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19 Days Grand France W/ Provence Ext Tour Package
Duration: 19 Days / 18 Nights
Priced From: $5,038 pp Dbl. Occ.
Dates: Apr - Oct
Combine two exciting river cruises and get a taste of the variety that France has to offer—not only in scenery but in food and drink! The Seine river and the picturesque Normandy region, and the charming and historic cities along the Saône and Rhône Rivers. Apple cider and Calvados in the north, fine wines and cognac in the south. Apple trees in Normandy, vineyards in Provence. From the big city of Paris to the elegant Côte d’Azur. All this plus two overnights in the breathtaking Provence region are yours to discover on this comprehensive river cruise vacation.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Board your overnight transatlantic flight.
Day 2 Paris, France (Embarkation)
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (D)
Day 3 Paris
Paris’ famous sights are living history: your included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Paris–Conflans
Enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine. This afternoon, dock at Conflans—and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or the guided visit to SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, which boasts a 14th-century château with views over the Seine Valley toward Paris. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Vernon
This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Rouen
Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy, perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Rouen
Make your choice today between an included excursion to the historic Normandy landing beaches—with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery—or a “Taste of Normandy” for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. This afternoon we explore the Calvados region, famous for apple brandy and cider. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Les Andelys
The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing CHÂTEAU GAILLARD at Les Andelys. Built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the château is truly a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Paris (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)
After breakfast today, bid farewell to the crew of the Avalon Creativity and head south into Burgundy. Beaune owes its wealth to the production, aging, and selling of fine wines. Its most famous historical site, the HÔTEL-DIEU charity hospital, houses Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement and is one of France’s architectural highlights. Enjoy a TASTING of Burgundy wines before continuing to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board the Avalon Scenery
Welcome aboard the Avalon Scenery. Before dinner, meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (B,D)
Day 10 Chalon-sur-Saône–Tournus–Mâcon
This morning, explore the NICÉPHORE NIÉPCE photography museum in Chalon-sur-Saône at your own pace. After lunch, enjoy free time in Tournus. The cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection, located in an old family mansion, are worth a visit. Later, cruise to Mâcon. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Beaujolais Region–Lyon
Enjoy a leisurely morning cruising on the Rhône. Lyon is France’s second-largest city and its gastronomic capital. Founded by the Romans in 43 BC, the city’s prosperity dates back to the 16th century and is due to commercial, industrial, and banking activities. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. An optional dinner gives gourmets insight into the local haute cuisine. (B,L,D)
Day 12 Lyon
A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. (B,L,D)
Day 13 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the River Rhône and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Charming Viviers developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences. (B,L,D)
Day 14 Avignon
Avignon, also referred to as the “City of Popes,” was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. Optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 15 Arles
Arles is the capital of the Provence and was once known as the “Little Rome of Gaul.” See the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. (B,L,D)
Day 16 Arles (Disembarkation)–Provence Region
Disembark and follow the remaining stretch of the Rhône into its Delta—the CAMARGUE. Visit the city of AIGUES-MORTES with its impressive towers and defensive walls, embedded in a melancholy landscape of pools, marshes, and salt pans. (B)
Day 17 Provence Region
Your day starts with a guided tour of NÎMES, the heart of the Provence region and a city of arts and culture. This evening you might like to join an optional excursion to taste some of the local specialties this region has to offer. (B)
Day 18 Provence Region–Côte d’Azur
This morning is dedicated to AIX-EN-PROVENCE, one of France’s most elegant cities. After lunch, head east past Cézanne’s Mount St. Victoire to the Côte d’Azur. (B)
Day 19 Côte d’Azur
Your homebound flight from Nice arrives the same day.
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