Grand France – Cruise Only Northbound

Highlights

• Onboard welcome reception; sail into the Camargue region (daylight permitting)
• Choice of guided sightseeing, visit the Roman Amphitheatre, or painting workshop
• Guided sightseeing, visit the Palace of the Popes
• Guided walk, visit Old Town and the cathedral
• Guided walk in Tournon; guided walk in Vienne
• Guided sightseeing, picture stop on Fourvière Hill
• Day at leisure; cheese tasting on board
• Visit the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune; TGV train from Dijon to Paris; onboard welcome reception
• Choice of excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle; choice of guided walk, or guided hike in Les Andelys
• Choice of excursion along the “Normandy Abbeys Route”, or walk in the Natural Park; lecture on board
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What's this trip about?

This river cruise vacation showcases France’s charm, breathtaking scenery, and rich history. Your adventure begins on the Rhône River with a visit to Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh—and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheater. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes. 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. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital, is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. The Seine River offers a choice of excursion opportunities, such as a visit to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery; a visit to delightful Les Andelys, Joan of Arc’s Rouen, and the choice between a visit to Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. On this French river cruise, you’ll enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful scenery, and stops in charming and historical parts of France, but your adventure would not be complete without a visit to 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 historic Île St. Louis with its narrow streets, and Île de la Cité where medieval Paris was founded, will be a delight. Walk in the footsteps of the great master artists, enjoy the delectable cuisine of France, and stand where heroes fought for freedom on the beaches of Normandy. This and so much more is waiting for you on your French cruise on the Seine!

Accommodation