Grand France with 2 Nights in Nice (Northbound) 2022

This incredible European river cruise highlighting the best of France is certainly grand! Begin your adventure in captivating Nice on the French Riviera. Cruise on the Rhône River to Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh—and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic-style 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 vacation 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!

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SIMILAR VACATIONS

Grand France (Southbound)
Grand France (Southbound)
With 3 Nights in LondonWLP4
With 3 Nights in LondonWLP4
With 2 Nights in Nice & 3 Nights in LondonWLP2
With 2 Nights in Nice & 3 Nights in LondonWLP2
Grand France (Northbound)WLPQ
Grand France (Northbound)WLPQ

ITINERARY

Day 1

NICE 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

NICE 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
Breakfast

Day 3

NICE–PORT ST. LOUIS (EMBARKATION) Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Join a motorcoach transfer to board your Avalon Suite Ship. EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

Day 4

ARLES Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host ACTIVE Grab a Nordic walking stick for a walk with your Adventure Host. 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 that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh. Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) a unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer. Take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON
BreakfastLunch Dinner

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 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. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 6

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. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNON
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 7

TOURNON/TAIN L’HERMITAGE A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. 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 Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. In the late morning cruise to Vienne VIENNE Roman and Middle Age History CLASSIC Join a Guided Walking Tour of Vienne and discover this charming little town surrounded by steep hills. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 8

LYON Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France 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. Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ST. JEAN DE LOSNE
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 9

ST. JEAN DE LOSNE Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône Enjoy a leisurely cruising day along the majestic Saône River. 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. Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ST. JEAN DE LOSNE
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 10

ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (DISEMBARKATION) BEAUNE–DIJON–PARIS (EMBARKATION) Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris. CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-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

Day 11

VERNON Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour Start the day with a Morning Stretch with your Avalon Adventure Host. 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 CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine, OR: ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 12

CAUDEBEC Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine 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, OR: This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 13

CAUDEBEC. NORMANDY EXCURSIONS 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 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 14

ROUEN The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France 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, OR: ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser-known gems of Rouen on two wheels. EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 15

CONFLANS The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 16

PARIS Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the city of Lights 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
BreakfastLunch Dinner

Day 17

PARIS (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning

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