Detailed Itinerary Paris & Normandy (Wine Cruise)

CRUISE YEAR

7- Night Cruise


Day 1

EMBARKATION – PARIS, FRANCE
Board the ship in Paris for your Paris & Normandy cruise. (D)

Day 2

LES ANDELYS
Uncover the history of Château Gaillard, the former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart, situated on the chalk cliffs high above the Seine, on a morning tour. Or, if you prefer a more active adventure, you can hike there from the banks of the Seine, admiring the scenic views along the way. For those who wish to explore the area on two wheels, join a guided bike tour through the charming town of Les Andelys. After your adventures, set sail along the meandering Seine for a scenic cruise. (B,L,D)

Les Andelys

Day 3

LE HAVRE
There are several different choices of excursions, both during the morning and afternoon, depending on your interests. You can choose between an excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur, renowned for its picturesque harbor, and for being an inspirational site for Impressionist painters; or enjoy a full-day excursion that includes Honfleur and the delicious Pays d’Auge region of Normandy, where apple cider, Calvados and pommeau outrank French wine. During the afternoon, be led on a guided tour of the Fécamp Monastery, with its unusual half-Gothic, half-Renaissance appearance, and later taste Bénédictine, a subtle blend of 27 plants and spices selected by the Master Herbalist. Alternatively, join a city tour or bike tour through the UNESCO-designated Le Havre. (B,L,D)

Le Havre

Day 4

LE HAVRE - CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX -NORMANDY BEACHES
Experience the Normandy region with one of three tours. For those wishing to go to the American sector of the historic Normandy Beaches, you will visit the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer and the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. If you prefer, you can tour the Gold and Juno beaches in the British and Canadian sectors, where you will visit Ranville Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge, the Canadian cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, the WWII museum in Courseulle and, finally, Arromanches. If you wish to experience a different kind of inspiration in Caudebec-en-Caux in the afternoon, the Romanesque Normandy Abbey Route will take you to one of the magnificent historic abbeys of the region. Or you can journey back in time with the interactive exhibits and vessels at the Seine Museum. (B,L,D)

Le Havre

Day 5

ROUEN
Spend the morning enjoying medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions. Join a walking tour and see the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, as well as the Medieval Quarter and Great Clock. You also have the choice of a bike tour through Rouen. In the afternoon, explore Lyons-la-Forêt, built on the site of a former fortress and featuring remarkable centuries-old architecture, or go on the “Tastes of Normandy” tour, where you’ll be treated to the delicious flavors of the region, including chocolate, macaron, Norman cheese and cider. (B,L,D)

Rouen

Day 6

VERNON
Enjoy scenic cruising around Vernon before disembarking the ship for your excursion. Enjoy scenic cruising around Vernon before disembarking the ship for your excursion. You will have a choice of three excursions, depending on your interests. Visit Claude Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny. Art lovers will immediately recognize images immortalized in Monet’s most beloved paintings—such as water lilies, Japanese bridges and graceful willow trees. Wander around his famous gardens and home where he lived for more than four decades. Or visit the regal 18th-century Château de Bizy, inspired by the opulence of Versailles. Enjoy an escorted tour of the palace and gardens and be treated to a cider tasting. If you prefer a more active adventure, go on a guided bike tour, taking in the beautiful French countryside. (B,L,D)

*PLEASE NOTE:Monet’s Gardens may be closed; therefore, an alternative tour will operate instead.

Vernon

Day 7

PARIS
Enjoy some of Paris’ most famous sights during your panoramic tour. You will be guided through the charming Latin Quarter, home to the world-famous Sorbonne University, and through the stunning 400-year-old Luxembourg Gardens, created by King Henry IV’s widow, Marie de’ Medici. Or travel to Auberge Ravoux in the heart of Auvers-sur-Oise, the last home of artist Vincent van Gogh. His spirit still lingers in his former attic rooms at the Ravoux Inn. The mere 70 days Van Gogh spent in Auvers-sur-Oise were astonishingly prolific as he painted more than 70 works here before his death. In the afternoon, take in the beautiful sites of Paris on your way to the Musee du Vin, Paris’s famous wine museum, which is located in the heart of the city not far from the Eiffel Tower. Explore the permanent collection, which contains more than 2,200 items that pay tribute to generations of winemakers, cellar masters, oenologists and coopers. Alternatively, cycle along the Seine River and travel along the hidden passages of Paris. (B,L,D)

Paris

Day 8

PARIS – DISEMBARKATION
Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)

Experience More Connections

Imagine toasting to the good life aboard an AmaWaterways river cruise
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On June 6, 1944 in the early morning hours, more than 156,000 Allied soldiers stormed the usually tranquil and serene beaches off the coast of Normandy.
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Joan of Arc, Claude Monet, Roy Lichtenstein, Victor Hugo, J.M.W. Turner, the Hundred Years’ War and structures and architecture from the Middle Ages and Renaissance times.
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