Grand France With 2 Nights In Nice & 3 Nights In Barcelona (Southbound)

Your European river cruise through France embarks in Paris to sail on the Seine River to the picturesque Normandy region. Your Avalon Suite Ship® docks in Vernon, with your choice of a guided visit to Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle. Continue to Les Andelys-home of Chteau Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196. Then, on to Caudebec, where you can choose between an included excursion to the legendary Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating excursion for a “Taste of Normandy” tour. Visit Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen and, in Conflans, select a guided excursion to Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Chteau de Malmaison. Return to Paris and discover its true heart on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour showing you the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more. Disembark your ship, and travel south to fascinating Beaune for a visit of the Hôtel-Dieu.

In St. Jean de Losne, board your second Suite Ship® and sail to Macon, the twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage, Viviers, Avignon, and Arles, as well as France’s gastronomic capital of Lyon. Your French river cruise concludes disembarks in Port-Saint-Louis.

Transfer to Nice on the Côte d’Azur to begin your Monograms® vacation with two more nights in France. In Nice, walk through the Old Town and the Promenade des Anglais, the city’s most famous boulevard. In your free time, perhaps take an excursion to Monaco, St. Tropez, or Cannes-known for its famous film festival. Next, fly to Barcelona to enjoy guided sightseeing, including Passeig de Grcia, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, and an inside visit of Sagrada Familia Basilica. Enjoy ample free time to explore with suggestions and assistance from your Local Host®–at your service in both Nice and Barcelona.

Included Features:

Day 1 Paris (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception

Day 2 Vernon-Les Andelys: Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle or walk with your Adventure Host; choice of guided walk or guided hike in Les Andelys; onboard crêpes tasting and Pastry Demonstration

Day 3 Caudebec: Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route” or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 4 Caudebec: Choice of full-day excursions to Normandy landing beaches or ‘A Taste of Normandy’ excursion

Day 5 Rouen: Choice of guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the cathedral or bike tour

Day 6 Conflans: Choice of excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise or excursion to Napoleon and Josephine’s Chteau de Malmaison or bike with your Adventure Host

Day 7 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or historic sights of the ‘Heart of Paris’ walking tour or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 8 Paris (Disembarkation)-Dijon-Beaune-St. Jean de Losne (Embarkation): High-speed train from Paris to Dijon; motorcoach transfer to Beaune and visit to the Hôtel-Dieu; onboard welcome reception

Day 9 Mcon: Leisurely cruising; onboard cheese tasting

Day 10 Lyon: Choice of guided sightseeing; with picture stop on Fourvière Hill or bike with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture

Day 11 Lyon: Culinary tour

Day 12 Tournon-Viviers: Guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Viviers, visit the Old Town and the cathedral

Day 13 Avignon: Guided sightseeing, visit to the Palace of the Popes

Day 14 Arles: Choice of guided sightseeing in Arles, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop or walk with your Adventure Host

Day 15 Port-Saint-Louis (Disembarkation)-Nice: Transfer from your ship to Nice; guided walking tour with Promenade des Anglais and the Old Town

Day 16 Nice: Day at leisure

Day 17 Nice-Barcelona: Transfer to Nice airport for your flight to Barcelona

Day 18 Barcelona: Guided sightseeing, visit Sagrada Familia Basilica

Day 19 Barcelona: Day at leisure

Day 20 Barcelona: Your vacation ends this morning