Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) 2025 - 8 Day River Cruise Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles

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Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) 2025

8 Day River Cruise Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles



Tour Description:

Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. You’ll have plenty of time to explore this historical city further and be sure to sample Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the city of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, where you’ll go on a guided walk. Continue your river cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.

Map for Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) 2025 - 8 Day River Cruise Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles
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Dates & Pricing

Monday 07 Apr 25 — Tuesday 15 Apr 25Starting at $4,099Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 21 Apr 25 — Tuesday 29 Apr 25Starting at $3,799Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 02 Jun 25 — Tuesday 10 Jun 25Starting at $3,999Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 30 Jun 25 — Tuesday 08 Jul 25Starting at $4,399Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 14 Jul 25 — Tuesday 22 Jul 25Starting at $4,399Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 11 Aug 25 — Tuesday 19 Aug 25Starting at $4,399Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 25 Aug 25 — Tuesday 02 Sep 25Starting at $4,499Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 22 Sep 25 — Tuesday 30 Sep 25Starting at $4,099Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 06 Oct 25 — Tuesday 14 Oct 25Starting at $3,899Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 20 Oct 25 — Tuesday 28 Oct 25Starting at $3,449Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 03 Nov 25 — Tuesday 11 Nov 25Starting at $3,899Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 17 Nov 25 — Tuesday 25 Nov 25Starting at $3,799Check 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 Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Tournus: Guided walk in Tournus; onboard cheese tasting
Day 3 Lyon: Choice of guided sightseeing; with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Day 4 Lyon: Culinary tour
Day 5 Tournon-Viviers: Guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral
Day 6 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes
Day 7 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheater, or painting workshop or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Arles (Disembarkation): Your cruise 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
CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding Flights into Lyon must arrive by 2 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS CHALON-SUR-SAONE-TOWN-SQUARE.jpg

Day 2
TOURNUS Pearl of Southern Burgundy Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. CLASSIC Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town. Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin. DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX TOURNUS.jpg
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Day 3
LYON La Vie En Rose in Lyon Sail for lovely Lyon this morning. ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux. DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance your lecture on board your ship. Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON LYON-CAFE.jpg
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Day 4
LYON Adventures in Food and Wine DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France. The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals. EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON LYON-BRIDGE.jpg
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Day 5
TOURNON A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch. VIVIERS World History in a Charming French Country Village CLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON VIVIERS-SCENIC.jpg
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Day 6
AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. 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 Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône 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-Bénézet. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment. EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES AVIGNON-BRIDGE.jpg
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Day 7
ARLES A Brush with Genius 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 Amphitheater in this visually stunning city. Take free time to stop in Le Café van Gogh for a glass of wine. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES ARLES-PAINTING-CLASS.jpg
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Day 8
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am. ARLES-SCENIC.jpg

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.

FAQ Avalon Cruises Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pavlus Travel tells you there's a wide World out there just waiting to be explored on river cruises by you, and Avalon Waterways like Pavlus Travel knows there is more than a river cruise for you and your family to see it all. Why not experience local cities, villages, and countrysides your way with a wide selection of active excursions and activities brought to you by Avalon River Cruises that put you right in the middle of it all. Borrow a bike to ride through the streets of Amsterdam, grab a Nordic walking stick to capture the castle with a hike up the vineyard off the Rhine River, or paddle a canoe along Austria’s river shores. Pavlus makes it easy to turn sightseeing into doing your adventure in real time. You’ll find all the guidance and gear you from Avalon Waterways staff to embark on an expedition of your own. From a complimentary yoga class aboard your Avalon River Cruise to a jogging tour of Vienna or an optional kayaking excursion. Know that Pavlus Travel discounts Avalon River Cruises be they in Europe or the Far East. You'll enjoy every Avalon River Cruises Ship.