19 nights · Nice, France Riviera · River cruise · Departs Villefranche-sur-Mer (France) · Visiting Arles, Avignon, Viviers-sur-Rhone, Tournon-sur-Rhone, Lyon, Tournus, Chalon-sur-Saone, Beaune, Dijon, Paris City, Vernon, Les Andelys, Rives-en-Seine, Rouen, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, London-Tilbury · Aboard Avalon Waterways on the Avalon Poetry II
Image courtesy of Avalon Waterways ©
This river cruise sails the Rhone, Saone and Seine, departing Villefranche-sur-Mer.
| Cruise line | Avalon Waterways |
|---|---|
| Ship | Avalon Poetry II |
| Duration | 19 nights |
| Port calls | 17 |
| Departures | 15 sailings |
| From fare | $10,202 per person |
| Year built | 2014 |
| Guests | 130 |
| Cabins | 65 |
| Crew | 37 |
| Length | 110 m |
| Beam | 12 m |
| Cruising speed | 12.0 kn |
Villefranche-sur-Mer makes an unusually graceful first impression: pastel houses rise above one of the Riviera’s deepest natural harbors. Wander the old town’s narrow lanes, then visit the 16th-century citadel and its museums. Jean Cocteau’s painted Chapel of Saint-Pierre adds a distinctive local detail. Nearby trains connect you with Nice; roads lead to Èze and the wider Côte d’Azur.
Arles stands on the Rhône in Provence, where Roman monuments and a working southern French city share the same streets. The UNESCO-listed Roman theatre and amphitheatre remain central landmarks, built when ancient Arelate prospered. Vincent van Gogh painted here from 1888 to 1889, drawn by the region’s clear light. Visit the Fondation Vincent van Gogh, then explore the old town’s Provençal markets and café terraces.
Avignon rewards a slow first look: medieval ramparts frame a city shaped by popes, merchants and the Rhône. Inside the walls, the immense Palais des Papes recalls the 14th-century era when the papacy moved here. Nearby, the broken span of Pont Saint-Bénézet reaches into the river, made famous by the French song. Leave time for shaded squares, Provençal markets and a glass of local wine before the Rhône carries you onward.
Viviers stands on the Rhône in Ardèche, a compact medieval town best explored on foot. Stone lanes climb toward the Cathedral of Saint-Vincent, whose Romanesque origins and later additions reflect centuries of ecclesiastical power. Look for bishops’ residences, sculpted doorways and views across the river valley. Beyond town, Ardèche landscapes invite excursions to vineyards, limestone gorges and hill villages, while Viviers rewards those who linger.
From the Rhône’s western bank, Tournon-sur-Rhône faces the celebrated vineyards of Tain-l’Hermitage, just across the river. Its medieval castle now houses a museum, while steep lanes climb past stone houses and old town walls. A suspension bridge links the two towns, making vineyard visits and tastings easy. Come for the northern Rhône’s Syrah, then return to the quay for river views and a slower, distinctly French afternoon.
Where the Rhône meets the Saône, France’s third-largest city joins Roman foundations, Renaissance streets and contemporary architecture. Walk Vieux Lyon’s covered passageways, then climb to Fourvière for broad views over terracotta roofs. Come hungry: Lyon’s bouchons serve regional dishes, while Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse brings together the city’s finest producers. Allow time for the riverbanks, museums and a meal that makes Lyon’s culinary reputation tangible.
Tournus puts Burgundy’s river country within easy reach, with the Saône flowing past its old stone centre. At its heart, the Abbey of Saint-Philibert is a major Romanesque landmark, renowned for its massive nave and atmospheric crypt. Explore narrow streets, visit the Hôtel-Dieu and Greuze Museum, or linger over the region’s celebrated food and Mâconnais wines. This is a rewarding stop for travellers who value history, fine tables and an unhurried pace.
Chalon-sur-Saône sits on the Saône in southern Burgundy, where river trade meets celebrated wine country. Its historic centre rewards a leisurely walk, from Saint-Vincent Cathedral to timber-framed houses and lively market squares. Nicéphore Niépce, who made the earliest surviving photograph, was born here; his museum explores photography’s beginnings. Beyond town, the Côte Chalonnaise invites visitors to discover its vineyards and family-run cellars.
Beaune puts Burgundy’s celebrated wine country within easy reach, with vineyards beginning just beyond its medieval walls. Start at the Hôtel-Dieu, the 15th-century hospital whose patterned tiled roof has become the town’s emblem. Then follow the old ramparts to cellars where Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reveal their differences. The Saturday market brings local cheeses, mustard and seasonal produce into the streets. Allow time for lunch; Beaune rewards an unhurried visit.
Come ashore in Dijon and discover Burgundy’s former ducal capital, where medieval streets lead to the Palace of the Dukes. Follow the bronze owl markers through the compact centre to Notre-Dame and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Taste Dijon mustard or pain d’épices, its spiced honey cake. The city is also a gateway to Burgundy’s celebrated vineyards.
Paris rewards travellers who look beyond its familiar landmarks. Follow the Seine past the Louvre and Notre-Dame; explore streets where cafés, markets and small museums reveal daily life. The Eiffel Tower still commands the skyline, but the best hours are spent walking, with time for lunch. Choose one or two neighbourhoods rather than racing across town; Paris is best experienced at street level.
Vernon rewards a closer look before you follow the Seine toward Giverny. On the river, the half-timbered Old Mill stands dramatically on medieval bridge piers, a defining view. Nearby, the Gothic church of Notre-Dame and quiet streets preserve the town’s long history. Monet’s house and gardens lie about five kilometres away in Giverny, the setting for many of his paintings.
Les Andelys rewards a pause on the Seine, where white chalk cliffs rise above two historic quarters. Above Le Petit-Andely, Richard the Lionheart’s Château Gaillard has watched the valley since the late 12th century. Climb to its ruins for sweeping views, then descend to the riverside lanes and the Gothic church of Notre-Dame. This is Normandy at an unhurried scale: dramatic landscape, medieval ambition and room to explore.
Caudebec-en-Caux, now part of Rives-en-Seine, sits on a bend of the Seine in Normandy. Begin at Notre-Dame, where a finely carved Gothic façade and Renaissance stained glass reward a closer look. The Musée de la Marine de Seine traces the river’s working life and the communities shaped by its trade. Nearby, explore the evocative ruins of Jumièges Abbey, one of Normandy’s great medieval sites.
Rouen rewards travelers who leave the ship and walk straight into its history. Half-timbered houses line narrow streets, while the soaring cathedral once drew Claude Monet back to paint its changing façade. At the old marketplace, Joan of Arc was executed in 1431; today, a church commemorates her. Pause for Normandy’s butter-rich cuisine, then follow the Seine-side quays for a quieter view of this working port.
At the meeting of the Seine and Oise, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine has long been known as France’s capital of inland navigation. Barges line the riverbanks, recalling the crews and families who made these waterways their working world. Walk up to the historic center and Saint-Maclou church, then look back across the river traffic. Conflans offers a close view of France’s living river culture, far from the usual Paris landmarks.
Paris rewards travellers who look beyond its familiar landmarks. Follow the Seine past the Louvre and Notre-Dame; explore streets where cafés, markets and small museums reveal daily life. The Eiffel Tower still commands the skyline, but the best hours are spent walking, with time for lunch. Choose one or two neighbourhoods rather than racing across town; Paris is best experienced at street level.
London puts royal ceremony beside a working city, with history written across its streets, squares and riverfront. From the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey, landmark visits reward unhurried exploration. The British Museum and National Gallery offer world-class collections, while Covent Garden and the South Bank make excellent walking territory. Cruise ships serving London commonly dock at Tilbury, about 25 miles east of the centre. Confirm your berth and transfer arrangements before setting out.
Published August 12, 2026
Last updated October 26, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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