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Grand France (Southbound)

Embark on a spectacular Avalon Waterways River Cruise through France on this 15-day itinerary, featuring ports across 3 different rivers.

Through your Avalon Adventure Host, embark on a wide range of tours and excursions – from the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Normandy’s WWII landing beaches.

Relax and make the most of the amenities aboard either the Avalon Tapestry II or the Avalon Poetry II – the luxurious vessels appointed for this Saône River Cruise.

4.6
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from 311 reviews
  • Cruise Line: Avalon Waterways
  • Ship: Avalon Tapestry II / Avalon Poetry II
  • Duration: 14 Nights
  • Departure: Apr - Nov
AVG PER PERSON*
£4,822
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Grand France (Southbound) Cruise Prices

Starting price per person
May 13, 2025
£6,481
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May 13, 2025
£6,481
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May 27, 2025
£9,329
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May 27, 2025
£9,329
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Jun 24, 2025
£8,751
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Jun 24, 2025
£8,751
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Jul 08, 2025
£5,653
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Jul 08, 2025
£5,653
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Aug 05, 2025
£5,653
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Aug 05, 2025
£5,653
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Aug 19, 2025
£5,887
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Aug 19, 2025
£5,887
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Sep 16, 2025
£6,696
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Sep 16, 2025
£6,696
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Sep 30, 2025
£6,443
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Sep 30, 2025
£6,443
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Oct 28, 2025
£5,263
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Oct 28, 2025
£5,263
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Nov 11, 2025
£5,029
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Nov 11, 2025
£5,029
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Nov 11, 2025
£5,029
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Nov 11, 2025
£5,029
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Apr 01, 2025
POA
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Apr 01, 2025
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Apr 15, 2025
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Apr 15, 2025
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Oct 14, 2025
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Oct 14, 2025
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Grand France Cruise Itinerary

On this adventure, enjoy a blend of classic, active and discovery excursions – all made available through your Avalon Adventure Host. You’ll also have access to a wide variety of on-board workshops, tastings, lectures and live entertainment.

    Day 1

    Paris (EMBARK)

    Welcome to France. Spend the day exploring at your leisure before boarding your suite ship before 5pm.

    Day 2

    Vernon / Les Andelys

    Explore Vernon’s Château des Tourelles on foot, take a guided tour of Giverny, visit Bizy Castle or, back on-board enjoy a traditional French Luncheon and pastry demonstration.
    Upon arrival in Les Andelys, choose to explore via walking tour or guided hike to Chateau Gaillard.

    Day 3

    Caudebec

    Today, enjoy a relaxing bike ride alongside your Adventure Host or journey along the Normandy Abbeys Route on a guided trip. You may also choose to embark on an optional guided excursion to Honfleur.

    Day 4

    Caudebec (excursion to Normandy)

    Join a guided tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, take a full-day guided tour of British and Canadian commemorative sites or opt for the ‘A Taste of Normandy’ guided tour.

    Day 5

    Rouen

    Opt for either a standard walking tour or bike tour of Rouen.

    Day 6

    Conflans

    Embark on a bike ride along the Seine, join a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise or take a guided tour of the Château de Malmaison. You may also wish to join an optional excursion to the Palace of Versailles.

    *Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Monday of each month and on 22nd September. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly.

    Day 7

    Paris

    Experience the Seine by foot with your Adventure Host, enjoy a guided walk through the heart of Paris or embark on a guided city tour to all the iconic sites.

    Day 8

    Paris / Dijon / Beaune / Chalon-sur-Saône

    Today, you’ll take a high-speed train from Paris to Dijon, to drive on to Beaune.
    Visit the Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital – home of Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement.
    This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your ship.

    Day 9

    Tournus

    Explore Tournus with a local guide – later, enjoy a Cheese Tasting back on board your ship.
    You may also consider joining an optional guided excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin.

    Day 10

    Lyon

    Discover Lyon by bike with your Adventure Host, join a guided sightseeing tour including the Old Town or enjoy a WWII and French Resistance lecture back on-board.

    Day 11

    Lyon

    On offer today is a culinary walk through Lyon – the gastronomic capital of France. The rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

    Day 12

    Tournon / Viviers

    This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Tournon, before a leisurely sail to Vivers after lunch.
    Upon arrival, explore Vivers on a guided walking tour through its Old Town.

    Day 13

    Avignon

    Today, you’ll explore this fortress city on a guided sightseeing tour – including a visit to the Palace of the Popes.
    You may also join a guided excursion to Pont du Gard or the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

    Day 14

    Arles

    Keep fit on a Power Walk through Arles with your Adventure Host, attend a painting workshop on the techniques of Vincent Van Gogh or enjoy a guided walking tour with a visit to the Roman Amphitheater.

    Day 15

    Arles (DISEMBARK)

    Your cruise ends after breakfast this morning.

    GRAND FRANCE CRUISE SHIPS

    Avalon Tapestry II

    Avalon Poetry II

    Trustpilot Reviews

    Grand France Deals

    Continue your travels through France

    Avalon Waterways
    Departure: Apr to Nov
    VISITING: Paris (EMBARK) Vernon / Les Andelys Caudebec Caudebec (excursion to Normandy) Rouen Conflans Paris Paris / Dijon / Beaune / Chalon-sur-Saône Avignon Lyon Arles Tournon / Viviers Tournus
    AVG PER PERSON* £ 5,029
    Avalon Waterways
    Departure: Apr to Oct
    VISITING: Arles Avignon Viviers Tain l’Hermitage Lyon Tournus / Chalon-sur-Saône Chalon-sur-Saône / Beaune / Dijon / Paris Les Andelys / Vernon Caudebec Caudebec / Normandy Rouen Conflans Paris Paris / Bordeaux Cadillac-sur-Garonne Cussac Fort Médoc Blaye / Bourg Libourne / Saint-Émilion Bordeaux Bordeaux / Arcachon’s Bay
    AVG PER PERSON* £ 9,011
    SAVE 44%
    7 Nights

    Paris to Normandy

    Avalon Waterways
    Departure: Apr to Nov
    VISITING: Paris Vernon / Les Andelys Caudebec Rouen Conflans
    AVG PER PERSON* £ 1,700

    Grand France Cruise Review

    “Genuinely a pleasant and informative trip. A large range of excursions on a well-paced itinerary which includes free-time to explore on your own. My room was lovely and well-maintained throughout my stay – staff were kind, helpful and knowledgable.”

    Eric Smith, Leeds

    Grand France FAQ

    Which ships are available?

    On this adventure, you’ll travel aboard either the Avalon Tapestry II or Avalon Poetry II – both featuring free on-board wifi and an elegant contemporary design.

    What kinds of activities are available?

    On this adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to go on walking tours, bike tours, tastings, train rides and much more. There’s also a variety of on-board lectures, workshops and live entertainment.

    How many rivers are on this cruise?

    This cruise conducts you down the Seine, Saône and Rhône rivers.

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