This marvelous vacation showcases France’s exciting scenery, history, and culture as you sail along its beautiful rivers. Embark in Paris and head northwest along the Seine River into the picturesque Normandy region. Dock at Vernon and choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or remarkable Bizy Castle. On to Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen, where you choose between an included excursion to the poignant Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating “Taste of Normandy.” Continue to Les Andelys—home of Château Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196—and enjoy guided sightseeing or a visit to the château. In Conflans choose between a guided excursion to Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison before heading back to Paris, where you’ll disembark and travel south to fascinating Beaune for a wine tasting. In Chalon-sur-Saône, board your second cruise ship and sail on to medieval Tournus, Mâcon, the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, Viviers, Avignon, and Arles as well as France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, where you have time to explore this fascinating city. Your vacation ends with two overnights in the Provence region and a final overnight on the stunning Côte d’Azur.
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Paris, France (Embarkation). Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine, the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception at 6 pm. During dinner, your ship glides smoothly out of Paris. (D)
Day #2 Vernon. This morning during breakfast arrive in Vernon and later 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. There’s plenty of time to discover delightful Vernon on your own this afternoon or simply relax on board. (B,L,D)
Day #3 Vernon - Rouen. During the night the Avalon Creativity leaves for Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy. This important commercial city is 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 take your pictures of the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur. (B,L,D)
Day #4 Rouen. Make your choice today of 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. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is Calvados, a strong apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. This evening enjoy a Normandy dinner featuring specialties of the region, as you depart Rouen and head for Les Andelys. (B,L,D )
Day #5 Les Andelys - Conflans. During the night your ship arrives in Les Andelys. Here one of most dramatic sights along the Seine is imposing Château Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, and truly a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Explore this delightful small town or visit the CHÂTEAU with a Local Expert before departing for Conflans. (B,L,D)
Day #6 Conflans - Paris. After breakfast, 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 to Napoleon and Josephine’s CHÂTEAU de MALMAISON just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it “the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation.” This evening arrive in Paris.(B,L,D)
Day #7 Paris. Paris’ famous sights are living history. This morning's 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. An optional outing to one of the world’s most famous cabaret shows, the Moulin Rouge, might make the perfect finale to your Seine cruise vacation. (B,L,D)
Day #8 Paris (Disembarkation)–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône (Embarkation)–Tournus. 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. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception as your ship departs for Tournus. (B,D)
Day #9 Tournus–Mâcon. After breakfast, a local expert will show you the highlights of this delightful town, tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy. Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, with a superb ABBEY, St. Philibert, part of which dates back to the 10th century. There’s free time to stroll through the quaint streets or to explore the arts and crafts shops near the abbey. After lunch, your ship departs for Mâcon, a city with a rich history and which plays an important role in the wine trade. A choice of optional excursions, including a visit to a wine cellar, is available. (B,L,D)
Day #10 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. Roman remains, many excellent museums, and much renaissance architecture delight the visitor. Survey the city from Fourvière Hill and explore the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its maze of medieval alleyways, Place des Terreaux, and the beautiful Place Bellecour. Beaujolais is the wine of the region and wine connoisseurs will know that the grapes must be hand picked. Tradition dictates that the “Beaujolais Nouveau” is tasted for the first time on the third Thursday of November each year. (B,L,D)
Day #11 Lyon. A free day in this fascinating city to explore at leisure. Early risers might like to visit the local produce market. Your Cruise Director will have plenty of suggestions for things to do. (B,L,D)
Day #12 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 #13 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 #14 Camargue–Arles. During the night your ship will have sailed to Port St. Louis on the mouth of the Rhône. If you are an early riser, you might like to watch the sun come up over the Camargue, and then take in the tranquil scenes as you sail through this nature park toward Arles during breakfast. On arrival in Arles, the capital of the Provence region, located on the northern tip of the Camargue, a local expert will show you the city. Take in sights such as the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alyscamps,” the remains of the Gallo-Roman burial road; and visit the ROMAN AMPHITHEATER. This afternoon, there is free time to relax or join an optional excursion. (B,L,D)
Day #15 Arles (Disembarkation)–Provence Region. After breakfast, disembark and drive through the “Petite Camargue” to AIGUES-MORTES with its impressive towers and defensive walls, embedded in a melancholy landscape of pools, marshes, and salt pans. Later, drive to Saint Rémy de Provence. (B)
Day #16 Saint Rémy, Provence. Excursion to Nîmes. Today, explore the small, dynamic city of Saint Rémy de Provence, rich in history and tradition. Visit the ST. PAUL DE MAUSOLE MONASTERY, the asylum where Van Gogh spent his final days. In the afternoon, drive to Nîmes and visit the NÎMES ARENA, the best preserved amphitheater of the Roman era, and the ROMAN FOUNTAIN GARDENS. (B)
Day #17 Saint Rémy–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 #18 Côte d’Azur. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
