Burgundy & Provence (Northbound)
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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! Embark your ship in Arles—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, 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. The city of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards and you’ll go on a guided walk of this 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 you’ve seen on postcards.
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Avalon's suite ships in Europe and Southeast Asia boast wall-to-wall windows that transform cabins into open-air balconies, and there are also river-facing beds to make the most of passing views.
The line’s Active & Discovery sailings have optional action-packed experiences alongside traditional shore tours.
Avalon Waterways also offers short-break cruises of three and four nights.
![Arles, France image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2022/01/12/16/39/22/5569c6ab-e821-4b23-9216-ba21642d33cd/Avalon_Poetry II_Exterior_Rhone_10.jpg)
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![Tournon-sur-Rhône, France image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2022/01/12/16/39/22/5569c6ab-e821-4b23-9216-ba21642d33cd/Avalon_Poetry II_Exterior_Rhone_10.jpg)
![Lyon, France image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2022/01/12/16/39/22/5569c6ab-e821-4b23-9216-ba21642d33cd/Avalon_Poetry II_Exterior_Rhone_10.jpg)
![Chalon-sur-Saône, France image](https://www.worldofcruising.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/width=700,quality=90/https://widgety-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2022/01/12/16/39/22/5569c6ab-e821-4b23-9216-ba21642d33cd/Avalon_Poetry II_Exterior_Rhone_10.jpg)
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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.
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