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Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Nice & 2 Nights in Paris (Northbound) 2024
12 Day River Cruise Nice to Paris
Tour Description:
Begin with two overnights in captivating Nice on the French Riviera, and relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea. Take a wondrous European river cruise through beautiful views of France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Embark your ship in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and site of a 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 a medieval treasure of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle in the city of Tournon, beautifully nestled among vineyards. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux and stand in front of the famous fountain seen on postcards. This French river cruise vacation 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 landmarks of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more.
Click for larger view.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing| Day 1 Nice: | Welcome to France |
| Day 2 Nice: | Guided tour |
| Day 3 Nice-Arles (Embarkation): | Transfer to the ship; onboard welcome reception |
| Day 4 Arles: | Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop, or walk with your Adventure Host |
| Day 5 Avignon: | Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes |
| Day 6 Viviers: | Guided walk, visit the Old Town and the cathedral or walk with your Adventure Host |
| Day 7 Tain l'Hermitage: | Choice of guided walk in Tournon or hike with your Adventure Host |
| Day 8 Lyon: | Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill |
| Day 9 Tournus–Chalon-sur-Saône: | Chardonnay excursion with tasting; Cheese tasting on board |
| Day 10 Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)-Beaune-Dijon-Paris: | Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; high-speed train from Dijon to Paris |
| Day 11 Paris: | Choice of guided sightseeing or 'Heart of Paris' walking tour to see Paris' historic sights |
| Day 12 Paris: | Your vacation ends this morning |
Notes:
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1
NICE 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.
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Day 2
NICE 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.
NICE-STREET-VIEW.jpg
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 3
NICE–ARLES (EMBARKATION) Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Join a motorcoach transfer to board your Avalon Suite Ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
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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.
Take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 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.
Guided Optional Excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.
Explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.
Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON
AVIGNON-BRIDGE.jpg
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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 a late 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
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BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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.
In the early afternoon, cruise to Lyon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
TOURNON.jpg
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
LYON Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France
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.
Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet.
Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS
LYON-BRIDGE.jpg
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 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.
Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE
TOURNUS.jpg
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION)–BEAUNE–DIJON–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 one of France’s architectural highlights.
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Day 11
PARIS Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the city of Light
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 the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.
Spend your free time strolling through the Champs-Élysées for café au lait and croissants, see the exhibits at the Louvre, visit Montmartre’s Basilica of the Sacré Cœur.
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Breakfast
BreakfastDay 12
PARIS Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
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Breakfast
Breakfast Accommodations
Accommodations| Nice | Paris |
Le Meridien Nice
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
1, Promenade Des Anglais Nice Cedex 1 France
With a "touch of chic" inspired by the timeless elegance of the Côte d'Azur, Le Méridien Nice is an authentic jewel located facing the Mediterranean Sea on world famous Promenade des Anglais. It is a few steps from the pedestrian area with its many fashion boutique, shops, restaurants, and bars. The Old Town is also within walking distance. Discover signature cocktails at the bar or enjoy a tasty dinner inspired by the region on the panoramic rooftop restaurant while watching the sunset. Relax in the heated outdoor pool or exercise in the fitness centre. Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access is provided. The refined and exotic interior design inspired by the Golden Sixties gives each of the 318 guestrooms a unique sun-drenched style featuring soft Mediterranean blue and sandy beige shades. Fully air conditioned rooms include a flat-screen TV with international channels, coffee/tea maker facilities, in-room safe, minibar, iron and ironing board, and free wireless high speed internet access.
First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
1, Promenade Des Anglais Nice Cedex 1 France
With a "touch of chic" inspired by the timeless elegance of the Côte d'Azur, Le Méridien Nice is an authentic jewel located facing the Mediterranean Sea on world famous Promenade des Anglais. It is a few steps from the pedestrian area with its many fashion boutique, shops, restaurants, and bars. The Old Town is also within walking distance. Discover signature cocktails at the bar or enjoy a tasty dinner inspired by the region on the panoramic rooftop restaurant while watching the sunset. Relax in the heated outdoor pool or exercise in the fitness centre. Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access is provided. The refined and exotic interior design inspired by the Golden Sixties gives each of the 318 guestrooms a unique sun-drenched style featuring soft Mediterranean blue and sandy beige shades. Fully air conditioned rooms include a flat-screen TV with international channels, coffee/tea maker facilities, in-room safe, minibar, iron and ironing board, and free wireless high speed internet access.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
