Europe | Paris and the Heart of Normandy

Welcome to Paris. We will meet you at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport and transfer you to your ship in Le Havre.* After boarding, take free time to explore. (D)

After breakfast, begin your full-day tour to the historic beaches of Normandy. Here, you see World War II landmarks and monuments such as Pointe du Hoc monument, Omaha Beach, the American Military Cemetery and Arromanches Debarkment Museum. Enjoy lunch in a local Normandy restaurant. On the way back to the ship, pass Gold Beach, Courseulles sur Mer and Juno Beach. Return to your ship for dinner. (B, L, D)

This morning, take a short drive to Honfleur, one of Normandy’s best-preserved ports nestled on the left bank at the Seine’s mouth. Take a guided walking tour through the town’s narrow streets where you see a number of waterfront houses, the old harbor and timbered Church of St. Catherine’s, one of Monet’s favorite subjects. During your tour, you will discover why Honfleur’s beauty and amazing natural light attracted Impressionist artists. During free time you can shop or try a sample of local Calvados. Lunch aboard is followed by an afternoon departure. This evening after dinner, arrive in the quaint town of Caudebec and join your Cruise Manager for a guided walk to see the Church of Notre Dame Caudebec. Or you can enjoy free time to have a coffee in a waterfront café. Depart Caudebec this evening and cruise through the night. (B, L, D)

Following breakfast, start your day with a walking tour through the historic center of Rouen, capital of Normandy. This is the city where Joan of Arc was imprisoned, tried for heresy and burned at the stake in 1431. See the 14th-century courthouse where she was sentenced to death and visit Market Square where she was martyred. Walk through the city center and see the Old Town, Cathedral of Notre Dame and famous Clock Tower. Enjoy free time the rest of the day. (B, L, D)

Arrive this morning in the small town of Les Andelys, known for its imposing castle, Château Gaillard, built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart. Join a guided walk or explore this masterpiece of Middle Ages architecture on your own. This is the most dramatic sight along the Seine River. Return to your ship for lunch and afternoon cruising.

This afternoon arrive in the provincial town of Vernon and board a motorcoach for a short ride into the town of Giverny where Claude Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926. Your guided tour will visit the beautiful gardens and lily ponds that surround the charming stone farmhouse where he lived and worked. Admire the water garden with its Japanese bridge, water lilies, wisteria and azaleas which were the inspiration for many of Monet’s masterpieces. Tour the museum and enjoy free time to stroll the picture-perfect gardens. Then return to Vernon for free time. You can stroll through the town and see the Maison du Temps Jadis (House of Past Times), Vernon’s oldest house, and the 11th-century Church of Notre Dame. Return to your ship for dinner and an evening departure. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, take a walking tour along the cobbled streets of Conflans. Or, join an optional tour to the luxurious Palace of Versailles, former home of Louis XIV. Lunch aboard is followed by an afternoon departure. Later today, arrive in Paris and enjoy an evening at leisure. (B, L, D)

Wake up to a full day in Paris. After breakfast, embark on a half-day tour of this beautiful city and take in its most remarkable sights, including the famous Eiffel Tower. Continue your tour passing the École Militaire, Orsay Museum and Latin Quarter. You then see the Cathedral of Notre Dame and its intricate architecture. Continue the tour with a drive past the Louvre and Opera House and along the famous Champs Elysées. Return to your ship for lunch. During your afternoon free time, you may tour the Louvre, shop the many boutiques or visit the artists’ district of Montmartre. Later today, enjoy a cruise along the Seine through the heart of the city. Dinner is served aboard. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, disembark and we will take you to the Paris airport for your return flight.* (B)