Grand France with 2 Nights in French Riviera (Southbound)

Home to more than 10 million people, the "City of Light" is majestic in its architecture and artistic heritage. More than a destination of pleasurable externals, bourgeois absolutes and just-baked baguettes (French law demands they bake them fresh thrice daily), Paris is great sightseeing, incredible shopping and leisure dining that always comes with desserts in the form of delicate trays of the finest chocolates and macaroons.

Paris is so much more than the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame and the Louvre. This trip, stroll the Marais and shop along rue des Francs Bourgeois or walk under the arches of the oldest square in Paris, Place des Vosges. Take time to explore the Latin Quarter to see the church of St. Severin, the Sorbonne and rue Mouffetard -- not just because it's where Joyce, Orwell, Balzac and Hemmingway once lived, but also for the rows and rows of fresh food glistening like bouquets of colourful gems under the street market's faded French-blue-striped awnings. Stop by the bookseller's stalls along the banks of the Seine around Notre-Dame for antique and second-hand books, comic strips, post cards and posters at great prices.

Saint Germain-des-Pres and the stately Church of St. Sulpice's beautiful Delacroix murals are a must-see this trip -- as is the St. Germain Church, the city's oldest church -- before heading down its enchanting streets, through the old squares and artists' studios that surround it. Don't forget to leave time to head up to the little village of Montmarte and the old cobbled streets where Renoir, Lautrec and van Gogh lived and worked; there are wonderful views of the city.

Vernon is a picturesque town located in Normandy, France. Nestled along the banks of the Seine River, it offers stunning views of the countryside and charming architecture. Vernon is renowned for its rich history, with attractions like the medieval Château de Bizy and the beautiful gardens of Claude Monet's house in nearby Giverny.

Caudebec-en-Caux is a charming commune located in Normandy, France. Situated on the banks of the Seine River, it offers picturesque views and a rich historical heritage. With its quaint streets, traditional half-timbered houses, and a beautiful medieval church, Caudebec-en-Caux attracts visitors seeking a peaceful and authentic French countryside experience.

Caudebec-en-Caux is a charming commune located in Normandy, France. Situated on the banks of the Seine River, it offers picturesque views and a rich historical heritage. With its quaint streets, traditional half-timbered houses, and a beautiful medieval church, Caudebec-en-Caux attracts visitors seeking a peaceful and authentic French countryside experience.

The capital of Normandy, Rouen is just a bit over an hour's train ride from Paris. If you've only got a day and you're intent on doing the "if it's Tuesday it must be Paris" shtick by heading off to the big city on your own, we won't dissuade you -- particularly if you've not been there before.

But Rouen's worth a look, too. With 2,000 years of history, it is one of the country's most ancient cities, laid out by the Duke of Normandy in 911. Victor Hugo called Rouen "the city of a hundred spires." Like Paris, the city is divided by the Seine, and like Paris, Rouennais refer to the sides as Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and Rive Droite (Right Bank). The Old City is on the Right Bank. Chock-a-block with cobbled streets dotted with French Norman architecture dating back to the Middle Ages, it is where you'll see the gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral and swear you've spied Monet painting a cityscape across the way, as he did. Visit the thyme-covered mound in the square where Joan of Arc burned at the stake (place du Vieux-Marche) in 1431 while the English had control of Rouen from 1431 - 1449.

Over the centuries, great devastation came to Rouen -- including 45 major fires in the first half of the 13th century. WWII destroyed all its bridges, many of its spires, and much of the area between the cathedral and the quais -- resulting in the city being almost entirely rebuilt in the years since the end of the war.

Rouen is also a terrific jumping-off point for other great haunts in Normandy -- marvellous places like Giverny (31 miles/50km), Honfleur (44 miles/72km) and Dieppe (36 miles/58km). And we can't say enough about the entire region being a spread-out bonanza of creamy Camembert, velvety omelettes, oysters so fresh you'll think they jumped from the sea unto your plate and Bon Bere (cider) in provincial cafes anywhere you go.

Conflans-Sainte-Honorine is a picturesque town located in the Yvelines department of France. Situated at the confluence of the Seine and Oise rivers, it offers stunning views and a rich history. Known for its charming streets, historic monuments, and peaceful atmosphere, it is a delightful destination for visitors and locals alike.

Home to more than 10 million people, the "City of Light" is majestic in its architecture and artistic heritage. More than a destination of pleasurable externals, bourgeois absolutes and just-baked baguettes (French law demands they bake them fresh thrice daily), Paris is great sightseeing, incredible shopping and leisure dining that always comes with desserts in the form of delicate trays of the finest chocolates and macaroons.

Paris is so much more than the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame and the Louvre. This trip, stroll the Marais and shop along rue des Francs Bourgeois or walk under the arches of the oldest square in Paris, Place des Vosges. Take time to explore the Latin Quarter to see the church of St. Severin, the Sorbonne and rue Mouffetard -- not just because it's where Joyce, Orwell, Balzac and Hemmingway once lived, but also for the rows and rows of fresh food glistening like bouquets of colourful gems under the street market's faded French-blue-striped awnings. Stop by the bookseller's stalls along the banks of the Seine around Notre-Dame for antique and second-hand books, comic strips, post cards and posters at great prices.

Saint Germain-des-Pres and the stately Church of St. Sulpice's beautiful Delacroix murals are a must-see this trip -- as is the St. Germain Church, the city's oldest church -- before heading down its enchanting streets, through the old squares and artists' studios that surround it. Don't forget to leave time to head up to the little village of Montmarte and the old cobbled streets where Renoir, Lautrec and van Gogh lived and worked; there are wonderful views of the city.

Chalon-Sur-Saone in east-central France has been an important port since ancient times. Caesar chose it as his winter headquarters and in the 6th century it was the capital of the Kingdom of Burgundy. Chalon's fine quays border the Saône river at its junction with the Canal du Centre. The town holds a few carnivals and traditional festivals each year: one of giant masks (March), street performers (July) and film (October). It has several museums displaying stone-age tools and a history of photography and spy equipment. The former cathedral (now church) of Saint-Vincent was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. The church of Saint-Pierre has two steeples and was built in the late 17th century. There are a number of old houses, a 15th-century Episcopal palace, and remains of ancient ramparts. The town's museum of fine arts and archaeology is one of the finest in Burgundy. The town is the birthplace of Nicephore Niepce, who invented photography, and there is a museum in his honour. It is the commercial centre of the Saône valley and a good start for excursions to Dijon.

Located on the Rhone, Tournon is set in countryside dotted with 16th century castles, Roman ruins and covered with vineyards.Tournon's main attraction is a a feudal castle that is built into a rock overlooking the town and the river. The castle, whose foundations date back to the 10th Century, has a section built in the Renaissance that houses the town museum. Other sights in Tournon sur Rhône include the Collegiate Church of Saint-Julien and the Lycee Gabriel-Faure, a school that was founded in 1536 by the Cardinal of Tournon and which claims to be the oldest lycee in France. Tournon sur Rhône is a gateway to the Ardèche and the Doux Valley, which can be reached by road or via an excursion on the Vivarais steam railway.

Viviers is a charming medieval town located in the Ardèche department of south-eastern France. Known for its rich historical heritage, Viviers boasts well-preserved narrow streets, a stunning Romanesque cathedral, and picturesque views of the Rhône River. Visitors can explore its architectural gems and immerse themselves in its timeless ambiance.

Anyone who visits Avignon will quickly see why it's such a raved-about port on Rhone River cruise itineraries. Nestled in the heart of France's Provence region, the small city is quaint and intimate, with a chic vibe. You'll find stone buildings with pastel-colored shutters, boutique shops and hotels, and lively little squares -- including Place de L'Horloge, a roughly 10-minute walk from the pier. It literally feels as if you've stepped foot inside a postcard from the South of France. Looks aside, the "City of Popes" is rich in Roman Catholic history. Between 1309 to 1377, popes lived in Avignon instead of Rome, due to unstable political conditions at the time. Avignon is home to the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), the largest gothic palace in the world, and adjacent Notre-Dame des Doms Cathedral (known as the Avignon Cathedral). Avignon is also conveniently located about an hour outside Marseille (which has the nearest, major international airport). This makes it a prime embarkation and disembarkation point for a number of river cruise lines. Heading there in July? Try to plan for a glimpse of the annual Festival d'Avignon, one of the biggest performing arts festivals in the world.

Arles is one of the southernmost ports on France's Rhone River, not far the Mediterranean Sea. The city is massive, but the Old Town area feels like its own little village and is quite walkable. Once inside the heart of the city, it's easy (and we encourage you) to get lost in the plethora of winding cobblestone alleyways. You might even get a sense of deja vu. A number of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings feature scenes from Arles -- most notably, the Cafe Van Gogh from "Cafe Terrace at Night," which is nestled in a lively square among shops and other eateries. Perhaps the city's most well-known feature, however, is its collection of some of the earliest Roman monuments. The arena, theater and cryptoporticus all date back to the 1st century BC The arena is still in use today. The city is approximately a five-minute walk from the pier. On days when Arles' pier is overcrowded, riverboats dock at the nearby village of Tarascon and take a 20-minute shuttle ride to the city. A number of river lines use Arles as either an embarkation or disembarkation point for their cruises, as the city is also within close proximity to Marseille (the nearest, major international airport).

Arles is one of the southernmost ports on France's Rhone River, not far the Mediterranean Sea. The city is massive, but the Old Town area feels like its own little village and is quite walkable. Once inside the heart of the city, it's easy (and we encourage you) to get lost in the plethora of winding cobblestone alleyways. You might even get a sense of deja vu. A number of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings feature scenes from Arles -- most notably, the Cafe Van Gogh from "Cafe Terrace at Night," which is nestled in a lively square among shops and other eateries. Perhaps the city's most well-known feature, however, is its collection of some of the earliest Roman monuments. The arena, theater and cryptoporticus all date back to the 1st century BC The arena is still in use today. The city is approximately a five-minute walk from the pier. On days when Arles' pier is overcrowded, riverboats dock at the nearby village of Tarascon and take a 20-minute shuttle ride to the city. A number of river lines use Arles as either an embarkation or disembarkation point for their cruises, as the city is also within close proximity to Marseille (the nearest, major international airport).