Burgundy & Provence (wine)
8 Days
Tour Description
Take a delightful river cruise through France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in well-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. A Certified Sommelier will accompany you on your French river cruise with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.
Board your Avalon Suite Ship on the Saône in Chalon-sur-Saône, and cruise to Tournus for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, which sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. See the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour of 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. Enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. Continue your river cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world – and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.
About Certified Sommeliers
Seldom do travellers get the chance to learn about wines from certified experts in the field! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a certified sommelier who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. We are honoured to offer our guests the expertise of certified sommeliers who join select cruises to share their insights and inspiration in all things wine. Truly exclusive experiences for wine lovers!
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2025, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2025.
Board your Avalon Suite Ship on the Saône in Chalon-sur-Saône, and cruise to Tournus for an excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar. Visit Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, founded by the Romans in 43 BC, which sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. See the popular Place des Terreaux with its lively cafés and monuments and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour of 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. Enjoy a guided walk with a wine-and-chocolate tasting or a walk in the vineyards. Continue your river cruise to historical Avignon and see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world – and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. On the Rhône River sits Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre, which hosts plays and concerts to this day.
About Certified Sommeliers
Seldom do travellers get the chance to learn about wines from certified experts in the field! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a certified sommelier who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. We are honoured to offer our guests the expertise of certified sommeliers who join select cruises to share their insights and inspiration in all things wine. Truly exclusive experiences for wine lovers!
Please note: Itinerary is based on 2025, and is subject to change. Full details will be confirmed in 2025.
Priced From:
$ 6898pp *
Start Location: Chalon, France
End Location: Arles, France
Major Destinations: Wine Tasting ,Avignon,,Lyon
Breakfast Meals Included:
7
Lunch Meals Included:
6
Dinner Meals Included:
7
Itinerary
Day
1
CHALON-SUR-SAONE, 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 (D)
Day
2
TOURNUS
Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Visit the Adventure Centre 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 centres in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.
DISCOVERY Join an excursion that will take you to a Chardonnay cellar for a wine tasting.
DISCOVERY Join a lecture about wine hosted by your Certified Sommelier while sailing to Macon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TREVOUX (B,L,D)
Day
3
LYON
La Vie En Rose in
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard cheese and wine tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier while sailing to Lyon.
ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourviere Hill with its numerous churches. You'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafes, 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 (B,L,D)
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.
DISCOVERY Take a guided tour to the lovely Beaujolais area and learn more about its light and pleasant wine.
DISCOVERY This evening, join an onboard food and wine pairing dinner hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON (B,L,D)
Day
5
TOURNON
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
ACTIVE Hike in the vineyards and take in the breathtaking views from the hills (weather permitting), OR:
CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon-one of France's oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle. The tour also includes a wine and chocolate tasting at the Cite du Chocolat at Valrhona.
After lunch, enjoy an onboard wine and cheese tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier while sailing 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 (B,L,D)
Day
6
AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
Join your Adventure 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.
DISCOVERY Enjoy a trip to the famed wine cellars of Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhone wine region.
Later, enjoy live onboard entertainment.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES (B,L,D)
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.
DISCOVERY Join an onboard wine and chocolate tasting hosted by your Certified Sommelier.
Take free time to stop in Le Cafe van Gogh for a glass of wine.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (B,L,D)
Day
8
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am. (B)
Dates & prices
Dates
Prices
Status
Departure Date :
2026-11-17
Return Date :
2026-11-24
Single :
10351 NZD
Twin :
6898 NZD
Open
Departure Date :
2026-11-03
Return Date :
2026-11-10
Single :
10601 NZD
Twin :
7059 NZD
Open
Departure Date :
2026-10-20
Return Date :
2026-10-27
Single :
11350 NZD
Twin :
7542 NZD
Open