River Cruise: Burgundy & Provence

Day 1-2: En Route / Arrive in Côte d'Azur, France
Welcome to France’s Mediterranean coast! After your arrival, head to your hotel on the Côte d’Azur and enjoy some time at leisure to settle in.
Overnight: Fairmont Monte Carlo

Day 3: Côte d'Azur / Arles (Embarkation)
This morning, head west to Aix. Enjoy a special-included guided tour of Aix. Enjoy some free time to browse a local market. Stop by Bastide Jas de Bouffan, where for 40 years, Paul Cézanne found his main sources of inspiration. The vessel is waiting for you in Arles. At a welcome reception, meet your crew and captain.
Overnight: Avalon Scenery (B,D)

Day 4: Arles
Until the 5th century, Provence was known as Provincia Romana by the Romans who controlled the region. In Arles, step into the “Little Rome of Gaul,” view the Romanesque St. Trophine church, and a Roman Amphitheater where spectators cheered bloody battles and races for centuries. At the “Foundation Vincent Van Gogh,” reflect on the special light of Provence captured by the artist, and learn about the time he spent painting while living here.
Overnight: Avalon Scenery (B,L,D)

Day 5: Avignon / Pont du Gard
On an Orbridge-included excursion this morning, stop to photograph the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, built over 2,000 years ago. Spend most of the day at Pont du Gard, or opt to continue to Uzès and let the medieval town overlooking the Alzon Valley charm you with its history and beauty. Later, visit the Palace of the Popes and ponder its significance in Europe’s medieval history.
Overnight: Avalon Scenery (B,L,D)

Day 6: Viviers
Relax on board this morning as we glide by never-ending vistas of French farmland and riverside towns. In Viviers, stop for a guided walk through the old town, noting architectural influences spanning a millennium, walking under Napoleon’s plane trees, and visiting the oldest cathedral in France still in use.
Overnight: Avalon Scenery (B,L,D)

Day 7: Tournon / Vienne
Famed for both wine and chocolate making, discover the charming town of Tournon. Roman ruins and a 16th-century castle overlook Tournon, one of France’s oldest medieval cities. This afternoon, travel to Vienne, situated between the wine regions of Burgundy and Beaujolais. Visit a Roman temple and enjoy breathtaking views of the Rhône River.
Overnight: Avalon Scenery (B,L,D)

Day 8: Lyon
Remarkable Roman structures and renaissance architecture await in Lyon, France’s second-largest city and gastronomic capital. Meander through a maze of medieval
alleyways in its old town. Visit the dominant Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Gaze upon Fourvière Hill, the historic Place des Terreaux, and the largest pedestrian square in Europe — Place Bellecour. Remember to seek out the renowned Beaujolais, wine made from hand-picked grapes.
Overnight: Avalon Scenery (B,L,D)

Day 9: Mâcon / Tournus / Chalon
After breakfast, take the Orbridge-included excursion off the beaten path to Château de Cormatin, an impressive 17th-century estate. With the oldest French staircase of its kind and original furnishings, the structure stands as a perfect example of life to life of pre-revolutionary French aristocrats. Return to the ship for a short cruise to Tournus, where you have the option of exploring such sites as the cloister of St. Philibert or the Burgundy Museum’s folklore collection on your own.
Overnight: Avalon Scenery (B,L,D)

Day 10: Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation) / Beaune / Paris
Today, we bid adieu to the Avalon Scenery, and travel to the walled city of Beaune, producer of some of the Burgundy region’s finest vintages. Catch glimpse of its most famous architectural and historical site, the Hôtel-Dieu charity hospital, which also houses Rogier Van der Weyden’s The Last Judgment Polyptych. After lunch we head north to Paris, “The City of Light.”
Overnight: Radisson Blu Ambassador (B)

Day 11: Paris
Today is filled with the famous sights of Paris. On a guided coach tour, take in the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower. Later, check out the city’s colorful nightlife.
Overnight: Radisson Blu Ambassador (B)

Day 12: Depart Paris
After breakfast, take your complimentary transfer to the airport for flights home. (B)

Activities are generally not very strenuous, but a fair amount of walking can be expected. It is our expectation that guests on this program can comfortably walk for two hours or more and be sure-footed on cobbled surfaces and stairs.