zParis & Normandy - Cruise & Tour

Arrive in Paris and transfer to your luxurious ship. Meet your fellow passengers at the Welcome Dinner. Meals D

Spend the morning enjoying the lovely scenery along the Seine as you cruise to the provincial town of Vernon. The afternoon brings the chance to visit Giverny. There, you will tour the house and gardens of the Impressionist master Claude Monet. The artist lived here for more than four decades, immortalizing the flowers, footbridges and stone structures of his country estate in some of his most famous paintings, including the renowned Water Lillies series. Meals B,L,D

In the morning, enjoy the scenery as you cruise leisurely on the Seine. Arrive in Rouen, where you will tour this medieval city, the historic capital of Normandy. Walk through the old town to the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet. You will also visit the square where Joan of Arc was martyred. Afterwards there is free time to explore Rouen on your own, perhaps stopping in to a local shop to sample some of the famous Norman cheeses. Meals B,L,D

Today, you will have the choice of two different excursions. “D-Day Remembered” is a full day excursion tracing the events of June 6th 1944. We start at Pegasus Bridge where the first glider bornb troops landed hours before the invasion began. Then we drive the entire Normandy Beach landings – Gold, June & Sword beaches in the British and Canadian sectors. Lunch is the town of Arromanches where days after D-Day a giant floating harbor was situated. Those that wish can visit the D-Day Museum. In the afternoon we visit the US sector, Omaha and Utah beaches. Our final stop the cemetery at St.Laurent, famous from the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan. As an alternative you can discover traditional Normandy with a visit to the Pays d’Auge and historic Caen. The “lands of the Auge” are home to traditional Norman Towns and villages, such as Beuvron-en-Auge with timber-framed houses, cider and cheese production. Caen was the home of William the Conqueror, he was responsible for building its huge 11th century fortress, still one of the largest in Europe, and it’s within the Cathedral that his tomb lies. Meals B,L,D

This morning you have a choice of two different tours. The first option is to visit Honfleur, located on the southern bank of the Seine across from Le Havre. Known for its historic port surrounded by picturesque houses with slate-covered facades, Honfleur was a favorite subject of artists such as Courbet, Boudin and Monet. Honfleur’s 15th-cenutury Sainte-Catherine church, with its detached bell tower, is the largest wooden church in France. In the alternative, you may choose the "Route des Abbeyes" tour spotlighting Normandy's famous abbeys. An important part of the region’s history, more than 100 abbeys once dotted the Norman landscape. You will visit the ruins of the Norman abbey of Jumieges and the imposing Benedictine abbey of St. Wandrille, still a functioning monastery. This afternoon, enjoy scenic cruising on the Seine. Meals B,L,D

Enjoy a scenic cruise to Les Andelys, comprised of two sections, Grand-Andely and Petit-Andely. Located on a bend in the Seine surrounded by white cliffs, Les Andelys is the birthplace of the classical painter Nicolas Poussin. A stroll on the riverside offers beautiful views of the Seine Valley, centuries-old half-timbered houses and the ruins of Chateau-Gaillard perched above the town. The once-massive stronghold of Richard the Lionheart was completed in 1198, and consisted of three different enclosures divided by dry moats. Captured by the French in 1204, it changed hands a number of times during the Hundred Years War, coming permanently under French control in the 15th century. You will tour the ruins of this historic castle before continuing your cruise along the Seine. Meals B,L,D

Today, you will have your choice of two excursions. The first option is to visit Chateau Malmaison, home to Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and his Empress Josephine. After Napoleon and Josephine’s divorce in 1809, she continued to live there until her death in 1814. Today’s tour will include the charming chateau, gardens and museum. Alternatively, travel to the town of Auvers-sur-Oise. The town is famous for the number of Impressionist painters who lived there in the 19th century. Among them: Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro and Vincent van Gogh. Your “Artists Walk” tour will include many sites associated with their works, including the house of Dr. Gachet, a famous subject of Van Gogh and the Auberge Ravoux, known as the “Home of Van Gogh.” The upstairs room, where Van Gogh died has been preserved. He and his brother Theo are both buried in the town cemetery nearby. Meals B,L,D

After disembarkation this morning, you will tour one of Paris’ most spectacular museums: the Musee D’Orsay, Located on the Seine’s Left Bank, the museum was built in the former Gare (railway station) d'Orsay, and houses an extensive collection of French art dating from 1848 to 1915. Its collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces is the largest in the world; and includes iconic works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and Van Gogh. Among the paintings on display are many that will seem familiar from your cruise, such as Monet’s series on the Rouen Cathedral and his Blue Water Lillies, and Van Gogh’s The Church at Auvers, Portrait of Dr. Gachet and Bedroom in Arles. After touring the museum, you will transfer to your hotel. Meals B

Today is yours to enjoy as a free day in Paris, where a multitude of landmarks, museums, cafes and shops beckon. Meals B

Your river cruise vacation comes to an end as you transfer to the airport for your homeward flight. Meals B