Paris, Normandy & Seine River Cruise

Your English speaking professional guide will meet you at your hotel for a tour of the local's Paris. As well as showing you the highlights of Paris (the city is very accessible on foot) your guide will tell you the history of the city and show you the city from a local's point of view.

NB: If you have a specific area of Paris you would be interested to explore let us know and we can request a specialist guide, along with adding a Metro Pass where necessary.

The Moulin Rouge is a cabaret built in 1889, close to the Montmartre in the Paris red-light district of Pigalle. It is marked by the red windmill on its roof, and is best known as the spiritual birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Enjoy your show tonight admist the lavish costumes.

Welcome aboard!
Take some time to get settled into your cabin, as well as explore the length of the ship.

Your welcome dinner this evening will provide an ideal opportunity to meet some of your fellow cruisemates.

Port charges are included in your multi-day itinerary.

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 there 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.

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.

Today, you will have the choice of two different excursions. The first option,“D-Day Remembered” is a full day excursion tracing the events of June 6th 1944. You start at Pegasus Bridge where the first glider bornb troops landed hours before the invasion began. Then 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 (admission charges may apply). In the afternoon you visit the US sector, Omaha and Utah beaches. The 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 "Abbaye aux Hommes", still one of the largest in Europe, and it’s within the Cathedral that his tomb lies.

In the afternoon today, tour Honfleur, known for its beautiful and historic port, the favorite subject matter of renowned artists including Courbet, Boudin and Monet. In the alternative, take the "Route des Abbeyes" tour of the Norman abbey of Jumieges and the imposing Benedictine abbey of St. Wandrille.

Enjoy a scenic cruise to the village of Les Andelys, site of Chateau Gaillard, built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart. Tour the ruins of this former stronghold of the Middle Ages before continuing your cruise along the Seine.

Today, you will have your choice of two excursions. The first option is to visit Chateau Malmaison, a small castle purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799, who lived there until her death in 1814. The castle also became the headquarters of the French government, along with the Tuileries, from 1800 to 1802. Today’s tour will include the charming chateau, gardens and museum.

In the alternative, travel to the town of Auvers-sur-Oise, famous for many 19th century painters who lived there, among them: Paul Cézanne, Charles-François Daubigny, Camille Pissarro, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and, Vincent van Gogh. An “Artists Walk” will include sites associated with the artists’ works, including the house of Daubigny, now a museum, and the house of Dr. Gachet, a famous subject of Van Gogh. The tour will also visit the Auberge Ravoux, known as the “Home of Van Gogh.”

This morning you'll disembark from your ship and bid farewell to your fellow cruisemates.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.