Cruise Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

 

Friday, March 27 - Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Rhône River, France – North to South 
Southbound Route 
Ship: Avalon Poetry II
Ports: Lyon --> Vienne -->Tournon --> Viviers --> Arles 

Four (4) nights onboard
60 rooms / 128 maximum occupancy
37 crew members

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Departure Port

Our port in Lyon won't be determined until 72 hours prior to departure due to river tides, but there are two possible options:

1. Quai Rambaud (37 Quai Rambaud, 69002 Lyon, France)
2. Quai Claude Bernard (20 Quai Claude Bernard, 69007 Lyon, France)

Please plan on checking the MyAvalon website where it will be posted once confirmed.


Itinerary

Friday, March 27, 2026

8:00 am Guest arrivals begin 

12:00 pm Lunch onboard (optional) 

4:00 pm All guests onboard  

Welcome Reception: An Ode to The Amigos
6:00pm – 7:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Lyon, France

Welcome Dinner: Cave Yves Cuilleron, Domaine Gangloff, Famille Pierre Gaillard, François Villard
Featuring wines from the four domaines presented by winemakers Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard, Yves Gangloff and François Villard
7:00pm - 9:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Lyon, France

~Port: Lyon (overnight docking) 


Saturday, March 28, 2026

7:00 am Depart for Vienne 

8:30 am Breakfast

Master Class: Rhône Valley Overview - go with the flow
Moderated by sommelier, Kelly Mc Auliffe and HdR founding director, John Alban
9:30am – 11:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Vienne, France

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch (at your leisure) 

1:30 pm – 5:00 pm Free time in Vienne (with suggested activities curated by Hospice du Rhône)

Dinner: E. Guigal
Featuring wines from E. Guigal presented by winemaker, Philippe Guigal
7:00pm - 9:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Vienne, France

~Port: Vienne to Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage (depart 1:00am) 


Sunday, March 29, 2026

5:00 am Arrive in Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage 

8:30 am Breakfast  

Master Class: Domaine de la Chapelle
Featuring wines from Domaine de la Chapelle presented by winemaker, Caroline Frey
9:30am – 11:00am | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage, France

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch (at your leisure) 

1:30 pm – 5:00 pm Excursions OR Free time in Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage

Dinner: M. Chapoutier
Featuring wines from M. Chapoutier presented by winemaker, Maxime Chapoutier
7:00pm – 9:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Tournon / Tain-l'Hermitage, France

~Port: Tournon to Viviers (depart 1:00am) 


Monday, March 30, 2026

8:30 am Breakfast  

Master Class: Domaine Tempier
Featuring wines from Domaine Tempier presented by winemaker, Daniel Ravier
9:30am – 11:00am | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Viviers, France

Rosé Lunch: Tavel 
Featuring wines from Tavel AOC presented by the appellation director, Sandra Gay-Moulines
12:00pm – 1:30pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Viviers, France

Focus Tasting: Ventoux
Featuring wines from AOC Ventoux presented by thirteen producers
2:30pm – 4:30pm | Hostellerie Charles de Foucauld | Viviers, France
 
Dinner: Domaine de la Mordorée
Featuring wines from Domaine de la Mordorée presented by winemakers, Madeleine Delorme and Ambre Delorme
7:00pm – 9:00pm | Onboard Avalon Poetry II | Viviers, France

~Port: Viviers to Arles
 

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

8:00 am Breakfast  

9:00 am All guests check-out of ship, bring luggage on shuttle

Tour: Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
Moderated by sommelier, Kelly Mc Auliffe and appellation director, Michel Blanc
9:00am – 10:30am | By shuttle | Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Focus Tasting: Châteauneuf-du-Pape 
Featuring wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC presented by seventeen producers
11:00am – 1:00pm | Château of Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Lunch: Braz & Bros 
Featuring wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC
12:00pm – 1:30pm | Château of Châteauneuf-du-Pape | Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France

Shuttle service to Avignon, France
1:30pm - 2:00pm | drop-off at Quai de l'Oulles, next to Allée de l'Oulle, 84000 Avignon, France

Conclusion of cruise - au revoir!
 

Please note: