Itinerary
- Day 1
Nice
You're starting along the French Riviera with the whole day open to explore. This Mediterranean coast runs from Toulon all the way to the Italian border, so there's plenty of ground to cover if you want. Walk around, relax on the beach, or wander through the seaside towns at your own pace.
- Day 2
Nice
A guided tour takes you through Vieux Nice, the old city that's stayed mostly unchanged since the 1700s. The narrow, twisting streets wind past baroque churches and charming corners. You'll get a real feel for how the city looked centuries ago, and the architecture tells the story of Nice's long history.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided Sightseeing in Nice
Landmarks/POIs Vieux Nice - Day 3
Nice to Arles
You'll board a motorcoach heading to Arles, where your Avalon Suite Ship is waiting. After you arrive, you'll check in and get settled into your suite. The ship stays docked for the evening, so there's time to explore a bit or just relax and get oriented.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Motorcoach transfer to Avalon Suite Ship
- Day 4
Arles
Several options are available in Arles this morning. You can do a power walk to stay active, join a painting workshop to learn van Gogh's techniques, or take a guided walking tour that includes the Roman Amphitheater. Later, you'll visit Café Van Gogh before the ship sails toward Avignon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Power Walk in Arles with Adventure Host
- Painting Workshop - van Gogh techniques
- Guided Walking Tour of Arles with Roman Amphitheater visit
Optional Activities
- Stop at Le Café Van Gogh for wine
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheater of Arles - Day 5
Avignon
In Avignon, you can either bike around the city or join a guided sightseeing tour of the fortress city with its ramparts and the Palace of the Popes. Museums and cultural sites are open for exploring on your own. Optional day trips include the Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard or wine cellars in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Live entertainment happens this evening on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour discovery of Avignon with Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon with Palace of the Popes
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Pont du Gard
- Guided Optional Excursion to Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine cellars
- Self-guided exploration of Avignon's art, culture, museums and monuments
Landmarks/POIs Palace of the Popes Pont du Gard Pont Saint-Bénézet - Day 6
Avignon to Tain l'Hermitage
The ship sails leisurely to Viviers, and you can choose between a guided hike up to the hilltop cathedral or a walking tour of the village with its Romanesque cathedral and historical Old Town. Later on board, you'll taste local specialties as the ship continues cruising to Tain l'Hermitage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Hike to Viviers hilltop Cathedral with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Viviers
- Local Specialties Tasting on board
Landmarks/POIs Viviers Cathedral - Day 7
Tain l'Hermitage to Lyon
In Tournon, pick a guided hike or walking tour to explore one of France's oldest medieval cities, including its 16th-century castle and Roman ruins. By early afternoon, the ship cruises to Lyon, and live entertainment is on board for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning Hike in Tournon with Adventure Host
- Guided Walking Tour of Tournon
Landmarks/POIs Tournon Castle - Day 8
Lyon to Tournus
You can bike through Lyon or join a guided sightseeing tour covering Fourvière Hill with its many churches, the Old Town's medieval alleyways, and Place des Terreaux with cafés and its lively fountain. After some free time to explore on your own, the ship sails to Tournus with live entertainment on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour of Lyon's architectural district with Adventure Host
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Lyon from Fourvière Hill and Old Town
Optional Activities
- Free time biking through Lyon's town squares and along riverside banks
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Hill Place des Terreaux - Day 9
Tournus to Chalon-sur-Saône
A trip takes you into the rolling Mâconnais region to learn about the famous Chardonnay vineyards and attend a wine tasting in a medieval castle's cellars. The afternoon cruise is relaxed, and you'll taste local cheeses on board as the ship heads to Chalon-sur-Saône. Live entertainment happens this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Mâconnais region with wine tasting in medieval castle cellar
- Cheese Tasting on board
- Day 10
Chalon-sur-Saône to Paris
You'll drive to Beaune to visit the Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital, built in 1443 and housing van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgment. This afternoon, a high-speed train takes you from Dijon to Paris, where you'll board your Suite Ship for an evening cruise to Vernon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune
Landmarks/POIs Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital - Day 11
Vernon to Les Andelys
In Vernon, choose between walking to the Chateau des Tourelles, a guided tour of Giverny (Monet's home and gardens), or visiting Bizy Castle. On board, you'll enjoy traditional French crêpes and a pastry demonstration, then cruise to Les Andelys. There, hike to Château Gaillard ruins or walk through this charming Seine riverside village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walk of Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles with Adventure Host
- Guided Tour of Giverny - Monet's house, flower and water gardens
- Guided Visit to Bizy Castle
- Traditional French crêpes on board
- Pastry Demonstration
- Guided Hike to Château Gaillard ruins
- Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys
Landmarks/POIs Giverny Bizy Castle Château Gaillard - Day 12
Les Andelys to Caudebec
Take a relaxing bike ride along the river or join a guided trip on the Normandy Abbeys Route to discover medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches built along the Seine (over 100 of them). An optional excursion goes to the old seaside town of Honfleur. An onboard lecture about D-Day happens before docking in Caudebec.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided bike ride along the river with Adventure Host
- Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route
- Onboard Lecture about D-Day Normandy landing
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Honfleur
- Day 13
Caudebec to Rouen
Three guided tour options are available. See U.S. WWII landing beaches including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery, British and Canadian commemorative sites like Pegasus Memorial and Juno Beach Center, or experience authentic Normandy with a brandy tasting in Calvados. Live entertainment is on board before cruising to Rouen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII U.S. landing beaches with Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and American Cemetery
- Guided Tour of British and Canadian commemorative sites including Pegasus Memorial and Juno Beach Center
- Guided Tour of Normandy traditions with brandy tasting in Calvados
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Pointe du Hoc American Cemetery Normandy Pegasus Memorial Juno Beach Center - Day 14
Rouen to Conflans
Choose between a guided bike tour exploring Rouen's famous monuments and hidden spots, or a guided walking tour of this historic city, home of Joan of Arc. You'll see the medieval quarter, the 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral before sailing to Conflans.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Bike Tour of Rouen
- Guided Walking Tour of Rouen with Joan of Arc sites, medieval quarter, Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs Notre-Dame Cathedral of Rouen - Day 15
Conflans to Paris
Pick a relaxing bike ride along the Seine, a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise (where Vincent van Gogh lived), or a guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison (Napoleon's home). An optional excursion takes you to the Palace of Versailles. Live entertainment happens this evening before sailing to Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided bike ride along the Seine with Adventure Host
- Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise
- Guided tour of Château de Malmaison
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles
Landmarks/POIs Auvers-sur-Oise Château de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 16
Paris
Explore Paris with your choice: a walking tour along the Seine, a guided walk through Paris's ancient heart featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, Île de la Cité, and Latin Quarter, or a guided city tour of iconic sites like the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Champs-Élysées. Stroll on your own and enjoy wine in a Left Bank literary café.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour along the Seine with Adventure Host
- Guided Walk through ancient Paris - Palais-Royal, Louvre, Île de la Cité, Left Bank, Latin Quarter
- Guided City Tour of Paris - Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, Champs-Élysées
Optional Activities
- Self-guided strolling through Paris
- Wine in a literary café on the Left Bank
Landmarks/POIs Louvre Museum Arc de Triomphe Eiffel Tower Opéra Garnier Champs-Élysées Palais-Royal Île de la Cité - Day 17
Paris to Bordeaux
This morning you'll travel to Bordeaux to board your Suite Ship and begin your cruise on the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers. You'll settle into your accommodations and the ship docks for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Bordeaux
- Boarding of Avalon Suite Ship
- Day 18
Bordeaux to Pauillac
On board, a wine presentation by a sommelier covers Bordeaux wines. Choose between a guided tour of Château de la Brède (birthplace of Montesquieu) or a guided wine tasting at a local estate featuring Sauternes wine. Live entertainment happens this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Onboard wine presentation by world-class sommelier
- Guided tour of Château de la Brède
- Guided visit with wine tasting at local wine estate
Landmarks/POIs Château de la Brède - Day 19
Pauillac to Blaye
The ship sails leisurely to Cussac Fort Médoc. Pick an E-bike guided tour through Bordeaux's wine region, a guided tour of a Margaux château with wine tasting, or a scenic drive through Médoc wine country with tastings of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A brief sailing follows to Blaye for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- E-bike guided tour in Bordeaux wine region
- Guided tour of Margaux château with wine tasting
- Scenic drive through Médoc wine country with wine tasting
- Day 20
Blaye to Bourg
In Blaye, choose a power walk through the historic Citadel, a guided tour including a local art gallery with wine tasting, or a panoramic drive along the Route de la Corniche with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Citadel. The afternoon sails to Bourg, where you can walk the Citadel and carriage museum or take an optional excursion to learn about Cognac production with a Rémy Martin tasting. Live entertainment happens tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Power walk through the historic Citadel of Blaye with Adventure Host
- Guided tour of Blaye including art gallery with wine tasting
- Panoramic drive along Route de la Corniche with guided visit to Citadel of Blaye
- Walking tour in Citadel of Bourg with carriage museum visit
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to learn about Cognac production with Rémy Martin tasting
Landmarks/POIs Citadel of Blaye Citadel of Bourg - Day 21
Bourg to Libourne
Three activities are available in Saint-Émilion. Take a guided visit to this wine-growing town with wine tasting, a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage medieval village, or an orientation walking tour of Libourne's 12th-century fortified town. An onboard lecture about WWII hosted by a history expert follows.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Saint-Émilion wine-growing town with wine tasting
- Guided tour of medieval village of Saint-Émilion
- Orientation walking tour of Libourne
Optional Activities
- Onboard lecture about WWII
Landmarks/POIs Saint-Émilion - Day 22
Libourne to Bordeaux
A pastry demonstration happens while the ship sails to Bordeaux. Choose between a bike ride along Bordeaux's riverside with postcard views of Les Quais, or a guided walking tour of the city's heart featuring beautiful squares, avenues, and cathedrals.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Pastry demonstration while sailing
- Bike ride along Bordeaux's Les Quais with Adventure Host
- Guided walking tour of Bordeaux
- Day 23
Bordeaux
Pick a bike ride along Bordeaux's Les Quais, a guided tour of La Cité du Vin (Bordeaux's wine museum), or a full-day guided tour of Arcachon on the Atlantic coast with 19th-century architecture and local oyster and wine tasting. An optional immersive art experience at Les Bassins des Lumières is also available.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride along Bordeaux's Les Quais with Adventure Host
- Guided tour of La Cité du Vin
- Full-day guided tour of Arcachon with oysters and wine tasting
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Les Bassins des Lumières
Landmarks/POIs La Cité du Vin Arcachon Les Bassins des Lumières - Day 24
Bordeaux
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning, and then you'll depart from Bordeaux.
- Meals
- Breakfast
