From the bridges of Paris to the beaches of Normandy and to the sunny Mediterranean landscapes, you�ll experience all of France in a manner of unsurpassed style and comfort. Sail north and explore world-famous Paris. Visit the charming towns and villages that were so inspirational to the Impressionist artists. Walk the beaches of Normandy where the Allied forces landed during WWII�s D-Day Invasion, and visit the site where Joan of Arc was martyred. As you sail south from Chalon, you�ll visit Lyon, center of Gallo-Roman history and culinary capital of France; the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arles, immortalized by Van Gogh�s paintings; the well-preserved medieval city of Avignon, with its spectacular Palace of the Popes; and so much more.
Day 1:
Depart home gateway city to ParisDay 2:
ParisArrive at Paris� Charles de Gaulle Airport where you�ll be transferred to the ship.
Day 3:
Les AndelysLes Andelys was of considerable strategic importance during the Middle Ages, prompting King Richard the Lionheart to build a fortified castle to protect the Duchy of Normandy from the French King Philip II in the 12th century. Walk to the English king�s stronghold and admire the remains of the impressive Ch�teau Gaillard.andnbsp;
Featured Excursion: Walk to Ch�teau GaillardDay 4:
RouenOur visit to Rouen will take you to the stunning gothic cathedral of Rouen, the haunting medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed tile houses; and the Gros Horloge, a Renaissance clock tower that arches overhead. The walk ends at Vieux Marche, where Joan of Arc was punished for her defiance.
Featured Excursion: Walking tour of RouenDay 5:
Rouen (Normandy Beaches)Spend the day where one of the most famous events in recent world history took place�the beaches of Normandy, site of the D-Day Invasion by the Allied forces during WWII. Visit the American Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer, the Allied landing sites at Omaha Beach, Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches, and the battlefield of Pointe du Hoc, which are all haunting reminders of the Allies� hard fight for freedom.
Featured Excursion: Full-day Normandy beach tourDay 6:
Caudebec (Honfleur)After crossing the majestic Normandy Bridge spanning the river delta, travel overland to Honfleur, a charming French harbor town recreated in numerous paintings by such artists as Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet. You�ll be taken on a guided walking tour from the former smuggler�s harbor of Vieux Bassin�the most frequently painted scene in Honfleur, where the fishing village backdrop is seemingly unchanged from over 500 years ago�through the pedestrian streets to St. Catherine�s Church.
Featured Excursion: Visit to HonfleurDay 7:
Vernon (Giverny)Visit Monet�s home in his beloved village of Giverny, where he lived for 43 years, until his death in 1926. You�ll explore Monet�s house, furnished as it was when the leader of the Impressionist school lived here, including his precious collection of Japanese engravings. Strolling the gardens, you�ll see the familiar Japanese bridge and water garden shaded by the weeping willows that so inspired this master�s work. Watch the light play on the pond which is covered with the water lilies reproduced in Monet�s numerous enchanting versions of The Nympheas (The Water Lilies).
Featured Excursion: Monet�s GivernyDay 8:
ParisWe begin our city tour with a drive up the grand boulevard Champs Elys�es and past the Arc de Triomphe. We�ll stop for a photo opportunity at the Eiffel Tower before continuing to Place Vend�me, H�tel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Latin Quarter. Then it�s on to Les Invalides, the Louvre courtyard and the Luxembourg Gardens, where we will see a slice of daily Parisian life�gentleman playing boules and children sailing boats on the glassy pond�as well as view Bartholdi�s model for the Statue of Liberty.
Featured Excursion: Paris city tourDay 9:
Paris (disembark), transfer to Chalon-sur-Sa�ne (embark)Day 10:
Chalon-sur-Sa�ne (Beaune)Centered in the heart of Burgundy, Chalon is an important center for France�s wine trade. From here, we will journey to nearby Beaune to visit the famous Hospices de Beaune, a charitable hospital founded by the Chancellor of Beaune in 1443. Marvel at the multicolored roofs of this architectural jewel that has become one of the symbols of Burgundy. The Hospice monks were given some vineyards in the 15th century so they could make wine to auction in order to help support charities, and today this tradition still continues.
Featured Excursion: Beaune and Hospices de Beaune, open-air food market visitDay 11:
LyonOur tour in this lively and creative capital of gastronomy starts with a drive to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvi�re, Lyon�s hallmark church, for a dramatic view of the town built at the confluence of the Rh�ne and the Sa�ne rivers. From the bus, we�ll view Terreaux Square, the Mus�e des Beaux-Arts, and the Opera House. During the afternoon, you�ll have time to explore on your own.
Featured Excursion: Lyon city tourDay 12:
Tournon/Tain l�Hermitage, LyonNestled among the famous vineyards, the twin cities of Tournon/Tain l�Hermitage provide the perfect setting for those who are true connoisseurs of chocolate and wine. Celebrate the region by indulging in some C�te du Rh�ne wines. Cross the Marc Seguin suspension bridge and visit Tournon and its historic castle. Discover the secrets of world-famous Valrhona chocolate during an informative onboard lecture and tasting arranged by the Valrhona School of Chocolate.
Featured Excursion: Wine tasting and Tournon walking tourDay 13:
Viviers, AvignonCharming Viviers, developed around its Romanesque cathedral, has retained much of its historic charm. Our tour in Viviers starts in Old Town with an introduction to the city. We�ll take the Rue Ch�vrerie to Porte Riquot, then climb Rue du Ch�teau to reach the St. Vincent Cathedral and enjoy spectacular views. Finally, we�ll walk through the medieval streets of this delightful town on our way back to the ship.
Featured Excursion: Viviers walking tourDay 14:
AvignonYour walking tour of Avignon, the �City of the Popes,� starts at the fortification walls, then continues to Clocktower Square, with its many cafes, shops, and namesake clock tower dating back to the 1300s and now part of the H�tel de Ville (City Hall). Next, it's on to Pope's Palace Square for an inside view of the maze of galleries, chambers and chapels that make up the grand Palace of the Popes.andnbsp; During the afternoon, you'll have leisure time to appreciate this city and its true artistic flair.
Featured Excursion: Avignon walking tour, Palace of the PopesDay 15:
ArlesThe name of Arles is closely connected with that of Vincent Van Gogh. Inspired by the unique Proven�al light, he spent a period of intense and impassioned work under the bright sunny sky of Provence. During your walking tour, discover Van Gogh�s Arles as well as a fascinating wealth of Romanesque monuments, such as the Roman Amphitheater and Constantine�s Roman baths.
Featured Excursion: Arles walking tourDay 16:
Arles (disembark), transfer to Marseille Airport