Itinerary
- Day 1
Marseille to Avignon
You'll fly into Marseille and transfer to your ship waiting in Avignon. Once you board, the town is yours to explore at your own pace, or you can join the welcome walk if you'd like someone to show you around and help you get your bearings.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Welcome walk in Avignon
Optional Activities
- Explore Avignon independently
Landmarks/POIs Avignon - Day 2
Arles
After breakfast, a guide takes you through Arles on foot, pointing out the Roman ruins and Romanesque buildings scattered throughout. The rest of the day is open for wandering the colorful streets and checking out the local art scene on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Arles with architectural highlights
- Visit to Les Arènes (Roman arena)
- Visit to Church of Saint-Trôphime
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Arles
Landmarks/POIs Les Arènes Church of Saint-Trôphime - Day 3
Avignon
You'll walk through Avignon's old center with a guide, seeing the Pont d'Avignon and Place de l'Horloge, then tour the Palace of the Popes. Afterward you have the afternoon free to explore, or head out to Chateauneuf-du-Pape if you want to taste some wines from the vineyards there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Avignon historic center
- Visit to Pont d'Avignon
- Visit to Place de l'Horloge
- Guided tour of Palace of the Popes
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards with wine tasting
- Independent afternoon exploration of Avignon
Landmarks/POIs Pont d'Avignon Place de l'Horloge Palace of the Popes - Day 4
Viviers to Tournon
A guided walk through Viviers' Old Town shows off the medieval and Renaissance structures, including the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral. By afternoon the ship sails to Tournon, so you'll have time to settle in before heading out again.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Viviers Old Town
- Visit to St. Vincent Cathedral
Landmarks/POIs St. Vincent Cathedral - Day 5
Tournon to Vienne
You board the Train de l'Ardeche for a scenic ride through the gorges carved by the Doux River across the Ardeche plateau. Back on the ship for lunch, and then you'll cruise toward Vienne. A walking tour covers the Temple of Augustus and Livia plus the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train de l'Ardèche ride through Ardèche gorges
- Walking tour of Vienne
- Visit to Temple of Augustus and Livia
- Visit to Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice
Landmarks/POIs Template of Augustus and Livia Cathedral of St. Maurice - Day 6
Lyon
After breakfast, a guide takes you through Lyon, a UNESCO site. You'll drive up Fourviere Hill for the views, visit the Basilica of Notre Dame, and wander through Vieux Lyon's cobbled streets. Later you have free time to shop and try some of the city's well-known French food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Fourvière Hill with city views
- Guided visit to Basilica of Notre Dame
- Drive past St. Jean Cathedral
- Drive past Palace of Justice
- Walking tour of Vieux Lyon (Old Town)
Optional Activities
- Shopping in Vieux Lyon
- Independent dining at local French restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Basilica St. Jean Cathedral Palace of Justice - Day 7
Beaujolais
You'll take a scenic drive through Beaujolais wine country after breakfast, rolling through hills and vineyards. One of the region's cellars opens up for a tasting, and then you head back to the ship for lunch and can relax for the rest of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Beaujolais
- Wine tasting in Beaujolais cellar
- Day 8
Lyon to Paris
After breakfast, you board a train from Lyon heading through the French countryside to Paris. On arrival, you transfer to your second ship where a welcome dinner is waiting for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome Dinner)
Included Activities
- Train ride from Lyon to Paris
- Day 9
Paris
After breakfast the tour covers Paris's main sights: Eiffel Tower, Ecole Militaire, Orsay Museum, Latin Quarter, and Notre Dame. You'll drive past the Louvre, Opera House, and Champs-Elysees. Pick either Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur or a French food tour as an option. Your Seine cruise starts this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Paris including Eiffel Tower
- Visit to École Militaire (Military Museum)
- Visit to Orsay Museum
- Visit to Latin Quarter
- Visit to Notre Dame Cathedral
- Drive past Louvre
- Drive past Opera House
- Drive along Champs-Élysées
- Seine river cruise departure
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Montmartre Hill and Sacré-Coeur
- Optional French cuisine food tour
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower École Militaire Musée d'Orsay Notre Dame Cathedral Louvre Opera House Champs-Élysées Sacré-Cœur - Day 10
La Roche-Guyon to Giverny
La Roche-Guyon is one of France's officially classified most beautiful villages, and you'll have time to walk around the streets and wood-paneled houses. After lunch you head to Giverny to see Claude Monet's gardens and farmhouse, including the Japanese bridge and water lilies.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Independent exploration of La Roche-Guyon
- Guided tour to Giverny
- Visit to Monet's gardens
- Visit to Monet's stone farmhouse
Landmarks/POIs Monet's Gardens - Day 11
Rouen
The morning is a leisurely cruise along the Seine. By afternoon you're in Rouen, Normandy's capital, and you'll walk through the Old Town to see the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral and the 16th-century Gros Horloge clock. Half-timbered buildings are everywhere, and you can learn about Joan of Arc's trial. Free time lets you explore more or hit local museums.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning cruise on Seine
- Walking tour of Rouen Old Town
- Visit to Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit to Gros Horloge
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Rouen
- Visit to local art or antiquities museums
- Dining at sidewalk cafés
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Cathedral Gros Horloge - Day 12
Normandy D-Day Beaches
After breakfast you pick between two full-day options: either the D-Day beaches (Gold, Juno, Omaha), the American Military Cemetery, and the Arromanches museum, or Bayeux to see the tapestry showing pre-Battle of Hastings events. Both include free time at Juno Beach and the Pegasus Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full-day tour choice: D-Day beaches tour OR Bayeux tour
- Visit to American Military Cemetery
- Visit to Arromanches Debarkation D-Day Museum
- Visit to Pegasus Museum
Optional Activities
- Alternative: Tour of Bayeux with Bayeux Tapestry viewing
- Free time at Juno Beach
- Evening stroll through Rouen
Landmarks/POIs Omaha Beach Gold Beach Juno Beach American Military Cemetery Arromanches Debarkation D-Day Museum Pegasus Museum - Day 13
Les Andelys to Paris
You arrive in Les Andelys and take a guided walk to Chateau Gaillard, the medieval fortress Richard the Lionheart built in 1196. After returning to the ship, you'll sail with nice views heading back toward Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walk to Château Gaillard
Landmarks/POIs Château Gaillard - Day 14
Paris
After breakfast, you visit Chateau de Malmaison where Napoleon spent his final days in France before exile. The elegant manor house was his government seat. Later you can optionally tour the Palace of Versailles. This evening there's a panoramic drive and Seine cruise showing off Paris lit up at night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Château de Malmaison
- Panoramic drive of illuminated Paris
- Evening Seine cruise
Optional Activities
- Optional tour to Palace of Versailles
Landmarks/POIs Château de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 15
Paris to Marseille
After breakfast you disembark and head to the airport for your flight home. If you'd rather stay longer, there's an option to add a 3-night extension in Paris instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Optional 3-night Paris extension
