Treat yourself to a vacation in France before your Active & Discovery cruise on the Rhône River with two nights in the “City of Light”—Paris. Spend your first day in the romantic city with an unhurried stroll along the Champs-Élysées, or linger over wine and crepes in a Montparnasse literary café—once frequented by Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Picasso. The following day, select included excursions such as a guided sightseeing tour of the must-see sites, or a guided biking tour through Paris’ highlights, including the Eiffel Tower and Place de la Concorde—with a peaceful rest along the Seine River.

From Paris, board the high-speed train to embark your Avalon Suite Ship® in Lyon, the culinary capital of France! With Avalon Choice® included excursions, you’ll find a variety of ways to explore each port you visit. Choose from Active, Classic, and Discovery included excursions that interest you—from casual and leisurely to cultural and active. Admire the lovely views of the French countryside, join a culinary walk to discover architecture and local specialties, or take a cooking class in Lyon. Embark on a kayak excursion or simply linger in a sidewalk café; stroll Avignon’s papal palace or attend a wine tasting in an underground cave.

With so many Avalon Choice inclusions, you’ll find the perfect way to spend your day—from a ghost tour in Viviers to a guided bike ride through the Gard region, to a chocolate factory tour. In addition to classic sightseeing and relaxed free time, you can visit an oyster farm, bike through Camargue Regional Nature Park to spot flamingos, or take a painting workshop in Arles—in the style of Van Gogh. Our Active & Discovery Rhône River cruise with Avalon Choice® includes activities and excursions to experience the Rhône River at your pace in every place we go. From culture to cuisine and everything in between, it’s a vacation in France made just for you.


Included Features:

Day 1 Paris: Welcome to France!

Day 2 Paris: Choice of city sightseeing, or bike tour in Paris

Day 3 Paris-Lyon (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception; evening guided tour of Lyon

Day 4 Lyon: Choice of culinary tour, or guided urban hike, or cooking class

Day 5 Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon-Viviers: Choice of rail-bike tour along the Gorges du Doux, or guided hike in the vineyards, or guided tour of Tournon, or tour of the Valrhona factory and museum; Lyonnaise specialties cooking demonstration; evening guided tour in Viviers

Day 6 Viviers-Avignon: In Avignon choice of guided kayak trip down the Gorges de l'Ardèche, or guided hike in the Natural Reserve of Cirque d'Estre, or visit lock Bollène and its power plant, or guided speleological excursion with wine tasting in the caves

Day 7 Avignon: Choice of guided tour, or guided e-bike tour

Day 8 Arles: Choice of guided tour in Arles, meet a bullfighter, or guided hike through the Hell Valley with a visit to Carrières de Lumière, or painting workshop

Day 9 Port-Saint-Louis: Choice of excursion to a local oyster farm with tasting, or either visit a bull ranch, or bike tour through the Camargue Regional Natural Park

Day 10 Port-Saint-Louis (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning

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