Paris and Normandy
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ABTA & ATOL protected holidays
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From the Palace of Versailles to Omaha Beach, Northern France is a trove of historical and cultural treasures. Look past the obvious, though, and you’ll find that Normandy is a region with a unique identity. Populated with sweeping grasslands and beautiful medieval towns, you’ll find yourself falling in love with its simple pleasures. This tour will bring you the best of Normandy, including Chateau Gaillard, Rouen and Monet’s beloved home, before heading to Paris to indulge in the capital’s lustrous attractions. This is a travel experience built on flexibility, so you’ll see the City of Light in whichever way suits you best. Whether you’re a history buff, culture vulture or a secret romantic, it has absolutely everything to offer.
Itinerary
DAY 1 Paris (Embark)
Arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.
DAY 2 La Roche-Guyon, Vernon, Giverny
Today is a celebration of northern France’s natural beauty, with an excursion to a splendid château and gardens situated in an equally grand setting, plus a chance to immerse yourself in the very landscapes that inspired Impressionist master Claude Monet. Visit the hilltop Château de La Roche-Guyon, surrounded by beautiful gardens and offering sweeping views over the Seine. Later, you can visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet. Or take in the beautiful French countryside in a more invigorating way, with a guided bike ride from Vernon to Giverny.
DAY 3 Rouen
Walk in the footsteps of greatness in Normandy’s medieval capital, a city with a historic quarter that remains amazingly intact. From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious. The roll call of famous people who lived or died in Rouen is long and varied—Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, Gustave Flaubert and Claude Monet are among them.
DAY 4 Caudebec-en-Caux (Honfleur or Étretat)
Caudebec-en-Caux, a lovely little town on the right bank of the Seine Estuary, is your base for one of two very different excursions. You could drive through the beautiful Calvados countryside to Honfleur, a delightful seaside harbor and city of painters, or head to the windy cliffs of Étretat for a game of golf.
DAY 5 Rouen (Normandy Beaches)
There are moments when we travel that move us on an otherworldly level—experiences that stir a profound emotional connection. The Normandy beaches certainly have that effect. On your full-day outing, you’ll visit Normandy’s beaches, including Utah Beach and Ste-Mère-Église, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Australian or Canadian beaches. After, you’ll go to the American cemetery and partake in a private ceremony at the Omaha Beach Memorial—a sentimental remembrance of Operation Overlord.
DAY 6 Mantes-la-Jolie (Versailles)
How did France’s rulers live over the centuries? Step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles, the lavish palace built by the Sun King, to find out.
A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.
DAY 7 Paris
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the “City of Light” or you’ve been here many times before, there’s something for everyone today in Paris. Enjoy a panoramic overview of the city, join a local expert for a walk through two much-loved neighborhoods, or pedal your way along the Left Bank, a fresh and fun way to take in the sights.
DAY 8 Paris (Disembark)
Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home.
About this trip
See 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites and 1 country
Departure Months
March to November
What's included
7 NIGHTS
Accommodation
PREMIUM ALL INCLUSIVE
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners, Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners. Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water
ON-TRIP TRANSPORT
All transport shown
Sightseeing highlights
S.S. Joie de Vivre brings the “joy of living” to the rivers of France. Step aboard your floating pied-à-terre in France, featuring handcrafted furniture and fine antiques, original artwork, and signature accents inspired by 20th-century Parisian design from the Golden Twenties to the free-spirited Sixties, all blending seamlessly with modern conveniences.
Cruise from Paris through Normandy’s countryside, uncovering its many charms: Richard the Lionheart’s Chateau Gaillard, the medieval capital of Rouen, Monet’s beloved home in Giverny and the famed Normandy beaches.
History buffs will be fascinated by D-Day sites and Rouen where Joan of Arc was martyred.
The Bressenden difference
DINING
All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
EXCURSIONS
6 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
Guided “Let’s Go” and “Village Day” programs
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
ACCOMMODATIONS
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the striking S.S. Catherine
Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
Free Internet and Wi-Fi access
EXPERIENCES
4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Captivating onboard local entertainment
Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
All transfers on arrival and departure days
Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
Exclusive Connoisseur Collection on select summer departures
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
Booking ABTA & ATOL protected.
CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION SAILINGS
Culinary-focused French cruises that will take you to famous restaurants, vineyards, orchards, truffle farms and other culinary hot spots. In Normandy, enjoy le dejeuner at a beautiful baroque castle, Château de Champ de Bataille. Your palate will never be the same.
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Included
EuropeFranceRiver Cruises -
Not Included
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