Compare Burgundy & Provence (Southbound) by Avalon Waterways vs A picturesque wine tour in Paris, Burgundy & Provence by Paris-Toujours
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 11 days |
| Price From | $ 3,599 | $ 5,950 |
| Price Per Day | $ 450 | $ 541 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Take in the beautiful countryside, quaint villages and towns, as you sail through the most captivating views of France. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. You’ll have plenty of time to explore this historical city further and be sure to sample Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, you’ll find the city of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle, where you’ll go on a guided walk. Continue your river cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day. |
A picturesque itinerary in Paris, Burgundy and Provence for a unique wine touring in France private experience. |
Day 1: CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding
Flights into Lyon must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS
(Dinner)
CHALON-SUR-SAONE-TOWN-SQUARE.jpg
Day 2: TOURNUS
Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
CLASSIC Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin.
DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
TOURNUS.jpg
Day 3: LYON
La Vie En Rose in Lyon
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.
ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR: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.DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance your lecture on board your ship. Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
LYON-CAFE.jpg
Day 4: LYON
Adventures in Food and Wine
DISCOVERY Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why Lyon is known as the gastronomic capital of France.The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals.
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
LYON-BRIDGE.jpg
Day 5: TOURNON
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.
VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country Village
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.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
VIVIERS-SCENIC.jpg
Day 6: AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
Join your Adventrue Host for today’s special activities.
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.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
AVIGNON-BRIDGE.jpg
Day 7: ARLES
A Brush with Genius
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.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
ARLES-PAINTING-CLASS.jpg
Day 8: ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.
(Breakfast)
ARLES-SCENIC.jpg
Day 1: Arrival day
Start of your wine touring in France experience as you arrive at the airport : welcome and transfer to your hotel in the center of Paris by your private driver. Free time to relax and wander in the lively streets around your hotel. Late afternoon, you will be picked-up at your hotel and transferred to a century-old cellar in the heart of Paris for a private wine tasting experience paired with regional produces. A nice introduction to the French wine regions diversity.
Day 2: Introduction to Paris
After breakfast, meet your private guide for an introduction of Paris with a walking tour on the Islands (Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis). Your guide will introduce Paris’ history while walking in front of many famous monuments. You will start with the Ile de La Cité where the Sainte-Chapelle was built to protect the relics of the Christ. You will also be able to see the gothic jewel, Notre-Dame Cathedral, dated from the 12th century.
Day 3: Day tour to Versailles & Monet's gardens
After breakfast, get picked up by your chauffeur and your guide for a private day tour to Versailles and Giverny. You will begin your day by visiting the Palace of Versailles. Along the visit discover its beautiful rooms of the King’s apartments and the spectacular gardens. After a lunch in Versailles you will continue your day with the visit of Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny before returning to your hotel in Paris.
Day 4: Parisian market tour & Eiffel Tower
After breakfast, you will have a 2-hour market tour in the 17th arrondissement. This Parisian market is located on the North-west of Paris and you’ll meet Parisians doing their daily shopping. You’ll be able to discover fresh produces as well as gourmet shops.
In the afternoon, self-visit the Eiffel Tower to the top floor with skip-the-line access. Take time to admire the breathtaking view over Paris.
Day 5: Walking tour in Le Marais
After breakfast your guide will pick you up for a walking tour in Le Marais. This neighborhood will impress you with its architecture with numerous private mansions (“hotels particuliers”) dating from when Henri IV made this an aristocratic neighborhood. It’s also a very lively districts with lots of restaurants and shops.
In the afternoon you’ll be driven to the train station and you’ll take your train to Dijon in Burgundy. You chauffeur will drive you to your hotel located in the heart of the old city of Dijon. A great way to admire the French countryside.
Day 6: Wine tour in Burgundy vineyards
Today you will have a private wine tour through the Burgundy vineyards. In the heart of beautiful landscapes, you will discover the Grands Crus wine road from Dijon to Meursault. You will be introduced to the Côtes de Nuits and Côtes de Beaune to discover prestigious wineries and to taste the great wines of Burgundy after an instructive walk in Gevrey-Chambertin vineyards. This private wine touring in France experience will be the opportunity to learn about the ‘climats’ of Burgundy, the soil specifics, and taste Grands Crus in centuries-old properties.
Day 7: Free day in Dijon
Enjoy a free day discovering the city of Dijon. You could for example follow the owl “Chouette” circuit to discover all the cultural gems of the city, and taste the local specialties such as the authentic Dijon mustard or the ginger bread at Mullot-Petitjean.
Day 8: Journey to Avignon
This morning you will take the train to Avignon. After checking-in at your charming B&B located in the heart of the old city of Avignon, take time to discover the narrow and cobbled streets bordered by somptuous 18th century private mansions. The Palace of the Popes, the biggest gothic palace in the world listed by UNESCO, is also a must see.
Day 9: Wine tour around the Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards
After breakfast your driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel for a private tour through the Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards. You will visit some wine estates located in the most famous wine areas such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras and Gigondas where you’ll be able to taste different wines. Amongst the different wineries you’ll discover gorgeous small Provencal villages like Seguret. This tasting day will be another wine touring in France experience to understand each region vineyards culture and cepages.
Day 10: Lavender fields & Luberon villages
Today you will discover the small villages of the Luberon. Some of them are classified as “the most beautiful villages in France”. You could discover Gordes which is a gorgeous perched village and the Abbey de Senanque which is surrounded by lavender fields. Another village that you will visit is Roussillon, a little village perched on an ochre cliff.
Day 11: Free time in Avignon and Farewell France
Enjoy some free time today to stroll around Avignon old town, have a lunch on a terrace at the feet of the Palace of Popes or on a small square facing a gothic church. During the day you will be transferred to the train station and you will take the high-speed train from Avignon to Paris and be transfered by chauffeur to CDG airport to spend the night before taking your flight on the next day
