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Active & Discovery on the Rhône with 2 Nights in Paris (Southbound) 2025
10 Day River Cruise Paris to Arles
Tour Description:
Provence presents the ultimate field of dreams with row upon row of bursting purple haze. With its abundant menu of immersive experiences from Lyon to Arles, an Avalon Active & Discovery cruise along the Rhone presents the ultimate vacation of dreams. Bird watching from the seat of a bicycle. Gorge gorging from the perspective of a kayak. Wine tasting from the cool depths of a cave. These are just a few of the ways our wide array of Classic, Discovery and Active excursions lets you choose how to interact with the scenery, the artistic, and the culinary scenes of France. Whether you admire ancient masterpieces or join a painting workshop – devour haute cuisine or gobble up a French cooking class – the world is your oyster on an Active & Discovery cruise along the Rhone. Move. Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:
- Join an urban hike through Lyon’s secret passageways for a glimpse into the city’s 19th-century silk trade.
- Take in the panoramic views from the seat of a rail bike along the descent of the Gorges du Doux.
- Cool off with a special underground wine tasting accompanied by a cave guide and winemaking expert.
- Join a cooking class in the gastronomic capital of Lyon and make your own Lyonnaise specialty.
- Discover how essential oils are created at an authentic Provencal farmhouse.
- Mimic the brushstrokes of Van Gogh in a painting workshop in Arles where the artist created some of his most famous works.
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Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing| 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 |
| 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 guided speleological excursion with wine tasting in the caves; evening guided tour of Viviers |
| Day 7 Avignon: | Choice of guided tour, or guided mountain e-bike tour, or Provencal farmhouse experience |
| Day 8 Arles: | Choice of guided tour in Arles, meeting a bullfighter, guided hike through the Hell Valley, or painting workshop |
| Day 9 Port-Saint-Louis: | Choice of excursion to a local oyster farm with tasting, visit a bull ranch, or bike tour through the Camargue Regional Natural Park |
| Day 10 Arles (Disembarkation): | Your vacation ends this morning |
Notes:
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDay 1
PARIS, FRANCE Welcome to Paris! The day is yours to explore the City of Lights at your leisure. Consider browsing along Paris’ classic shopping avenues and literary cafés for a true Parisian experience
Day 2
PARIS The City of Light
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing which will show you magnificent must-see sights, OR:
ACTIVE Enjoy a Guided Biking Tour which will reveal some of the highlights of Paris–such as the Eiffel Tower and Palace de la Concorde–from a different point of view; enjoy a peaceful break on the Seine river banks
Breakfast
BreakfastDay 3
PARIS–LYON (EMBARKATION) Board the TGV train to Lyon where your Suite Ship® is ready for boarding.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON
Day 4
LYON A Festival of Colors, Aromas, and Taste
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Take a Guided Urban Hike through Lyon’s secret passageways (Traboules) for a glimpse into the city’s 19th-century silk trade, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Culinary Walk through Lyon to discover architecture and local specialties in a festival of colors, aromas and taste—exclusive for Avalon guests, OR:
DISCOVERY Join our Cooking Class to learn to make your own Lyonnaise specialty.
This afternoon, you might take an off-the-beaten-path Guided Optional Tour (Avalon exclusive) through private and public terraces for panoramic views of Lyon, starting on the roof of the Basilica de Fourvière.
EVENING CRUISE TO TAIN L’HERMITAGE/TOURNON
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch
DinnerDay 5
TAIN L’HERMITAGE/TOURNON Chocolatiers and Railway Engineers in the Twin City Gorge
ACTIVE For a unique experience and panoramic views, join a Guided Excursion this morning on a rail-bike along the descent of the Gorges du Doux, OR: *
ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike in the picturesque vineyards surrounding the twin cities of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage, OR:
DISCOVERY Have a true “chocolate experience” with a tour of the Valrhona Chocolate Factory and Museum, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Tournon—twin city to Tain-l’Hermitage and one of France’s oldest medieval cities. You’ll see its imposing 16th-century castle.
DISCOVERY Join a Cooking Demonstration and learn how to prepare a Lyonnaise treat while sailing to Viviers.
VIVIERS
Fascinating History, and Nighttime Ghost Stories
DISCOVERY For a different perspective on the town, join us on a nighttime Guided Tour of Viviers, discovering the legends, tales and ghost stories of this enchanting town.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN VIVIERS
*This excursion will not be available on departure May 4th and will be replaced by a Guided Tour aboard the Train des L’Ardeche steam-engine train
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 6
VIVIERS–LOCK BOLLÈNE River Gorge Kayaks, Underground Wines, and Ghost Stories
ACTIVE Immerse yourself in the scenery with a Guided Kayak Trip in the Gorges de l’Ardèche on the spectacular canyons of this Rhône tributary, OR:
ACTIVE Find inspiration from the amazing landscape of the region with a Guided Hike through the Natural Reserve of Cirque d’Estre, OR:
ACTIVE Join a Guided Visit for a surprising underground Wine Tasting—under the direction of an expert Speleologist (cave guide) and an oenologist (wine-making expert).
Cruise through the soaring walls of the Lock Bollène on your way to Avignon this afternoon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 7
AVIGNON Bike Pedals, Papal Palaces, and Perfumes in Provence
ACTIVE Join a leisurely Guided Mountain E-Bike Ride through Gard region; after all, no need to pedal on the way back, OR:
DISCOVERY Visit an authentic Provencal farmhouse for a delightful experience to fill your senses as you see how essential oils are created, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Avignon, including a visit to the world’s largest gothic fortress—the 14th-century Palace Of the Popes. Also, explore Les Halles’ covered market.
This afternoon, you may choose to join a Guided Optional Tour of the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a wine tasting, or you may opt for a Guided Optional Excursion on a kayak through the waters of Pont du Gard—the highest of all elevated Roman aqueducts.
You may choose to spend free time to explore Avignon—known as the heart of Provence. Take a leisurely stroll or a bike ride through the tree-lined streets and leafy squares within Avignon’s medieval walls.
EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 8
ARLES A Master Painter and a Matador in Provence
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Experience the legends of Val d’Enfer, with a Guided Hike; an area taking its name from the unique white limestone rock formations, 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 Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Arles to get to know this charming town, including a visit with a local bullfighter to learn about the secrets and traditions handed down through generations.
This afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, stroll, or just relax in a lovely park along Arles’ Boulevard des Lices. Alternatively, feel free to choose one of the optional excursions on offer.
Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 9
PORT-SAINT-LOUIS Oysters and Flamingos in the Rhône Delta
Enjoy a morning cruise to Port-Saint-Louis on the Sky Deck of your ship.
ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Ride through the Camargue Natural Park with an eye out for more than 400 bird species—including pink flamingos—along the trails of the Mediterranean’s Rhône delta, OR:
DISCOVERY Enjoy a taste of local life with a visit to an oyster farm in the Camargue Natural Park on a Guided Tour to enjoy an oyster tasting and learn how this delicacy is farmed, OR:
DISCOVERY Visit one of France’s most popular and pristine nature reserves on this memorable visit to a traditional black bull ranch in Camargue Regional Nature Park!
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES
BreakfastLunch Dinner
BreakfastLunch DinnerDay 10
ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am
Accommodations
Accommodations| Paris | Paris | Marseille |
Paris Marriott Opéra Ambassador
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
16 Bld.Haussmann Paris France
With an exceptional location in the heart of Paris' illustrious Opera District, this stylish 297-room hotel has impressive Haussmann-style architecture and effortlessly combines Art Deco-styling dating back from its original opening in 1927 with state-of-the-art amenities. Free Wi-Fi access is available in all guestrooms and public areas of the hotel and there is also a fitness room. All-day dining including elegant French cuisine is available in the smart contemporary restaurant and the tranquil lobby bar offers an extensive selection of drinks and light meals.
Superior First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
16 Bld.Haussmann Paris France
With an exceptional location in the heart of Paris' illustrious Opera District, this stylish 297-room hotel has impressive Haussmann-style architecture and effortlessly combines Art Deco-styling dating back from its original opening in 1927 with state-of-the-art amenities. Free Wi-Fi access is available in all guestrooms and public areas of the hotel and there is also a fitness room. All-day dining including elegant French cuisine is available in the smart contemporary restaurant and the tranquil lobby bar offers an extensive selection of drinks and light meals.
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
