(802)540-0055
PARIS TO PROVENCE
RIVER CRUISE
FEATURING PARIS, BURGUNDY, LYON, AVIGNON & ARLES WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSION
APRIL 9 – APRIL 23, 2027
Sail through the heart of France in relaxed luxury on this unforgettable journey from Paris to Provence. Aboard the intimate Avalon Poetry II, enjoy spacious Panorama Suites with wall-to-wall windows that transform your room into an Open-Air Balcony®, letting the scenery become part of your experience.
Each day brings a new highlight—wine tasting in Burgundy, discovering Lyon's culinary treasures, exploring medieval villages, wandering Avignon's papal palace, and following in the footsteps of Van Gogh in Arles. With Avalon Choice® excursions, you can bike, hike, taste, paint, or enjoy classic guided sightseeing tailored to your style. Onboard, savor regionally inspired cuisine, friendly service, and peaceful lounges perfect for watching the Rhône drift by.
Thoughtfully paced and expertly hosted by Tim Kahn & Lee Hoehn from ETS, this cruise blends comfort, culture, and breathtaking landscapes into one seamless, storybook adventure through France.
Stay on and experience the Provence most travelers never see—curated with the signature magic that Tim Kahn and Lee Hoehn bring to every ETS journey. Their custom touch transforms Arles and the light-filled charming villages of the Vaucluse region, boasting art, wine, and a luscious landscape tapestry of vineyards and dramatic cliffs. If you've come to expect thoughtful surprises, insider access, and seamless hosting, this extension is where those expectations aren't just met—they're exceeded. Let Tim and Lee show you the Provence they love.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION - FLAVORS OF PROVENCE
APRIL 21 – APRIL 24, 2027
Enhance your journey with an unforgettable Provence extension crafted with the trademark magic of Tim Kahn and Lee Hoehn from ETS and Champlain Tours.
Provence conjures images of purple lavender fields, ancient hilltop villages, brilliantly colored fabrics, and the unforgettable scents of rosemary and thyme. It is a region of stunning sun-drenched landscapes, beautiful vineyards, and remarkable architecture spanning from Roman times to the modern designs of Le Corbusier.
There is so much to savor that you may not see it all—but as the locals like to say, your departure is never "Au Revoir," but "A Ben Leu"—"see you soon" in Provençal.
PHOTO GALLERY
INCLUDED:
-
Limited to 15 guests with full accompaniment by ETS experts Tim Kahn & Lee Hoehn
-
2 nights at a curated 4-star Paris boutique hotel (includes one pre-night stay)
-
7 nights aboard the Avalon Poetry II Suite Ship® on the Saône & Rhône
-
High-speed TGV rail from Paris to Dijon
-
Group airport transfers: Paris arrival & Marseille departure (with Champlain Tours–booked air)
-
Deluxe private motor coach for all land transfers and touring
-
Daily breakfast on land; all meals during the 7-night river cruise
-
Complimentary wine, beer, or soft drinks with lunch and dinner; nightly Happy Hour
-
Guided tours in Paris, Beaune, Tournus, Lyon, Tournon, Viviers, Avignon, and Arles
-
All entrance fees for listed attractions and tastings
-
Whisper headsets, shipboard enrichment, and live entertainment
-
Hotel taxes, service charges, and VAT included
-
Gratuities covered for land touring and included meals on the extension
-
24/7 on-tour support and pre-departure guidance from Champlain Tours
OPTIONAL PROVENCE EXTENSION INCLUDED:
-
3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 farewell dinner
-
Full-day exploration of Carrières de Lumières, Saint-Rémy, and Luberon Valley (specific villages to be confirmed)
-
Entrance to Carrières des Lumières immersive art show
-
Walking tour of Saint-Rémy (Roman ruins, Van Gogh landscapes)
-
Touring through the Luberon Valley: Roussillon, Gordes, and Bonnieux (specific villages to be confirmed)
-
Entrance & full visit at Château La Coste (art trail, exhibitions & wine tasting)
-
Afternoon discovery of Aix-en-Provence
-
Market visit in Provence
-
Evenings free to enjoy village dining and sunset strolls
NOT INCLUDED:
-
International airfare (available through Champlain Tours with included transfers)
-
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
-
Personal expenses, beverages beyond standard inclusions, and meals marked "on your own"
-
Optional tours noted as "extra" (e.g., Pont du Gard and Châteauneuf-du-Pape)
-
Gratuities for Tour Managers, Drivers, and Local Guides on the river cruise (at guest discretion per cruise guidelines)
ITINERARY
DAY 1 FRIDAY, APRIL 9 – DEPART THE U.S.
Into the French Night
Depart from your local international airport on your transatlantic flight to Paris, where an unforgettable journey through the heart of France awaits.
DAY 2 SATURDAY, APRIL 10 – ARRIVE IN PARIS (PRE-NIGHT)
Arrive in Paris and settle into your hotel near the Arc de Triomphe. This additional pre-night gives you time to recover from the overnight flight, become acquainted with the neighborhood, and enjoy your first evening in Paris at a relaxed pace.
DAY 3 SUNDAY, APRIL 11 – PARIS: THE CITY OF LIGHTS
Bienvenue en France!
Enjoy a full day at leisure to discover Paris on your own. Explore its celebrated architecture, neighborhood cafés, boutiques, restaurants, and extraordinary artistic treasures. This is an ideal day to simply wander and begin experiencing the atmosphere of the City of Light.
DAY 4 MONDAY, APRIL 12 – PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals & Canvases in the City of Light
Breakfast is included at your hotel.
Join Avalon for a guided sightseeing tour of Paris, highlighting many of the city’s iconic landmarks. The remainder of the day is yours to personalize—perhaps visit the Louvre, stroll the Champs-Élysées, explore Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur, browse Parisian shops, or relax at a classic sidewalk café.
You should expect Tim & Lee to enhance your experience in Paris to get the best out of this short but special visit.
Lunch and dinner on your own.
Included: Breakfast
DAY 5 TUESDAY, APRIL 13 – PARIS / DIJON / BEAUNE
Your Suite Ship Awaits!
Breakfast is included at the hotel.
Depart Paris aboard the TGV high-speed train for Lyon. Upon arrival, board the Avalon Poetry II, your home for the river cruise. Settle into your stateroom, meet your fellow travelers, and enjoy your first evening aboard.
Overnight docking in Lyon.
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 – LYON
Discover one of France’s great gastronomic and historic cities. Choose between an active bicycle exploration of Lyon or a classic guided sightseeing tour, including Fourvière Hill and the atmospheric Old Town with its medieval passageways and lively cafés.
Later, enjoy an onboard presentation focusing on World War II and the French Resistance, followed by evening entertainment.
Overnight docking in Lyon.
DAY 7 THURSDAY, APRIL 15 – LYON TO MACON
Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Delve deeper into Lyon’s renowned silk-making heritage with a museum visit, a walk through La Presqu’île, and a demonstration of traditional silk-screen printing.
Back aboard ship, enjoy a French pastry demonstration while cruising north toward Mâcon. Live entertainment is planned later in the evening.
Overnight docking in Mâcon.
DAY 8 FRIDAY, APRIL 16 – Mâcon & the Mâconnais Wine Country
Journey into the rolling countryside of the Mâconnais, one of Burgundy’s celebrated wine regions. Learn about its famous Chardonnay vineyards and visit the cellars of a medieval castle for a wine tasting.
Return to the ship for an afternoon and overnight cruise toward Tournon.
DAY 9 SATURDAY, APRIL 17 – TOURNON & VIVIERS
Begin with a guided walking tour of Tournon, one of France’s oldest medieval towns, highlighted by its 16th-century castle.
After lunch, enjoy a leisurely cruise to Viviers, where a late-afternoon walking tour introduces its pale-stone buildings, Romanesque cathedral, atmospheric Old Town, and layers of Roman, medieval, and Christian history.
Evening and overnight cruise to Avignon.
DAY 10 SUNDAY, APRIL 18 – AVIGNON
Spend the day in the magnificent walled city of Avignon. Choose an active bicycle tour or a classic guided visit featuring the imposing Palace of the Popes.
Optional excursions may include the ancient Roman Pont du Gard aqueduct or a wine experience in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. There is also time to explore Avignon’s museums, historic streets, and the famous Pont Saint-Bénézet independently.
Later, enjoy onboard entertainment as the ship sails toward Arles.
DAY 11 MONDAY, APRIL 19 – ARLES
Discover the Provençal city forever associated with Vincent van Gogh. Choose from several Avalon Choice experiences:
-
A guided power walk through Arles
-
A Van Gogh-inspired painting workshop
-
A classic guided walking tour featuring the impressive Roman Amphitheater
Enjoy additional free time to explore the colorful streets and cafés of this quintessential Provençal city.
Overnight docking in Arles.
DAY 13 TUESDAY, APRIL 20 – DISEMBARK / PROVENCE EXTENSION
From River Rhythms to Provençal Grace
Disembark the Avalon Poetry II this morning after breakfast and bid farewell to the Rhône. Your private motor coach will transfer you to the airport for your return flight home—or stay on for the Optional Provence Extension and experience the France that most travelers never see.
Ask about the Optional Provence Extension!
Included: Breakfast
PROVENCE EXTENSION!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20– LES BAUX / SAINT-RÉMY / LOURMARIN
Into the Heart of Provence
Disembark the Avalon Poetry II this morning and step into a land where sunlight paints the world in gold. Your private motor coach carries you into the dramatic heart of Provence.
Your first stop is Les Baux-de-Provence, a medieval village carved high into a rocky plateau, where sweeping views of the Alpilles and winding stone lanes whisper centuries of history. Just below, slip into the otherworldly glow of the Carrières des Lumières—an immersive art experience where masterpieces ripple across ancient quarry walls in a breathtaking symphony of light and sound.
Next, the road curves to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence for an included lunch, savoring Provençal flavors under the same gentle light that once stirred Van Gogh's genius. Roman ruins, triumphal arches, and cypress-lined paths wrap the town in timeless beauty.
By late afternoon, arrive in Lourmarin—one of the Luberon's most graceful villages—where Renaissance façades, shaded cafés, and quiet lanes welcome you with unmistakable charm. Settle in for two nights at Le Moulin, a lovingly restored boutique hotel where terracotta tiles and Provençal fabrics wrap each room in the soul of the south.
Included: Lunch
THURSDAY, APRIL 21 – THE LUBERON VALLEY
Roussillon, Gordes & Bonnieux
Morning arrives softly in Lourmarin. After breakfast, set out as the Luberon Valley unfolds like a living watercolor. The road winds through orchards and vineyards before revealing Roussillon, where cliffs shimmer in shades of ochre—crimson, saffron, gold—and the village itself seems brushed from the same palette.
Farther on, Gordes rises from the rocky hills, its stone houses cascading down the slope in soft, sunlit tiers. Wander at your own pace, choose a café for lunch on your own, or join optional visits to the Village des Bories or the serene Abbaye de Sénanque, its lavender fields soon to bloom.
Later, the road dips into the quiet elegance of Bonnieux, where an included wine tasting in a vaulted stone cellar lets you savor the deep reds and crisp whites shaped by this sun-blessed valley.
As the day softens toward evening, return to Lourmarin for a special group dinner beneath the plane trees.
Included: Breakfast, Wine Tasting, Dinner
FRIDAY, APRIL 22 – CHÂTEAU LA COSTE / AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Where Art, Architecture & Wine Converge
After breakfast, check out of Le Moulin and set out for Château La Coste—part open-air museum, part working organic vineyard. The estate unfolds across rolling Provençal hills dotted with installations and architectural masterpieces by Tadao Ando, Louise Bourgeois, Frank Gehry, Andy Goldsworthy, Richard Serra, and more. Wander the art trail through forests, across vineyards, and over shimmering pools, with a new sculptural discovery around every bend. Your visit culminates with a tasting of Château La Coste's elegant Provençal wines, followed by an included lunch on site.
From there, continue to the luminous city of Aix-en-Provence—a refined university town beloved by painters and poets. Grand boulevards lined with plane trees, graceful fountains, and sun-washed squares create a scene that feels unmistakably Provençal. Stroll the historic center where Cézanne once found endless inspiration, and linger over a coffee or glass of rosé in a leafy plaza. The evening is yours to explore at your own pace.
Overnight at Hôtel Paul, a charming boutique stay in the historical heart of Aix-en-Provence.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
SATURDAY, APRIL 23 – DEPART PROVENCE
A Ben Leu — See You Soon
After a final breakfast at Hôtel Paul, check out and transfer to the Marseille airport or TGV station for your journey home—carrying with you the colors, flavors, and unhurried magic of Provence.
Included: Breakfast
PRICING
RIVERVIEW (No Balcony)
DOUBLE
(group of two)
$8,150
PER PERSON
RIVERVIEW (No Balcony)
SINGLE
$11,574
PER PERSON
BALCONY
DOUBLE
(group of two)
$10,149
PER PERSON
BALCONY
SINGLE
$14,672
PER PERSON
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Please call us!
*20% deposit due at registration. Balance due by January 15, 2027.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY
STEP
1
BOOK YOUR
TRIP
You will receive a letter of confirmation within one week.
STEP
2
GET YOUR TRIP DETAILS
Receive your travel packet with all your travel details 1-2 weeks prior to departure.
STEP
3
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact us at any time. We are always happy to speak with you.
STEP
4
ENJOY YOUR TRIP
Relax and enjoy your stress-free travel!