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Visit Northern France, home to delicious cuisine, breathtaking art, and one of the world's greatest cities: Paris. The “City of Lights”-with its iconic Eiffel Tower, famed Champs-Élysèes, and grand Notre Dame Cathedral -provides the perfect start and end to your Northern France journey.
Day 1: Depart home gateway city to Paris
Day 2: Paris
Arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport where you'll be transferred to the ship. (D)
Day 3: Les Andelys
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; thehaunting Medieval quarter with its half-timbered, slate-tile roofs; andthe Gros Horloge, a Renaissance clock tower that arches overhead. Thewalk ends at Vieux Marche, where Joan of Arc was punished for herdefiance. (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 livedfor 43 years, until his death in 1926. You'll explore Monet's house,furnished as it was when the leader of the Impressionist school livedhere, including his precious collection of Japanese engravings.Strolling the gardens, you'll see the familiar Japanese bridge andwater garden shaded by the weeping willows that so inspired thismaster's work. Watch the light play on the pond which is covered withthe 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 duringearlyMarch and November departures. A visit to Versailles Palace will besubstitutedinstead.
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: Depart Paris
Disembark the ship and transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in London.
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