Your holiday in France begins with two overnights on the French Riviera. Relax along the remarkably blue water of the Mediterranean Sea before your French river cruise. Take a wondrous journey through beautiful views of France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightseeing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! A Master of Wine will accompany you on your river cruise in France with presentations, tastings, and wine pairings along the way.

Embark your Avalon Suite Ship in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and for its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre, which hosts plays and concerts to this day. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world—and take a guided tour to Châteauneuf du Pape. Take a guided walk through Tournon, beautifully nestled among vine-yards and a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux and stand in front of the famous fountain seen on postcards. Then take a guided tour to Beaujolais and the following day to Chardonnay, where you will have the opportunity to taste local wines.

About Masters of Wine

Seldom do travellers get the chance to learn about wines from a master! Avalon invites you to sail in the company of a Master of Wine (MW) who shares elite experience, unsurpassed knowledge, and personal passion for wines on board your ship. With only 450 Masters of Wine in the world, Avalon Waterways is honoured to welcome a Master of Wine on board our Wine-Lovers cruises to share their rigorous training and prestigious expertise recognised globally across the wine industry. A truly exclusive experience for wine lovers!