A world beyond.
Hassle-free planning, regional Tour Directors & Local Guides, Handpicked hotels and inclusions, seamless transportation, VIP access, and rare Local Favourites that go beyond the guidebook. 

Adventure is knocking.
Turn “never thought I would” into “glad I did” with a budget-friendly tour that includes all the essentials plus a great mix of included excursions and free time. 

Cruising Elevated.
Cruise on Suite Ships with the widest stateroom views from your window-facing bed. Relaxed luxury flows throughout the ship in every detail plus personalise with Classic, Active, and Discovery excursions.

Back

Burgundy & Provence With French Riviera (Wine)

With french riviera (wine) extension
ChalonFrench Riviera
Overview
  • Overview
  • Highlights
  • Itinerary
  • Personalise Your Trip
  • Tour Director
Download Itinerary
DOWNLOAD ITINERARY
View Map
Map
Was 4,820 pp*
FROM
USD
3,485.89 pp*
BookDates & Prices
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 Master of Wine 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 seen on postcards. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour to Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, is 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 French 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. Enjoy your two last nights in France on the French Riviera. Relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea—a perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime European river cruise!

About Masters of Wine

Seldom do travellers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honoured to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognised globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!

Map

Leisurely On the go

Country
Meals
9breakfasts;
6lunches;
7dinners;
Transport
State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities
Accommodation
Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds
Tour Code
WJLEW
Tour Style
Price
*Price per person, based on Twin occupancy for 18 November 2025 departure
CAT D
Highlights
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)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 0, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 1

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
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 Master of Wine while sailing to Macon. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TREVOUX (B,L,D)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
Day 3

LYON

La Vie En Rose in Lyon Sail for lovely Lyon this morning. DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard cheese and wine tasting hosted by your Master of Wine 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)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
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 Master of Wine. EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON (B,L,D)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
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. Enjoy a leisurely sail 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)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
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)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
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 Amphitheatre in this visually stunning city. Take free time to stop in Le Cafe van Gogh for a glass of wine. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (B,L,D)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 1, Dinner: 1

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
Day 8

ARLES (DISEMBARKATION)-FRENCH RIVIERA

Spectacular Seascapes of the Mediterranean Coast After breakfast this morning, you'll drive to the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France's Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy. (B)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
Day 9

FRENCH RIVIERA

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. (B)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

SHIP(S) *

No Vessel information available

SHOW
Day 10

FRENCH RIVIERA

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

INCLUDED MEALS

Breakfast: 1, Lunch: 0, Dinner: 0

SHOW
*

TRIP ACCOMMODATION & OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

The displayed price is a guide only. You will be able to book most excursions within MyAccount up to 4 days prior to excursion date, where the exact price will be displayed. For Australia and New Zealand tours, optional excursions can be booked on tour with the Tour Director. All excursions are subject to availability.

Personalise your trip

Available extensions (6)

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 Master of Wine 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 seen on postcards. Take a culinary walk and enjoy a tour to Beaujolais, the famous wine of the region. Beautifully nestled among vineyards, is 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 French 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. Enjoy your two last nights in France on the French Riviera. Relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea—a perfect ending to this once-in-a-lifetime European river cruise!

About Masters of Wine

Seldom do travellers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honoured to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognised globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!

Map

Leisurely On the go

Country
Meals
9breakfasts;
6lunches;
7dinners;
Transport
State-of-the-art, luxurious river cruise vessels with modern services and amenities
Accommodation
Deluxe outside accommodations with Avalon’s exclusive Comfort Collection Beds
Tour Code
WJLEW
Tour Style
Price
*Price per person, based on Twin occupancy for 18 November 2025 departure
CAT D

Next Section

Highlights