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Let France romance you with its culture, cuisine, and history on this dazzling new river cruise that showcases the absolute best of Paris and Normandy. You’ll fall in love with the City of Lights with a whopping five nights here — three nights at the beginning and two nights at the end of your cruise — with plenty of leisure time to enjoy Paris as you wish. Spend 5 nights cruising aboard a Deluxe Seine river ship and discover Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny, Normandy’s dramatic D-Day Beaches, and Rouen’s gothic magic.
You’ll be spoiled along the way with culinary delights at every turn, including special lunches, a wine-paired dinner at the elegant La Ciel de Paris — a panoramic restaurant situated atop the Montparnasse Tower — and a wine tasting and talk with a local sommelier. Plus, chocolate and macaron samplings, a cooking class, and a lesson in French drinking culture! In all, 26 included features and Cultural Connections will bring you inside French culture with lectures and a series of scintillating onboard performances and movie nights that contextualize the discoveries and destinations on your cruise. Don’t miss this marvelous journey down the Seine!
Discover the elegant village of Chantilly, named for one of the grandest of French châteaux, and spend a day exploring the heart of the Champagne region. During your excursion to the rolling vineyards where Champagne originated, you’ll visit an estate where the legendary sparkling wine is produced and stored in cool limestone caverns beneath acres of vineyards. You’ll also tour Reims, home of the imposing cathedral where French monarchs once received their crowns. Warm up your taste buds before joining your base tour, thanks to added features like an included Welcome Dinner and Champagne tasting.
Depart home and fly overnight to Paris, France (or depart earlier on an optional extension)
Depart home tonight bound for Paris. Or, leave earlier and enjoy our pre-trip extension in Chantilly & the Champagne Region.
Welcome to Paris! Enjoy a Welcome Dinner in the City of Lights
Following your overnight flight, you'll arrive today in Paris. If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, you’ll be met at the airport by a representative who will assist with your transfer to the hotel. Get settled in and, tonight, join your fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner in Paris!
Included meals:
Discover the iconic landmarks of Paris
Is there anything better than waking up in Paris? Likely not, but today’s explorations will certainly rank high on your list! On a morning panoramic tour, you’ll discover the highlights of this vibrant cultural capital, including the iconic Eiffel Tower alongside its sprawling Champ de Mars and the UNESCO-listed Banks of the Seine. During your tour, you’ll have the opportunity to learn a few key words and phrases with a French language lesson.
Lunch is on your own with money provided, so you can dive right into the fabulous French cuisine at your fingertips. After, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to shop or stroll — there’s no shortage of beauty in this city, where a stunning monument awaits on almost every corner. But don’t worry about trying to accomplish it all — we’ll be back in Paris at the end of this journey!
Dinner is at your leisure tonight — if you’re looking for same-day recommendations, see your Cruise Director or Concierge. You might also check in with our Concierge ahead of time to secure your spot at one of Paris’ many esteemed restaurants.
Included Feature:
Cultural Connection:
Fall in love with the Louvre
No one comes to Paris without visiting the Louvre. This morning, you’ll delve into the museum’s collection, viewing works by masters like Botticelli, Rembrandt, and, of course, da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. After, enjoy lunch on your own at one of the city’s myriad brasseries. We’ve set aside the afternoon for you to discover more of Paris at your own leisure. Dinner is at the hotel tonight.
Explore Le Maris by foot, cruise the Seine on a lunchtime tour, then embark ship
Explore centuries of history and spirituality on a walking tour of fashionable Le Marais this morning. The neighborhood is home to the most intact medieval and prerevolutionary buildings in Paris, as well as galleries galore and trendy cafés — you’ll see why this neighborhood is a hotbed for the who’s-who of the city’s creative and cultural circle! You’ll also learn more about other landmarks, including the Sainte-Anne Portal, all while savoring delectable pastries. This is Paris, after all!
Afterward, enjoy a special lunch along the banks of the Seine on a sightseeing boat. Later this afternoon, you’ll embark ship and begin your cruise. Dinner is on board tonight.
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Cultural Connections:
Discover Les Andelys and Rouen with your choice of tours, then dine like Julia Child at La Couronne
Start off your day with an introduction to French cuisine and drinking culture, followed by an early lunch on board. Your ship arrives in Les Andelys just after lunch, and you’ll have your choice of tours: An active walking tour of Les Andelys and a walking tour of Rouen. Or, opt for a walking tour of Rouen with free time to explore the city afterward. Whichever you choose, you’ll wind up in Rouen for a very special dinner at La Couronne, the oldest auberge (inn) in France and site of the meal that inspired Child’s culinary adventures. It’s here where Child had what she called “the most exciting meal of her life.” See what she means tonight, then head back to the ship for evening entertainment from a local crooner.
Explore Normandy or Honfleur with your choice of tours
You'll get to pursue your interests in France today when you choose between two equally fascinating tours. If you’re a history buff, some of the most dramatic moments of the 20th century will be today’s focus, as we set out for a full-day tour of the beaches where Allied troops landed on D-Day back on June 6, 1944. We'll drive to the coastal village of Colleville-sur-Mer and the Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial, the burial site of nearly 10,000 soldiers. Take part in a solemn ceremony — exclusive to your Vantage group — among the rows of white gravestones in remembrance of American lives lost. Afterwards, you'll head to a local restaurant to enjoy le gouter, a traditional French snack. Following lunch, you'll visit the coastal promontory of Pointe du Hoc, site of a German battery that was destroyed by U.S. Rangers who scaled the sea cliff in a daring attack. Finally, continue to Omaha Beach, where the U.S. Army infantry prevailed in the face of fierce resistance, before heading back to the ship in Honfleur.
Alternatively, remain on board for a relaxing morning as we sail to Honfleur. After enjoying lunch at a venue of your choice (and with lunch money provided), set off on a guided walking tour of this picturesque town — birthplace of the early Impressionist painter Eugene Boudin and a favorite of Monet, Courbet, and other artists, who maintained studios near the harbor. One of the beauties of the Normandy region is undoubtedly the seafood, and you’ll get a sampling during a delightful oyster tasting session! Normandy is responsible for 25% of all oyster production in France, but the region is also renowned for its cheese and wines, too. After, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to wander Honfleur on your own before returning to your ship.
Embark on a “Taste of Normandy” tour, or learn to cook like the French
Enjoy a leisurely morning on board today, with a sampling of Calvados apple brandy and local cheeses and an informative lecture about World War II and the Normandy Landing, followed by an early lunch. This afternoon, you’ll have a choice of tours: Set off on a “Taste of Normandy” tour to the Fécamp Benedictine monastery and see how the famous Benedictine liqueur, with its traditional blend of 27 spices and herbs, is produced. A scenic drive will then bring us to Étretat, an iconic site on France’s Normandy coastline. You can speak to your Cruise Director about signing up in advance for a fun cooking class at a local school, where you can experience more of France's amazing culinary heritage. Tonight, attend our movie night featuring The Longest Day, a 1962 war epic depicting the events of D-Day.
Taste your way through France with confections, lectures, and wine tastings
While your ship cruises to Paris this morning, we invite you to deepen your understanding of Parisian food culture with a day of gourmet surprises, beginning with a macaron and chocolate sampling. After lunch, a local sommelier joins us on board for a special afternoon lecture on France’s wine regions with an included wine tasting. After dinner, more fun awaits with a flamboyant cancan performance!
Disembark ship and venture into Monet’s life in Vernon and Giverny
This morning you’ll disembark your ship back in Paris and transfer to Giverny, where a walking tour will introduce you to French provincialism at its finest. Today’s guided tour leads you to Monet’s house and gardens, and you’ll also admire Giverny’s centuries-old, half-timbered homes, and the imposing Gothic cathedral — a centerpiece of local life that Monet painted six times.
Upon returning to Paris, you’ll have some free time to enjoy lunch on your own before we transfer to your hotel. After checking in, enjoy the afternoon at leisure — perhaps you’ll stroll along the Avenue des Champs-Élysées to admire the Arc de Triomphe. Dinner awaits at your hotel this evening.
Explore Paris as you like it
Say oui to Paris once more, as we wake up with a full day to enjoy the city. As you explore independently, you’ll find that there’s a Paris for everyone, whether you’re into haute couture shopping, poking around in flea markets, exploring the Latin Quarter, visiting museums, seeking out artistic treasures, or visiting some of the world’s most recognizable monuments — from the elegant ironwork of the Eiffel Tower to the “inside-out” architecture of the Centre Pompidou. And, of course, the food — whether it’s a pastry and a coffee in a street side café or asking your Concierge to reserve a table at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Enjoy local vintages tonight at a wine-paired Farewell Dinner at the elegant La Ciel de Paris, the highest panoramic restaurant in Paris, situated atop the Montparnasse Tower.
Fly home, or head to Versailles for an optional post-trip extension
Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Or, begin your optional post-trip extension in Versailles!
Go back in time to discover some of the crowning achievements of French civilization, including the Palace of Versailles and Gardens. On this special extension, you’ll stay just outside Paris in the charming village of Versailles, in a lovely hotel that’s steps away from the spectacular royal château and its acres of perfectly manicured gardens. In addition, round out your journey with plenty of opportunities for cultural and culinary immersion during your free time.
Important Notice: The above day-by-day itinerary is preliminary and subject to change. If changes occur while on tour, you will be notified by your Cruise Director or regional expert. In addition, should there be an extreme change in water levels, Vantage will do everything possible to provide either the included excursion or an alternate excursion at Vantage’s discretion.
Please Note: Port times & itineraries are subject to change. Fluctuating water levels may affect itinerary.
