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17 Day Avalon Waterways River Cruise from French Riviera to Paris 2026(WLPQ)
Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera
Starting from $6,519Ship(s): Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II
Specialty Cruises: Wine Lovers; Jazz Lovers
River Cruise Description
This incredible European river on the Rhône, Saône, and Seine Rivers highlights the best of France. Begin your adventure on the French Riviera before cruising. On the Rhône River from 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 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!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(WLPQ-T2) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $7,719 | Call Us! |
| Apr 12, 2026 | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $8,589 | Call Us! |
| May 10, 2026 | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $9,089 | Call Us! |
| Jun 21, 2026 | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $8,679 | Call Us! |
| Jul 5, 2026 Jazz Lovers(WLPQ-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 Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $8,479 | Call Us! |
| Jul 19, 2026 | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $8,479 | Call Us! |
| Aug 2, 2026 | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $8,479 | Call Us! |
| Aug 16, 2026 | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $8,579 | Call Us! |
| Aug 30, 2026 | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $9,629 | Call Us! |
| Sep 27, 2026 | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $9,079 | Call Us! |
| Oct 11, 2026 Wine Lovers(WLPQ-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $7,889 | Call Us! |
| Oct 25, 2026 Wine Lovers(WLPQ-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry II | $6,889 | Call Us! |
| Nov 8, 2026 Wine Lovers(WLPQ-T7) A Master of Wine will accompany you on this portion of your cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way. | Avalon Poetry II, Avalon Tapestry 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
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
Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights
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 that inspired the works of Vincent van Gogh.
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. See its 16th-century castle, and Roman ruins between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage.
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–DIJON–PARIS (EMBARKATION)
On to Paris
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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON
(B,D)
Day 11 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.
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
(B,L,D)
*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**This excursion will not be operated in November
Day 12 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC
(B,L,D)
Day 13 CAUDEBEC. EXCURSIONS 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 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.
EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN
(B,L,D)
Day 14 ROUEN
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, 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—home of the martyred Joan of Arc—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS
(B,L,D)
Day 15 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.
EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS
(B,L,D)
*Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly
Day 16 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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
(B,L,D)
Day 17 PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)
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