Grand France 75th Anniversary of D-Day WWII Remembrance & History Cruise Only

Take a wondrous journey through beautiful France along the Rhône and Saône Rivers with guided sightsee-ing in the well-known French treasures and some hidden gems too! Begin your adventure in Arles, on the Rhône River—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater, which hosts plays and concerts to this day. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest gothic fortress in the world. The twin cities of Tournon and Tain l’Hermitage are beautifully nestled among vineyards and you’ll go on a guided walk of Tournon, a medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and is a showcase of medi-eval and Renaissance architecture. Visit the popular Place des Terreaux and stand in front of the famous fountain you’ve seen on postcards. From Paris you’ll sail to Vernon, where you’ll choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” Attend a commemoration ceremony for the D-Day 75th anniversary. In Rouen, best known as the home of Joan of Arc, you’ll go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter and visit the gothic Rouen Cathedral—once the tallest building in the world and you will learn the important role played by this city during the French Resistance. Alternatively you will visit the battlefields in the area of Vimy Ridge and Beaumont-Hamel. From Conflans, go on an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Au-vers-Sur-Oise—associated with several famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. On this French river cruise, you’ll enjoy wine, cheese, history lectures by an expert travelling with you, beau-tiful scenery along the Seine River, and stops in charming and historical parts of France, but your adventure would not be complete without some time in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities! The “City of Light” has Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum with its elegant glass pyramid contrasting its ancient architecture. A guided walk through the historic Île St. Louis with its narrow streets, and Île de la Cité where medieval Paris was founded, will be a delight or take a tour focused on WWII and visit the museum of Les Invalides.