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17 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from French Riviera to Amsterdam 2026(WLAQ)
Rhine & Rhône Revealed with 2 Nights in French Riviera
Starting from $6,519Ship(s): Avalon Poetry II, Avalon View
Specialty Cruises: Wine Lovers; Jazz Lovers
River Cruise Description
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous European river cruise vacation along the Rhône, Saône, and Rhine Rivers. Begin with two overnights on the French Riviera and relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea. Embark on the Rhône River in Arles, France-famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and the site of its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. Take a guided walk in Tournon, a medieval treasure beautifully nestled among vineyards. Lyon is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Disembark and travel to Beaune, visit the Hôtel Dieu charity hospital before proceeding to Basel, Switzerland, to board your Rhine River cruise vessel. Your first stop is Breisach, the gateway to Germany's Black Forest, well known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and cuckoo clocks. In Strasbourg, France, stroll through the picturesque La Petite France district. Sail through the dramatic Rhine Gorge, the most beautiful view of the Rhine River where ancient castles stand on cliffs 400 feet above the water. A stay in Holland's popular, modern capital of Amsterdam is the perfect way to end this sensational European river cruise. The best way to see the treasures of this 700-year-old city is on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten lined with homes dating back to the city's "Golden Age."Thanks for your interest!
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I'm sorry, but an error has occurred. Try Again| Departure Date | Ship | Priced From (per person) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 29, 2026 Wine Lovers(WLAQ-T2) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $6,919 | Call Us! |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $7,289 | Call Us! |
| May 10, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $8,489 | Call Us! |
| Jun 21, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $8,079 | Call Us! |
| Jul 5, 2026 Jazz Lovers(WLAQ-T5) Throughout the French portion of your cruise, you’ll enjoy several onboard jazz performances and the chance to visit the Vienne Jazz Festival on your own. | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| Jul 19, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | Waitlist | Call Us! |
| Aug 2, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $7,979 | Call Us! |
| Aug 16, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $8,179 | Call Us! |
| Aug 30, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $9,079 | Call Us! |
| Sep 27, 2026 | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $8,479 | Call Us! |
| Oct 11, 2026 Wine Lovers(WLAQ-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $7,889 | Call Us! |
| Oct 25, 2026 Wine Lovers(WLAQ-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $6,889 | Call Us! |
| Nov 8, 2026 Wine Lovers(WLAQ-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon View, Avalon Poetry II | $6,519 | Call Us! |
Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are 3 types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:
Classic
Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You'll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.
Discovery
We've found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests — from cooking classes, to painting workshops — to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.
Active
Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go — from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.
- Plus independent exploration options and use of Avalon's exclusive AvalonGO APP.
River Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE
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 Center 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 Amphitheater in this visually stunning city.
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.
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:
Classic
Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on an 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 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 with its 16th-century castle.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
(B,L,D)
Day 8 LYON
La Vie En Rose in Lyon
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS
(B,L,D)
Day 9 TOURNUS–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE
Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône
Discovery
Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais 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 on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE
(B,L,D)
Day 10 CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION)–BEAUNE–BASEL, SWITZERLAND (EMBARKATION)
Drive to Beaune and transfer to Basel
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.
EVENING CRUISE TO BREISACH
(B,D)
Day 11 BREISACH, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO BLACK FOREST
German Winemaking and the Beautiful Black Forest
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.Active
Enjoy the view on a relaxing bike ride along the Rhine with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery
Join a full-day Guided Tour to the magical Black Forest to experience the Vogtsbauernhof open-air-museum, visit an authentic water mill, and see a traditional butter-making demonstration, OR:
Classic
Join a Guided Tour to explore Freiburg’s medieval city center, sheltered by the Black Forest amid vineyards and gardens of the Upper Rhine Valley.
You may choose to join a Guided Optional Excursion to visit the charming village of Colmar in the morning, with its half-timbered medieval and early renaissance buildings.
EVENING CRUISE TO KEHL
(B,L,D)
Day 12 KEHL. EXCURSION TO STRASBOURG, FRANCE
A Grand Cathedral and La Petite France
Active
Discover Strasbourg by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic
Join a City Sightseeing Tour, including Strasbourg’s Gothic, stained-glass cathedral with its celebrated ancient murals and astronomical clock, as well as the magical La Petite France District.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAINZ
(B,L,D)
Day 13 MAINZ, GERMANY. EXCURSION TO HEIDELBERG
Castle Walls and the World’s Biggest Wine Barrel
Active
Join your Avalon Adventure Host for an inspiring walk in Heidelberg, the Philosophers' way, OR:
Classic
Enjoy a Guided Tour to Heidelberg Castle to see the ruins of the magnificent renaissance treasure towering above the city, and its famed Great Vat, the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel,” OR:
Classic
Enjoy a Guided City Walk including a visit to the Gutenberg Museum to see the captivating history of printing.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN RÜDESHEIM
(B,L,D)
Day 14 RÜDESHEIM–RHINE GORGE
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Wine Country
Active
Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host through the picturesque vineyards of Rüdesheim, OR:
Discovery
Take a Guided Tour of the incredible Mechanical Music Museum for a one-of-a-kind instrumental experience; enjoy a tasting of the authentic Rüdesheimer coffee.
KOBLENZ
Travel Through 2000 Years of Monumental History
Enjoy free time in Koblenz before a relaxing evening on board with dinner and live entertainment. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KOBLENZ
(B,L,D)
Day 15 COLOGNE
Prost! Celebrate in the Rhineland
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.Active
Enjoy a bike ride like the locals in Cologne with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery
Choose a Guided Walking Tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites. OR:
Classic
Take a Guided City Walk of Cologne—with its soaring twin-steepled gothic cathedral.
AFTERNOON/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
(B,L,D)
Day 16 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
Active
Start your day joining your Adventure Host on an early morning walk in Amsterdam, OR:
Discovery
Discover the true beauty of Amsterdam with an off-the-beaten-path Guided Walking Tour through its cobblestone streets for a captivating look at this legendary city, OR:
Classic
Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.”
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
(B,L,D)
Day 17 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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