Grand France with 2 Nights in AixenProvence and 2 Nights in Nice (Southbound) (WPL12023)

Day 1:
PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.

Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm.

Guests must be on board 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 Light today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON

(D)

Day 2:
VERNON Monet 's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour

Visit the Adventure Center for today 's activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

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 a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.

LES ANDELYS

Serenity on the Seine

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:

CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France 's most picturesque spots on the Seine.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)

Day 3:
CAUDEBEC Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:

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.

This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC

(B,L,D)

Day 4:
CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions

CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Normandy 's WWII landing beaches, 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 commemorative 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 at a local distillery.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN

(B,L,D)

Day 5:
ROUEN The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France

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, OR:

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.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS

(B,L,D)

Day 6:
CONFLANS The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:

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 Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS

(B,L,D)

Day 7:
PARIS Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the city of Light

Join your Adventure Host for today 's special activities.

ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:

CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating 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.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS

(B,L,D)

Day 8:
PARIS (DISEMBARKATION) DIJON-BEAUNE-ST. JEAN DE LOSNE (EMBARKATION) Take a High-Speed Train from Paris to Dijon, to drive on to Beaune.

CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden 's painting of the Last Judgement.

This afternoon, travel to St. Jean de Losne to board your Suite Ship®.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MÂCON

(B,D)

Day 9:
MÂCON Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône

Visit the Adventure Center for today 's activities with your Adventure Host.

Enjoy leisurely cruising en route to Mâcon along the majestic Saône River. Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin.

DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TRÉVOUX

(B,L,D)

Day 10:
LYON La Vie En Rose in Lyon

Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.

ACTIVE Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host,over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR:

CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon with its numerous churches from Fourvière Hill. You 'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.

DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance lecture on board your ship.

Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

(B,L,D)

Day 11:
LYON Adventures in Food and Wine

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.

EVENING CRUISE TO TOURNON

(B,L,D)

Day 12:
TOURNON A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour 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

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 onboard.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO AVIGNON

(B,L,D)

Day 13:
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.

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 a true 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, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.

Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

(B,L,D)

Day 14:
ARLES Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights

ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through nordic walking 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.

Consider also a Guided Optional Excursion to the Carrières de Lumières (Cathedral of Images) a unique experience of art, sound, and light in the old quarries of Val d 'Enfer.

Take free time to stop in Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine.

EVENING CRUISE TO PORT ST. LOUIS

(B,L,D)

Day 15:
PORT ST. LOUIS (DISEMBARKATION)-AIX-EN-PROVENCE Leave your Avalon vacation upon disembarkation in Port-Saint-Louis, and take the included transfer to Aix-en-Provence to join your Monograms package. Your guided walking tour includes a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Saviour, known for its interesting combination of architectural styles and The Burning Bush triptych art masterpiece by Nicolas Froment.

(B)

Day 16:
AIX-EN-PROVENCE Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cézanne 's hometown. Your Local Host will help you get the most out of your stay.

(B)

Day 17:
AIX-EN-PROVENCE-NICE Travel to Nice. Your guided sightseeing features the Promende des Anglais, originally built in the second half of the 18th century and the most famous boulevard in Nice, and a walk through the charming Old Town.

(B)

Day 18:
NICE Your Local Host has recommendations for your full day at leisure on the beautiful Côte d 'Azur.

(B)

Day 19:
NICE Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

(B)