Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Paris
You'll arrive in Paris and get transferred from the airport to your ship, which is docked right in the city center near the Eiffel Tower. After settling in, you have the choice to explore Paris on your own or join a welcome walk to get your bearings. Dinner happens on board this evening.
- Meals
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Welcome walk to explore and get oriented in Paris
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower - Day 2
Paris
Following breakfast, you'll join a guided tour covering the Eiffel Tower, Military Museum, Orsay Museum, Latin Quarter, and Notre Dame Cathedral. The route also takes you past the Louvre, Opera House, and Champs-Élysées. In the afternoon, you can either head up to Montmartre Hill and Sacré-Cœur on your own or join a food tour focused on French cuisine. Back on the ship for dinner, and then your Seine cruise kicks off this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Paris including Eiffel Tower, École Militaire (Military Museum), Orsay Museum, Latin Quarter, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Opera House, and Champs-Élysées
Optional Activities
- Optional tour of Montmartre Hill and Sacré-Cœur
- Optional French cuisine food tour
Landmarks/POIs Eiffel Tower École Militaire (Military Museum) Musée d'Orsay Latin Quarter Notre-Dame Cathedral Louvre Opera House Champs-Élysées Montmartre Hill Sacré-Cœur - Day 3
Giverny
You'll dock in La Roche-Guyon, one of France's more beautiful villages, and have the morning to wander through narrow streets with half-timbered houses at your own pace. After lunch, a guided tour takes you to Giverny where you'll see Claude Monet's gardens and farmhouse, including the famous Japanese bridge and water lily pond that inspired so much of his work. Dinner is back on the ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour to Giverny including Claude Monet's gardens and farmhouse with Japanese bridge and water lily garden
Optional Activities
- Leisurely exploration of La Roche-Guyon village
Landmarks/POIs La Roche-Guyon Monet's Garden at Giverny Auvers-sur-Oise - Day 4
Rouen
The morning brings leisurely cruising along the Seine. Later, you'll arrive in the medieval city of Rouen for a walking tour through Old Town. You'll see the impressive Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, the ornate 16th-century Gros Horloge astronomical clock, half-timbered buildings, the 14th-century courthouse tied to Joan of Arc's sentencing, and the market square where she was martyred. Free time lets you explore further or check out museums. You can either dine on the ship or grab a meal at a sidewalk café.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rouen's Old Town including Notre Dame Cathedral, Gros Horloge, and historical sites related to Joan of Arc
Optional Activities
- Visit to Rouen's art or antiquities museums
- Dining at a sidewalk café instead of on board
Landmarks/POIs Notre-Dame de Rouen Cathedral Gros Horloge Joan of Arc Courthouse Market Square (Rouen) - Day 5
Normandy D-Day Beaches
After breakfast, you'll head out on a full-day Normandy tour visiting D-Day beaches and historic sites. The itinerary passes Gold Beach, Courseulles sur Mer, and Juno Beach before stopping at Omaha Beach, the American Military Cemetery, and Arromanches Debarkation D-Day Museum. If you prefer, there's an alternative tour to Bayeux to see the famous tapestry, then on to Juno Beach for free time and the Pegasus Museum. You'll return to the ship for dinner or take an evening walk through Rouen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Full-day tour to historic Normandy beaches including Gold Beach, Courseulles sur Mer, Juno Beach, Omaha Beach, American Military Cemetery, and Arromanches Debarkment D-Day Museum
Optional Activities
- Alternative tour of Bayeux to see the famous tapestry
- Free time at Juno Beach
- Visit to Pegasus Museum
- Evening stroll through Rouen
Landmarks/POIs Gold Beach Courseulles sur Mer Juno Beach Omaha Beach American Military Cemetery Arromanches Debarkment D-Day Museum Bayeux Bayeux Tapestry Pegasus Museum - Day 6
Les Andelys
This morning you'll arrive in Les Andelys and join a guided walk to the imposing Château Gaillard, built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart. After exploring this medieval structure, you'll head back to the ship. The afternoon brings scenic sailing as you cruise toward Paris.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walk to Château Gaillard
Landmarks/POIs Château Gaillard - Day 7
Paris
After breakfast, you'll disembark to visit Château de Malmaison, where Napoleon spent his final days in France. This elegant manor, purchased by Josephine in 1799, functioned as Napoleon's seat of government from 1800 to 1802. The afternoon offers an optional tour of the Palace of Versailles. This evening brings a panoramic drive and cruise through illuminated Paris sights, and your ship stays docked in Paris overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Château de Malmaison
- Panoramic drive and cruise of illuminated Paris sights
Optional Activities
- Optional tour of Palace of Versailles
Landmarks/POIs Château de Malmaison Palace of Versailles - Day 8
Paris to Lyon
After breakfast, you'll disembark and take a leisurely train ride from Paris through the east central French countryside to Lyon. Once there, you'll board your second ship where a welcome dinner is served.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Welcome Dinner)
Included Activities
- Leisurely train ride from Paris through east central France countryside to Lyon
Landmarks/POIs Lyon - Day 9
Lyon
Following breakfast, you'll tour Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The day starts with a drive up Fourvière Hill for city views. Then comes a guided visit to the Basilica of Notre Dame, followed by driving past St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. You'll walk through the cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Town). Free time allows you to shop for souvenirs or sample the fine French cooking Lyon is known for.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Lyon including drive to Fourvière Hill, Basilica of Notre Dame, St. Jean Cathedral, Palace of Justice, and walking tour of Vieux Lyon (Old Town)
Optional Activities
- Shopping for souvenirs
- Dining at local restaurants for French cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Fourvière Hill Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière St. Jean Cathedral Palace of Justice Vieux Lyon (Old Town) - Day 10
Beaujolais Wine Region
After breakfast, you'll take a scenic drive through rolling hills of Beaujolais wine country. You'll do a tasting at one of the region's famous cellars. Back on the ship for lunch, and then the rest of your day is yours to do as you please. Your Program Director can help you figure out how to spend your free time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive through Beaujolais wine region
- Wine tasting at one of Beaujolais's famous cellars
Optional Activities
- Leisure time at ship or exploring the region
Landmarks/POIs Beaujolais Wine Region - Day 11
Tournon
This morning brings a walking tour of Vienne, a town with deep Roman roots. You'll visit the Temple of Augustus and Livia, the Roman amphitheater, and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice. Later, you'll explore the riverside town on your own. The afternoon takes you sailing through vine-covered banks of the Rhône River to Tournon. After dinner, take an evening stroll along the riverbanks under plane trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Vienne including Temple of Augustus and Livia, Roman amphitheater, and Cathedral of St. Maurice
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Vienne
- Evening stroll along riverbanks under the plane trees
Landmarks/POIs Temple of Augustus and Livia Roman Amphitheater (Vienne) Cathedral of St. Maurice - Day 12
Viviers
This morning you'll board the Train de l'Ardèche for a scenic locomotive ride through deep gorges of the Ardèche plateau carved out by the Doux River. Back on the ship for lunch as you cruise to Viviers, a charming town set in a mountainous area. Following dinner, you'll take an evening stroll through Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Train de l'Ardèche locomotive ride through the gorges of the Ardèche plateau and Doux River
- Evening stroll through Viviers Old Town
Landmarks/POIs Ardèche Gorges Doux River Viviers - Day 13
Arles
After breakfast, you'll disembark for a walking tour of Arles exploring its varied architectural styles. You'll see the city's vibrant colors and quality of light that drew so many artists. The tour includes Roman ruins like Les Arènes, a 20,000-seat arena still used today, and Romanesque structures like the Church of Saint-Trophime finished in the 15th century. You'll return on board for lunch, then the afternoon is free to explore or shop for handcrafted items. Dinner is served as the ship departs.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Arles including Les Arènes (Roman arena) and Church of Saint-Trôphime
Optional Activities
- Independent exploration of Arles
- Shopping for handcrafted gifts
Landmarks/POIs Les Arènes Church of Saint-Trôphime - Day 14
Avignon
This morning you'll join a guided walk through Avignon, called the 'City of Popes' since it housed seven popes from 1309 to 1377. You'll stroll through the historic center, pass by the picturesque Pont d'Avignon, and cross the Place de l'Horloge. The tour continues to the Palace of the Popes where you'll see this Gothic structure that functioned as papal residence, fortress, church, and palace. There's an option to tour Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards and taste the famous wine. Lunch and dinner are served on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walk of Avignon including historic center, Pont d'Avignon, Place de l'Horloge
- Guided tour of Palace of the Popes
Optional Activities
- Optional tour of Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards and wine tasting
Landmarks/POIs Pont d'Avignon Place de l'Horloge Palace of the Popes Châteauneuf-du-Pape - Day 15
Departure from Marseille
After breakfast, you'll disembark and head to Marseille airport for your return flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
