
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Day 10
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am. ARLES-SCENIC.jpg

Accommodations

ParisParisMarseille
Paris Marriott Opéra Ambassador
Superior First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

16 Bld.Haussmann Paris France

With an exceptional location in the heart of Paris' illustrious Opera District, this stylish 297-room hotel has impressive Haussmann-style architecture and effortlessly combines Art Deco-styling dating back from its original opening in 1927 with state-of-the-art amenities. Free Wi-Fi access is available in all guestrooms and public areas of the hotel and there is also a fitness room. All-day dining including elegant French cuisine is available in the smart contemporary restaurant and the tranquil lobby bar offers an extensive selection of drinks and light meals.
Check Mark Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.

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