Compare Burgundy & Provence with 2 Nights in Nice & 2 Nights in Paris (Northbound) by Avalon Waterways vs A picturesque wine tour in Paris, Burgundy & Provence by Paris-Toujours

Day 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.

(Breakfast)

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Day 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

(Breakfast,Dinner)

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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

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 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

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 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

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 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

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 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

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 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

(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

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Day 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.

(Breakfast)

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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.

(Breakfast)

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Day 12: PARIS

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(Breakfast)

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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