Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll arrive at the airport and take a transfer into central Paris to reach your hotel. Later in the evening, you'll meet up with the other travelers and your Tour Director at a Welcome Reception so everyone can get to know each other before the trip really starts.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paris)
Included Activities
- Welcome Reception with fellow travellers and Tour Director
- Day 2
Paris Guided Tour
Start with a guided tour covering Paris's main attractions like the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. After that, the afternoon is free to wander around the city on your own and check out whatever catches your interest.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paris)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Paris including Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe
Landmarks Avenue des Champs-Élysées Arc de Triomphe - Day 3
Paris Free Exploration
This is your day to explore Paris however you want. Wander through the bohemian Latin Quarter, head to the Louvre Museum for art, or take advantage of optional experiences like a food-focused walking tour through the Marais or dinner and cabaret at Moulin Rouge if that appeals to you.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paris)
Optional Activities
- Culinary Walking Tour of the Marais district with food sampling
- Dinner and Parisian cabaret show at Moulin Rouge including French Cancan performance
Landmarks Latin Quarter Louvre Museum Marais District Moulin Rouge - Day 4
Giverny Day Excursion
Travel to Giverny to visit Claude Monet's former home and gardens. You'll walk through the spaces that inspired his famous paintings, including the water garden with its Japanese bridge, water lilies, wisteria, and azaleas.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Paris)
Included Activities
- Visit to Monet's House and Garden
Landmarks Monet's House and Garden - Day 5
Paris to Lyon River Cruise Embarkation
After breakfast, leave Paris and head by coach to Lyon, where you'll board the MS Van Gogh river cruise ship. Get settled into your suite, explore the ship's social spaces, and later join a welcome cocktail reception with the other guests and crew.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard MS Van Gogh)
Included Activities
- Coach transfer from Paris to Lyon
- Embarkation on MS Van Gogh
- Welcome cocktail reception aboard ship
- Day 6
Lyon Guided Tour and French Gastronomic Experience
You'll get a guided tour of Lyon, which is famous for its food scene. Head up Fourvière Hill to see the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, walk through the charming old buildings in Vieux Lyon, and do a tasting at Paul Bocuse's Les Halles featuring regional dishes. Later that evening, return to the ship and sail along the Saône River to Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or for dinner at Paul Bocuse's restaurant, where his innovative cooking earned him three Michelin stars.
- Meals
- Dinner (Authentic French meal at Paul Bocuse's Abbaye de Collonges with innovative and unique approach to cuisine featuring fresh, high-quality ingredients prepared by world-class chefs)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard MS Van Gogh)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon
- Visit to Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvrière
- Visit to Vieux Lyon (Old Town)
- Tasting at Paul Bocuse's Les Halles de Lyon
- French Gastronomic Experience at Paul Bocuse's Abbaye de Collonges
Landmarks Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvrière Vieux Lyon - Day 7
Tain L'Hermitage to Avignon
Arrive at Tain L'Hermitage this morning with the option to visit Cité du Chocolat at the Valrhona Discovery Centre if you want an interactive chocolate experience. Then continue cruising to Avignon, a city filled with Provençal character and history. There's live entertainment on board this evening.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard MS Van Gogh)
Optional Activities
- Tour of Cité du Chocolat with interactive exhibits and taste samples at Valrhona Discovery Centre
Landmarks Cité du Chocolat 
- Day 8
Avignon Guided Tour
Join a guided tour exploring Avignon's history as a center of the Catholic Church. See the medieval Palace of the Popes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and walk through the historic city center learning about the building's past as a fortress and papal home. After that, head back to the ship and continue toward Arles.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard MS Van Gogh)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Avignon
- Visit to Palace of the Popes
Landmarks Palace of the Popes 
- Day 9
Arles Free Exploration or Camargue Excursion
Spend the day exploring Arles at your own pace. This World Heritage site has an impressive collection of ancient Roman artifacts and cultural heritage. Alternatively, you can take a full-day excursion into the Camargue to see the coastal region's wildlife and landscape, visit a traditional manade farm, and experience the area's unique character.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard MS Van Gogh)
Optional Activities
- Full-day excursion to the Camargue with visit to traditional manade farm
Landmarks Camargue - Day 10
Viviers Guided Tour and Gorges de l'Ardèche Option
This morning, join a guided tour of Viviers with a local expert. See the House of Knights with its Renaissance facade, stop at Saint Michel Tower and the Great Seminary, and take in views from the overlook. You can relax on the ship as you cruise toward La Voulte-sur-Rhône, or sign up for an optional coach tour to the Gorges de l'Ardèche canyon. There's a Gala Dinner on board tonight.
- Meals
- Dinner (Gala Dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (aboard MS Van Gogh)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Viviers
- Visit to House of Knights
- Visit to Saint Michel Tower
- Visit to Great Seminary
- Overlook viewing of Viviers
- Gala Dinner aboard ship
Optional Activities
- Panoramic coach tour to Gorges de l'Ardèche with view of Pont d'Arc natural stone arch
Landmarks House of Knights Saint Michel Tower Gorges de l'Ardèche Pont d'Arc 
- Day 11
Departure
After breakfast, leave the river cruise ship and get transferred to the airport for your onward flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer
