Day 1: Depart home gateway city to Paris
Day 2: Paris (embark)
Arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport where you'll be transferred to the ship. (D)
Day 3: Les Andelys, Rouen
Les 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 Château Gaillard. (BB, L, Captain's Welcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Walk to Château Gaillard
Day 4: Rouen (Normandy Beaches)
Because of Normandy's proximity to the sea, it has been the site of many conflicts and battles, including the famous D-Day Invasion by the Allied forces during WWII. Before visiting the beaches of Normandy, you'll be taken to Bayeux, where you can appreciate the Medieval depiction of the Battle of Hastings on a tapestry dating from the 11th century. Afterward, you will visit places that are haunting reminders of the Allies' hard fight for freedom-the American Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer, the Allied landing sites at Omaha Beach, and Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches. (BB, D)
Featured Excursion: Full-day Normandy Beaches and visit to Bayeux Tapestry Museum
Day 5: Rouen
Our visit to Rouen will take you to the stunning Gothic cathedral; the haunting Medieval quarter with its half-timbered, slate-tile roofs; 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. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Walking tour of Rouen
Day 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. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Visit to Honfleur
Day 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). (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner) Note: Giverny will be closed during early March and November departures. A visit to Versailles Palace will be substituted instead.
Featured Excursion: Monet's Giverny
Day 8: Paris
You'll begin your city tour with a drive up the grand boulevard Champs-Élysèes and past the Arc de Triomphe. You'll stop for a photo opportunity at the Eiffel Tower before continuing to Place Vendôme, Hôtel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Latin Quarter. Then it's on to Les Invalides, the Louvre courtyard, and the Luxembourg Gardens, where you 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. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Paris city tour
Day 9: Paris (disembark), transfer to Chalon sur Saône (embark)
Day 10: Chalon-sur-Saône (Beaune)
Centered in the heart of Burgundy, Chalon-sur-Saône is an important center for France's wine trade. From here, you 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 to this day, the tradition still continues. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Beaune and Hospices de Beaune, open-air food market visit
Day 11: Lyon
Lyon, France's second largest city after Paris, is the country's lively and creative capital of gastronomy. Your tour starts with a drive to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, Lyon's hallmark church, for a dramatic view of the town built at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. From the bus, you'll view Terreaux Square, the Musèe des Beaux-Arts, and the Opera House. During the afternoon, you'll have leisure time to explore this city on your own. (BB, L, Captain's Farewell Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Lyon city tour
Day 12: Tournon, Tain L'Hermitage, Viviers
Nestled among famous vineyards, the twin cities of Tournon/Tain l'Hermitage provide the perfect setting for those who are true connoisseurs of wine. Celebrate the region by indulging in some Côtes du Rhône mid-valley wines. Then cross the Marc Seguin suspension bridge and visit Tournon and its historic castle. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Winetasting and Tournon walking tour
Day 13: Viviers, Avignon
Lovely Viviers, developed around its Romanesque cathedral, has retained much of its historic charm. Your tour in Viviers starts in Old Town with an introduction to the city. You'll take the Rue Chèvrerie to Porte Riquot, then climb Rue du Château to reach St. Vincent Cathedral where you'll enjoy an organ concert. Finally, you'll walk through the Medieval streets of this delightful town on your way back to the ship. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Viviers walking tour
Day 14: Avignon
Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is full of history, culture, art, and life, and you'll capture all of that on your walking tour of the “City of the Popes.” Your tour starts at the fortification walls and continues to Clocktower Square. In truly Provençal style, under the shadows of the sycamores, the colorful cafè terraces face the magnificent architecture of the City Hall, the Opera Theatre, and the classic mansions. 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. During the afternoon, you'll have leisure time to enjoy this magical city. (BB, L, D)
Featured Excursion: Avignon walking tour and Palace of the Popes
Day 15: Arles
Vincent van Gogh found inspiration in the charming town of Arles, andyou will too. Inspired by the unique Provençal light, he spent a periodof intense and impassioned work under the bright sunny sky of Provence.In fact, he produced more than 300 paintings and drawings in 15 months,including Starry Night. During your walking tour, discover Van Gogh'sArles as well as a fascinating wealth of Romanesque monuments, such asthe Roman Amphitheater and Constantine's Roman baths. (BB, L, Captain'sWelcome Dinner)
Featured Excursion: Arles walking tour
Day 16: Arles (disembark), transfer to Marseille Airport
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