Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine and the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air!

Day 2 Paris
Paris’ famous sights are living history: your 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 that includes some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows.(B)

Day 3 Paris–Beaune–Chalon-sur-Saône-(Embarkation)-Tournus
After breakfast, drive south past the forest of Fontainebleau, favorite hunting grounds of a long line of French kings, and into Burgundy. Beaune, the unofficial capital of the Côte d’Or area—which produces the region’s finest vintages—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 south to Chalon-sur-Saône, where you’ll board your river cruise vessel. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception as your ship departs for Tournus.(B,D)

Day 4 Tournus–Mâcon
After breakfast a local expert will show you the highlights of this delightful town, tucked away in the south-east corner of Burgundy. The town 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. Then 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 that 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 5 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, The World Heritage List includes over 800 properties with cultural and/or natural heritage of global significancewith 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 6 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 7 Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage–Viviers
The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage lie nestled among vineyards between the Rhône River and the granite slopes of the Hermitage. Tournon, with its imposing 16th-century castle and Roman ruins, is one of France’s oldest medieval cities. Another charming town, Viviers, was developed around its ROMANESQUE CATHEDRAL, and the OLD TOWN has an appealing mix of Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.(B,L,D)

Day 8 Avignon
The fortified city of Avignon is the capital of the Vaucluse region, the most picturesque part of Provence. Also referred to as the “City of Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century, and the city landscape is dominated by the grandiose PALACE OF THE POPES. A photo of the bridge of the popular song is a must, and optional outings to Pont du Gard or to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape are available this afternoon.(B,L,D)

Day 9 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, located on the northern tip of the Camargue and the capital of the Provence region, a local expert will show you the city. Take in sights such as the church of St. Trophime; “Les Alycamps,” 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 10 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 St. Rémy de Provence.(B)

Day 11 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.

Day 12 Saint Rémy–Côte d’Azur
This morning is dedicated to AIX-EN-PROVENCE, one of France’s most elegant cities. Shaded Cours Mirabeau, colorful squares, and famous cafés and fountains can be discovered on a stroll around the city. After lunch, head east past Cézanne’s Mount St. Victoire to the Côte d’Azur.(B)

Day 13 Côte d’Azur
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.(B)

Opportunities abound on this grand vacation to learn about France and to taste its sumptuous wines and cuisine. Your journey begins with two overnights and guided sightseeing in Paris, the “City of Light.” Travel south to fascinating Beaune for a Burgundy wine tasting, then board your ship in quaint Chalon-sur-Saône and set sail for lovely Tournus, Mâcon, France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon, as well as Tournon, charming Viviers, and beautiful Avignon. Before disembarking your ship in Arles, sail through the peaceful Camargue area. Then travel into the heart of the Provence region for two nights. Visit the medieval walled city of Aigues-Mortes, enjoy a guided tour of Nîmes, and spend time exploring elegant Aix-en-Provence before heading to the beautiful Côte d'Azur for the conclusion of your adventure.

• Buffet breakfast (B) in Paris and Côte d'Azur; superb dining with meals on board featuring full breakfast (B) with complimentary sparkling wine, lunch (L) with complimentary soft drinks, and dinner (D) including complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks; a welcome reception, Captain’s reception, and farewell dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements.
• Deluxe cruise in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds.
• Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
• Headsets for shore excursions.
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access.
• Personalized room options & excursions.

• CRUISE: Deluxe 7-night cruise from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
• PARIS: Guided sightseeing
• BEAUNE: Orientation walk, see the Hôtel-Dieu; Burgundy wine tasting
• CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE: Welcome reception
• TOURNUS:Guided sightseeing, visit the Abbey of St. Philibert
• LYON: Guided sightseeing; picture stop on Fourvière Hill
• TOURNON: Orientation walk
• VIVIERS: Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral
• AVIGNON: Guided sightseeing, visit Palace of the Popes
• ARLES: Guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheater
• PROVENCE REGION: Excursion to Camargue; visit Aigues-Mortes; Nîmes guided sightseeing; St. Rémy guided sightseeing; lunch stop in Aix-en-Provence

Paris: Pullman Paris Montparnasse (SF)
Cruising: outside stateroom aboard Avalon Scenery
Cote d’Azur: Fairmont Monte Carlo (D)
Provence: La Vallon de Valrugues (SF) at St. Rémy de Provence

To see our key for hotel ratings, click here.

• Cabin upgrades available.
• Port charges of $126 are not included.
• Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
• In the event of water level problems on stretches of any river, it may be necessary to operate part of the itinerary by motorcoach.
• Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change is necessary, a substitute will be offered.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.