Copy Itinerary Link

Back to Trip Details

October in France: Wine Country with Those Who Matter

Oct 10 - 22, 2026

Your Advisor

Britta Roper

Between Trips Travel

Florida SOT: ST45570

britta@betweentrips.com

+1 978.678.4994

Reserve Your Place

Let's Discuss Your Journey

Full Itinerary Daily Overview Pricing

Overview

Cruise the Rhône and Saône Rivers through France's legendary wine country with a Certified Sommelier as your guide. From Van Gogh's Arles and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater to Avignon's Palace of the Popes—the world's largest Gothic fortress—you'll discover both iconic landmarks and hidden treasures. Explore medieval Tournon nestled among vineyards, experience Lyon's gastronomic capital where the rivers meet, and visit the celebrated wine regions of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Beaujolais, and Chardonnay. Throughout your cruise, your Certified Sommelier leads presentations, tastings, and expertly paired wine dinners—offering insights and access that wine lovers rarely experience.

Day 1 · Sat, Oct 10 · Nice, France

Departure from US TBD

Day 2 · Sun, Oct 11 · Nice, France

Optional Add-On

Optional Pre-Cruise Extension: Additional Nights in French Riviera (based on double occupancy)

Arrive early and settle into the rhythm of the Côte d'Azur. Extend your stay at Le Méridien Nice with additional nights to explore the markets of Vieux Nice, stroll the famous Promenade des Anglais, or simply relax by the Mediterranean. Hotel: Le ...

Welcome to France

Enjoy free time to discover the beauty of the spectacular French Riviera, which stretches along France’s Mediterranean coast from Toulon to the border of Italy.

Stay at Le Meridien Nice

Oct 11, 2026

Location The hotel is located at number 1 Promenade des Anglais, a mythic address in the heart of the French Riviera. The city's convention centre, Acropolis, is less than 15 minutes' walk from the hotel, along with the main train station. As for ...

Day 3 · Mon, Oct 12

Nice - The “Queen of the French Riviera”

Classic Excursion 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.

Day 4 · Tue, Oct 13 · Arles, France

Transfer to Embarcation

Join a motorcoach transfer to board your Avalon Suite Ship. Classic Excursion En route to Arles, stop in Aix-en-Provence and enjoy a Guided Sightseeing Tour to discover the elegant beauty of Cezanne’s hometown.

About Your Cruise Line - Avalon Waterways

Embark on an Avalon river cruise with your choice of over 70 cruises on 10 rivers through 22 countries. Explore Europe, Asia, South America, and Egypt in the relaxed luxury only Avalon Waterways can deliver. Discover the European continent on its legendary rivers from the North Sea to the Black Sea or from the French countryside to the waterways of Holland. Enjoy first-class service and award-winning excursions through the vineyards of

About Your Ship - Avalon Poetry II

The Avalon Poetry II offers a delightfully intimate cruise setting. Like its sister Suite Ships, the Poetry II features two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that create river cruising's only Open-Air Balcony.

Arles

Oct 13

ARLES (EMBARKATION) Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding Flights into Marseille must arrive by 3 pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES Arles, France, is a historic city in Provence renowned for i...

Suites Options

Oct 13 - 20, 2026 · Check in: 5:00PM CEST

4 room options · Starting at $0

The Avalon Poetry II offers a delightfully intimate cruise setting. Like its sister Suite Ships, the Poetry II features two full decks of Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that create river cruising's only Open-...

Day 5 · Wed, Oct 14 · Arles, France

Arles

Oct 14

ARLES A Brush with Genius Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. 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 ...

Day 6 · Thu, Oct 15 · Avignon, France

Avignon

Oct 15

AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence 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...

Day 7 · Fri, Oct 16 · Viviers, France

Viviers

Oct 16

VIVIERS World History in a Charming French Country Village Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers. ACTIVE Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host, OR: CLASSIC Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on an aft...

Day 8 · Sat, Oct 17 · Tain-l'Hermitage, France

Tain-l'Hermitage

Oct 17

TAIN L'HERMITAGE A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE Explore Tournon by foot as you follow your Adventure Host for a morning hike in this beautiful town along the Rhone, OR: ...

Day 9 · Sun, Oct 18 · Lyon, France

Lyon

Oct 18

LYON Adventures in Food and Wine in the Gastronomy Capital of France CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourvière Hill with its numerous churches. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and th...

Day 10 · Mon, Oct 19 · Chalon-sur-Saône, France

Chalon-sur-Saône

Oct 19

TOURNUS–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saône DISCOVERY Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards, the wines produced here, and to attend a wine-tasting in the ...

Day 11 · Tue, Oct 20 · Chalon-sur-Saône, France

Chalon-sur-Saône

Oct 20

CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. Flights should not leave Lyon airport before 8 am.

Optional Add-On

Post-Cruise Extension: 2 Nights in Paris (based on double occupancy)

Continue your journey with two nights in one of the world's most romantic cities. After disembarking in Lyon, transfer to Paris and stay at the elegant Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe—a deluxe property steps from the Arc de Triomphe. Hotel...

Chalon-sur-Saône (Disembarkation)-Beaune-Dijon-Paris

On to Paris! Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris. Classic Excursion Join a Guided Visit to Cité des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne to discover Burgundy’s rich wine culture through an immersive, interactive experience, and...

Optional Add-On

Stay at Hotel du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe Paris

Oct 20 - 22, 2026 · Check in: 3:00PM CEST

Grand chandeliers; plenty of seating for conversations in the lobby; high tech conference rooms awash with natural light.

Day 12 · Wed, Oct 21

Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light

Classic Excursion 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 Excursion Join a Guided Cit...

Day 13 · Thu, Oct 22

Optional Add-On

Checkout

Check out: 10:00AM CEST

Return Flight to US TBD