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Wander through Paris' historic Montmartre district

Grand France

Southbound - Example 15 Day Cruise aboard Avalon Poetry II
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Join Avalon Poetry II and begin cruising in Paris, sailing along the Seine River to the picturesque Normandy region. Go on an excursion to the historical Normandy landing beaches, then visit the gothic Rouen Cathedral. While sailing along Saône and Rhône Rivers, explore France’s third-largest city and showcase medieval and Renaissance architecture. The town of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards and wander on this medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Before concluding in Port St. Louis, do not forget to see the paintings of Van Gogh and Arles' 1st-century Roman Amphitheater.
Explore the legendary city of ParisHalf-Timbered Houses at Rouen, Normandy, FranceArles overviewEiffel Tower in Paris, FranceThe Palais des Papes dominates the Avignon skylineWander through Paris' historic Montmartre district
Highlights
  • Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a walking tour
  • Wander around the city of Vernon and take a tour to see stunning sights
  • See its 16th-century castle and Roman ruins in Tournon
  • Explore the Palace of the Popes and much more during a Avignon walking tour
  • See the Roman Amphitheater in the stunning city of Arles
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Relaxed
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Paris | Embark

Welcome to France. Your suite ship is ready for boarding. Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm. Guests must be on board the ship by 5 pm.

Your day is free to explore the world's most romantic city before starting your cruise on the Seine. Get acquainted with the City of Lights today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.

Day 2: Vernon

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Start the day with a morning stretch with your Avalon adventure host

Classic: Take a guided tour of Giverny, home, and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:

Classic: Join a guided visit to Bizy Castle called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.

Discovery: While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a pastry demonstration.

This afternoon, enjoy cruising to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.

LES ANDELYS
Classic: Take a guided walking tour of Les Andelys, one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine, OR:

Active: Join a guided hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard, the historic home of King Richard the Lionheart.

Day 3: Caudebec

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Active: Join your Avalon adventure host for a morning jog in Normandy’s town of Caudebec.

Classic: Take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.

Active: Enjoy the natural wonders of the fascinating Marais Vernier wetlands on this half-day guided nature walk on the outskirts of Caudebec.

This afternoon, you may choose a guided optional excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

Day 4: Caudebec | Normandy

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided tour of the WWII landing beaches of Normandy, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:

Classic: Take a full-day guided tour of the British and Canadian memorial sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:

Classic: Join “A Taste of Normandy” guided tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge, and taste Calvados apple brandy at a local distillery.

Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard your ship.

Day 5: Rouen

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Take a guided walking tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock and Notre-Dame Cathedral, OR:

Active: Take a guided bike tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser-known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels.

Day 6: Conflans

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:

Classic: Take a guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife, Josephine.

Perhaps, join a guided sightseeing tour of the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings. Later enjoy live entertainment onboard.

Day 7: Paris

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Active: Take a morning walk with your Avalon adventure host to see Paris at first sight.

Classic: Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a beautiful 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 you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.

Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

Day 8: Paris | Disembark | Dijon | Beaune | St. Jean De Losne

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.

This afternoon, travel to St. Jean de Losne to board your suite ship.

Day 9: Mâcon

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River. Consider a guided optional excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or the Castle of Cormatin.

Discovery: Later, enjoy a delicious cheese tasting onboard your ship.

Enjoy live entertainment while sailing for Trévoux this evening.

Day 10: Lyon

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Sail for lovely Lyon this morning for French fare.

Classic: Join a guided sightseeing tour to survey Lyon with its numerous churches from Fourvière Hill. 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 biking through Lyon’s town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet.

Discovery: Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance lecture onboard your ship.

Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

Day 11: Lyon

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Join a culinary walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France.

The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third-largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals.

Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.

Day 12: Tournon

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Take a morning guided walking 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.

Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.

VIVIERS
Classic: Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon guided walking tour of this charming village. See its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.

Day 13: Avignon

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Classic: Take a guided sightseeing tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the impressive 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 an authentic 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, historical monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.

Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.

Day 14: Arles

  • Ship
  • 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Active: Join your Avalon adventure host for a morning walk.

Classic: Enjoy a guided walking tour of Arles, the captivating city of the Provence region. Visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city, OR:

Discovery: Attend a painting workshop to learn the style and techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your painting in the style of the classic master who took inspiration from the Provence light and landscape in Arles.

Consider a guided optional excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) to immerse yourself in a truly unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d’Enfer.

Take advantage of any free time remaining with a stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine, to relax and watch the world go by before sailing to Avignon.

Day 15: Port St. Louis | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.

Ship/Hotel

Avalon Poetry II

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
Select a Date
Cat. E
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. D
Avalon Deluxe Stateroom: 172 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Complimentary bottled water, Individual climate control, Mirror in the bathroom, Full shower with glass door, Vanity, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. B
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. A
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, In-room safe, contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Luxurious mattress, European-style duvets.
Select a Date
Cat. P
Panorama Suite: 200 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, Well-stocked minibar, In-room safe, Contemporary design, Marble countertops in the bathroom, 6-person sitting area, Writing desk, Sofa, Memory foam mattress, European-style duvets
Select a Date
Royal Suite
Royal Suite: 300 SQ. FT. Comfort Collection Beds, Bedside tables with reading lamps, L'Occitane bath products, Under-bed luggage storage, Telephone, Well-stocked minibar, Marble countertops in the bathroom, Wall-to-Wall Panoramic Window with Open-Air Balcony, Full shower with glass door, Luxurious mattress toppers, European-style duvets.
Included
  • 14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners
  • 14 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Onboard Adventure Center with active gear, bikes, maps, canoe, kayak and jogging excursions
  • Wifi
  • Complimentary fresh fruit available daily
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
  • Club Lounge with 24-hour self-serve beverage station with complimentary cappuccinos, lattes, tea, hot chocolate & premium coffees, as well as treats throughout the day
  • Panoramic windows
  • Friendly, English-speaking crew & Cruise Director
  • Sky Deck with whirlpool, shade awnings, game area and premium lounges
  • Complimentary sparkling wine with breakfast; wine, beer, or soft drinks with every lunch and dinner
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or on board your vessel
  • Port Fees
  • Porterage
  • Passport or Visa fees

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
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