French Masterpiece: Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux 2025 - 15 Day River Cruise Paris to Bordeaux

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French Masterpiece: Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux 2025

15 Day River Cruise Paris to Bordeaux



Tour Description:

On this resplendent river cruise through France, you’ll be wined, dined, and wowed by breathtaking views and so much to do in the charming and historic locales of France. Sail along the Seine River to the picturesque Normandy region. In Vernon, choose between two exciting, guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the beautiful Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” Join in an excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. In Rouen, take a guided walk through the medieval quarter and visit the Gothic Rouen Cathedral.

Before saying bonjour to the beautiful Seine River, spend time in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic cities! Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of the city’s rich history or take a tour highlighting the iconic landmarks of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. Transfer to your Suite Ship® in Bordeaux, the capital of the splendid Nouvelle-Aquitaine region—famed for its legendary vineyards and lovely villages. Cruise through one of France’s most exquisite regions and be carried away by your choice of Avalon’s included Classic, Active, or Discovery excursions—from the regal histories of castles and Châteaux to the romantic cellars where wine bouquets and bon-vivant cuisine tempt the palate. While the landscapes and lush pastoral treasures are plentiful along the shores of the Garonne and Dordogne, Avalon elevates each immersive experience for a deeper discovery of the cultural and architectural treasures that recall the rich traditions of Southwest France. From unparalleled panoramic drives to forested two-wheel excursions by bike to the delicacies of seaside Arachon—the world is your oyster on this adventure in la belle vie of Bordeaux!

Map for French Masterpiece: Paris, Normandy & Bordeaux 2025 - 15 Day River Cruise Paris to Bordeaux
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Dates & Pricing

Monday 14 Apr 25 — Tuesday 29 Apr 25Starting at $8,698Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 21 Apr 25 — Tuesday 06 May 25Starting at $8,898Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 23 Jun 25 — Tuesday 08 Jul 25Starting at $8,498Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 14 Jul 25 — Tuesday 29 Jul 25Starting at $6,898Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 04 Aug 25 — Tuesday 19 Aug 25Starting at $6,898Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 11 Aug 25 — Tuesday 26 Aug 25Starting at $8,498Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 18 Aug 25 — Tuesday 02 Sep 25Starting at $8,598Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 25 Aug 25 — Tuesday 09 Sep 25Starting at $9,198Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 20 Oct 25 — Tuesday 04 Nov 25Starting at $7,798Check Mark Icon SPECIALGet a Quote
Monday 27 Oct 25 — Tuesday 11 Nov 25Starting at $7,498Check 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 (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 crêpe 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 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 of the ‘Heart of Paris’ walking tour or walk with your Adventure Host
Day 8 Paris (Disembarkation)–Bordeaux (Embarkation): Transfer to Bordeaux; onboard welcome reception
Day 9 Cadillac-sur-Garonne: Choice of guided visit to Château de la Brêde or Sauternes tasting in a local Château
Day 10 Cussac Fort Médoc–Blaye: Choice of wine tasting in a Médoc-area Château or e-bike guided tour in the vineyards
Day 11 Blaye–Bourg: Choice of Panoramic drive with visit to the Citadel of Blaye or art and wine experience; free time in Bourg
Day 12 Libourne–Bordeaux: Visit to Saint-Émilion village
Day 13 Bordeaux: Guided walking tour
Day 14 Bordeaux: Choice of guided visit to Arcachon with oysters tasting or biking with your Adventure Host
Day 15 Bordeaux (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.
•Departure April 15th will operate the cruise portion from Paris to Paris in a revised order: Day 1 Paris, Day 2 Paris, Day 3 Conflans, Day 4 Les Andelys-Rouen, Day 5 Caudebec, Day 6 Caudebec. Normandy excursions, Day 7 Vernon. From day 8 back to regular schedule.

ITINERARY

Day 1
PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Welcome to France! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. Your day is free to explore the world’s most romantic city before starting your cruise on the Seine. Get acquainted with the City of Light today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON PARIS-CROISSANT.jpg

Day 2
VERNON Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour Visit the Adventure Center 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 crêpes, 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 Château 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 *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 VERNON.jpg
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Day 3
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 CAUDEBEC.jpg
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Day 4
CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION 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 Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN NORMANDY-OMAHA-BEACH.jpg
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Day 5
ROUEN The Cathedral of Our Lady 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—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS ROUEN.jpg
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Day 6
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 Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon 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 *Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month and on 21st September. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly CONFLANS.jpg
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Day 7
PARIS Cafés, 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 Île de la Cité, 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, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées. Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS PARIS-EIFEL-TOWER.jpg
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Day 8
PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)–BORDEAUX (EMBARKATION) Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding This morning, travel to Bordeaux to board your Suite Ship® and start your cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX *Ship may sail in the evening to Cadillac-sur-Garonne based on tide and water levels. BORDEAUX_CITY.jpg

Day 9
CADILLAC-SUR-GARONNE On the Steps of Montesquieu CLASSIC Take a guided tour of Château de la Brêde—birthplace of Montesquieu—political philosopher and author of “The Spirit of Law.” Visit the fortress-style castle still reflected in its impressive moat, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Visit with wine tasting at a local château. Sip the sweet notes and fresh acidity of Sauternes, the beloved golden-yellow wine. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your Suite Ship® . OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CADILLAC-SUR-GARONNE *Sailing to Cadillac-sur-Garonne pending tides and water levels. Alternative motorcoach transportation for today’s excursions provided. CADILLAC-SUR-GARONNE.jpg
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Day 10
CUSSAC FORT MÉDOC Bikes, Vines, and Wines This morning, enjoy a leisurely sailing to Cussac Fort Médoc Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing E-bike guided tour in Bordeaux’s finest wine region. You will be amazed by the picturesque countryside while you enjoy a wonderful ride through the vineyards, OR: DISCOVERY Take a Guided Visit to an historic Château in the Médoc area and enjoy a tasting of their wonderful wines, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon as protagonists. This evening, enjoy a brief sailing to Blaye. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BLAYE CUSSAC FORT MEDOC_BIKING.jpg
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Day 11
BLAYE–BOURG Fine Art, Fine Bubbly, and a Fine Day for a Drive Ask your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Take a guided visit to the Citadel of Blaye, an UNESCO World Heritage site, followed by a panoramic drive following the famed Route de la Corniche along the right banks of the River Dordogne, OR: DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour to discover Blaye from a different perspective, including a visit to a local art gallery with wine tasting. Relaxing afternoon sailing on the Dordogne River to Bourg. Enjoy free time to explore this storybook village or join an optional guided excursion to learn how the Fine Champagne of Cognac is made while enjoying a Rémy Martin tasting. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BOURG BLAYE_CITADEL.jpg
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Day 12
LIBOURNE. EXCURSION TO SAINT-ÉMILION The Village Amid the Vineyards CLASSIC Join a guided tour of the medieval village of Saint-Émilion—a UNESCO World Heritage site of legends and legendary landscapes. Later, sail Bordeaux. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX SAINT-EMILION.jpg
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Day 13
BORDEAUX Bordeaux Sights and Brilliant Lights Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. CLASSIC Join a guided walking tour to discover the heart of Bordeaux with a stroll amid its stunning squares, avenues, and cathedrals sights. This afternoon, consider an optional guided excursion to Les Bassins des Lumières for a breathtaking visit to the submarine base where art and music surround you in an immersive experience. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX BORDEAUX_PLACE DE LA BOURSE.jpg
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Day 14
BORDEAUX. EXCURSION TO ARCACHON’S BAY Seas, Shells, and Sips ACTIVE Join your Adventure Host for a bike ride along Bordeaux’ postcard river views of the Les Quais, OR: CLASSIC Join a full-day guided tour of the seaside resort of Arcachon on the Atlantic coast. Gaze upon its 19th-century architectural treasures and taste its local delicacy of oysters and wine. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BORDEAUX ARCACHONS BAY_OYSTERS.jpg
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Day 15
BORDEAUX (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. BORDEAUX_CORKS.jpg

Accommodations

ParisBordeaux
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Superior First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

18,Avenue De Suffren Paris France

Enjoying an unbeatable location next to the iconic Eiffel Tower, this 456-room sleek, modern hotel offers free Wi-Fi internet access throughout and has a California-inspired Brasserie with open kitchen and stylish wine bar. Other amenities include a large gym on the 9th floor with panoramic rooftop vistas.
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.