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A Taste of France: Burgundy & Provence Riverboat Cruise

Aug 27 - Sep 3, 2024

Lyon • Tain L'Hermitage / Tournon • Viviers – Lock Bollene • Avignon • Arles • Port-Saint-Louis • Arles

A Taste of France: Burgundy & Provence Riverboat Cruise

Aug 27 - Sep 3, 2024

Lyon • Tain L'Hermitage / Tournon • Viviers – Lock Bollene • Avignon • Arles • Port-Saint-Louis • Arles

A Taste of France: Burgundy & Provence Riverboat Cruise

Aug 27 - Sep 3, 2024

Lyon • Tain L'Hermitage / Tournon • Viviers – Lock Bollene • Avignon • Arles • Port-Saint-Louis • Arles

A Taste of France Burgundy & Provence Riverboat Cruise

Aug 27 - Sep 3, 2024

Lyon • Tain L'Hermitage / Tournon • Viviers – Lock Bollene • Avignon • Arles • Port-Saint-Louis • Arles

A Taste of France: Burgundy & Provence Riverboat Cruise

Aug 27 - Sep 3, 2024

Lyon • Tain L'Hermitage / Tournon • Viviers – Lock Bollene • Avignon • Arles • Port-Saint-Louis • Arles


Get all your information on Olivia's upcoming Burgundy & Provence Riverboat Cruise

With Olivia and Avalon, you can enjoy three types of included shore excursion experiences. Classic tours guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. Discovery tours are inspiring and interactive activities that allow you to immerse yourself in each culture you explore. Active tours allow you to embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on-the-go such as a guided biking tour and hiking. Optional tours are also available to purchase and will not conflict with the timings of most included tours. Information will be available approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the trip.

VIEW ITINERARY MAP


Day Description Arrival Departure
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Lyon, France ( All Aboard at 5 pm)

Onboard Welcome Reception
All flights should arrive by 3:30 pm, and all aboard by 5 pm. Meet the staff a crew of Olivia and Avalon. Enjoy Olivia Entertainment tonight as you settle into your new home for the week.

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 Lyon, France

A Festival of Colors, Aromas, and Taste

Active 
- Take a Guided Urban Hike through Lyon’s secret passageways (Traboules) for a glimpse into the city’s 19th-century silk trade.

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.
- 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

Thursday, August 29, 2024 Tain l'Hermitage/Tournon—Viviers, France

Chocolatiers and Railway Engineers in the Twin City Gorge and Ghost Stories

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.
- Join a Guided Hike in the picturesque vineyards surrounding the twin cities of Tournon and Tain-l’Hermitage.

Discovery
- Have a true “chocolate experience” with a tour of the Valrhona Chocolate Factory and Museum.
- Join a Cooking Demonstration and learn how to prepare a Lyonnaise treat while sailing to Viviers.

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.

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

Friday, August 30, 2024 Viviers—Avignon, France

River Gorge Kayaks and Underground Wines

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 (dependent on river level).
- Find inspiration from the amazing landscape of the region with a Guided Hike through the Natural Reserve of Cirque d’Estre.
- 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

Saturday, August 31, 2024 Avignon, France

Bike Pedals, Papal Palaces, and Perfumes in Provence
Choice of guided tour, or guided e-bike tour, or Provencal farmhouse experience

Active
- Join a leisurely Guided E-Bike Ride through Gard region; after all, no need to pedal on the way back.

Discovery
- Visit an authentic Provencal farmhouse for a delightful experience to fill your senses as you see how essential oils are created.

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 also 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

Sunday, September 1, 2024 Arles, France

A Master Painter, and shopping in Provence

Active
- Experience the legends of Val d’Enfer with a Guided Hike; an area taking its name from the unique white limestone rock formations. The excursion includes an unforgettable audio/video experience of light, images, and music at the Carrières de Lumières.

Discovery
- Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist.

Classic
- Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Arles to get to know this charming town.

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 offered.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

Monday, September 2, 2024 Port-Saint-Louis, France

Oysters and Flamingos in the RhĂ´ne 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.

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.
- 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! (Rustic and riding on hay-truck bed).

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 Arles, France

Disembarkation

Continue on with us for an Optional 1- or 2- night Post-Stretcher to Marseilles, or continue to the Marseilles airport for an included group transfer for flights after 10:30 am. For other arrangements, the reception staff can assist in securing a taxi for you.

*Itinerary is subject to change.