Itinerary
- Day 1
Paris
You'll land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport where a Uniworld representative meets you. From there, you'll get transferred to your ship, whether that's included in your package or you've arranged a private transfer on your own.
- Day 2
Giverny
Northern France's countryside is the focus today. You can either take a scenic hike or head to Château de La Roche-Guyon, which sits on a hilltop with beautiful gardens overlooking the Seine. After that, you'll get to Monet's Gardens at Giverny, traveling there by bike through the French countryside or by coach, depending on what appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Château de La Roche-Guyon visit with gardens
- Let's Go: Hike on the Crests Trail
- Monet's Gardens at Giverny visit
- Let's Go: Bike Ride from Vernon to Giverny
Landmarks Château de La Roche-Guyon Monet's Gardens at Giverny - Day 3
Rouen
Rouen's medieval quarter has survived remarkably intact, and you'll walk through it this morning. The cathedral that inspired Monet's paintings is here, along with the historical site where Joan of Arc was martyred. Later there's a private concert at the cathedral itself, and you can either join a walking tour about the Dukes of Normandy or visit a local Camembert cheese farm instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nights Out: Private Concert at the Rouen Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Rouen Walking Tour, the Dukes of Normandy's Capital
- Camembert Cheese Farm visit
Landmarks Rouen Cathedral 
- Day 4
Caudebec-en-Caux
You're based in Caudebec-en-Caux, a small riverside town. From here you can choose to drive through the beautiful Calvados countryside and reach Honfleur, a charming seaside harbor known for its painters, or you can head out to the dramatic cliffs at Étretat if golf interests you.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Honfleur Walking Tour
- Let's Go: Golfing in Étretat
Landmarks Honfleur Étretat - Day 5
Normandy
This is a full-day outing to Normandy's beaches with real historical weight. You'll choose between visiting the American, British and Commonwealth, or Canadian beaches, each with its own story from World War II. After your visit, you'll participate in a private memorial ceremony honoring Operation Overlord.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Normandy Beaches: Highlights of American Sites
- Normandy Beaches: Highlights of British & Commonwealth Sites
- Normandy Beaches: Highlights of Canadian Sites
- Day 6
Paris
The Palace of Versailles opens up its private rooms for you today. This exclusive guided tour takes you through the secret apartments where France's rulers actually lived, showing how power and luxury looked over the centuries under the Sun King and beyond.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Versailles Palace Secret Apartments
Landmarks Palace of Versailles - Day 7
Paris
Paris itself is yours to explore today with options that work for different interests. You can take a panoramic tour of the City of Light or join a local expert for a walking tour through neighborhoods like the Latin Quarter and other favorite areas throughout the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Paris City Tour
- Paris Walking Tour of the Latin Quarter
- Day 8
Paris to Lyon
You'll transfer from the S.S. Joie de Vivre to the S.S. Catherine using the high-speed TGV train. Once you settle into your new accommodations, you'll have time to explore Lyon, which sits along the Saône River. The city has plenty to discover on this first evening there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9
Lyon
Lyon shows its contrasts today, from Roman history to modern architecture with Renaissance influences mixed in. You can bike through the city's paths and find the silk weavers' secret passageways, or if you prefer, grab lunch on your own at one of the many traditional bouchons restaurants scattered around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Lyon Panoramic Tour with Traboules Visit
- Silk Weavers Walking Tour
- Let's Go: Lyon Peninsula Bike Tour
- Day 10
Beaune
You'll travel to Beaune, which serves as the heart of Burgundy's wine trade. The included excursion takes you through the region's rolling vineyards and to the remarkable Hospices de Beaune, a medieval structure that speaks to the town's long history and importance in wine production.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Burgundy Landscapes, Beaune, and the Hospices
Landmarks Hospices de Beaune 
- Day 11
Tain-l'Hermitage
Tournon and Tain-l'Hermitage are twin wine villages you'll explore today. Tournon has a 10th-century hilltop castle that was reinforced in the 16th century, and walking down the Rue de Doux shows you handsome homes of wealthy merchants alongside a 14th-century church and France's oldest secondary school. Later you can either join a wine-tasting walk or hike through the Hermitage terraced vineyards.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Tournon and Tain-l'Hermitage Twin Villages Stroll with Wine Tasting
- Let's Go: Hermitage Terrace Vineyards Hike with Wine Tasting
Landmarks Tournon Castle - Day 12
Viviers
Viviers is a village where centuries feel recent, with history going back over 1,600 years. The architectural heritage runs throughout the town, which is split into two distinct parts. The upper section is where clergy lived, while the lower part along the riverbank housed the regular people. You'll start exploring at the town crest and work your way through both areas.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Village Day: Ardèches
Landmarks Viviers 
- Day 13
Avignon
Avignon's walled city has layers of history worth your time. The Palace of the Popes dominates the landscape, a fortress home to popes who broke from Rome and ruled from here instead. You can choose a walking tour of both the palace and historic city, visit the 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, or take a bike ride out to the Chartreuse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Avignon Walking Tour with Palace of the Popes
- Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct Visit
- Let's Go: Biking to the Chartreuse
Landmarks Palace of the Popes Pont du Gard 
- Day 14
Arles
Arles sits in Provence with significant Roman ruins and an artistic heritage that drew Van Gogh so strongly he painted around 200 works here. The city started as a Greek settlement in the sixth century BC before Romans arrived and built their first bridge across the Rhône River, creating a major trade route between Italy and Spain.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Arles Walking Tour
Landmarks Arles Roman Theatre 
- Day 15
Marseille
You'll disembark from the S.S. Catherine today and get transferred to Marseille Airport for your flight home, whether that transfer is included with your package or you've arranged it separately.
