Discover some of France’s most idyllic towns, including Lyons-la-Forêt, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France; the seaside resort town of Honfleur, a favorite among the Impressionists; and Le Bec-Hellouin, a village with an exceptionally profound religious past that can still be sensed as well as seen. Visit Normandy’s historical hubs, Caen and Bayeux, home to the Medieval depiction of the Battle of Hastings on a tapestry from the 11th century, and walk the beaches of Normandy where Allied forces landed during WWII’s D-Day Invasion. Conclude your journey in Brittany, discovering all of its splendid treasures—the high-wall city of St. Malo, charming medieval Dinan, the seaside village of Dinard, and the magical island monastery of Mont St. Michel.
Highlights
Meander through Monet’s gardens in Giverny
Discover the Italian Renaissance garden of Château d’Ambleville
Visit Château de Harcourt Arboretum, one of the richest gardens in Europe
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Experience the “City of Light” from a unique perspective when you board a modern river boat at the Port de la Bourdonnais, located on the banks of the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower. With exterior seating and viewing platforms, your onehour cruise will be a dream come true as you glide along the river and underneath Paris’s ornate bridges. From the boat, you will take in panoramic views of the city’s iconic buildings and monuments, including the Musee d’Orsay and the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Watch the scenery go by as you sail to MantesLaJolie, a historic center where French creatives produced musical instruments and visual art. Experience the world through your taste buds and join a tasting tour during which you’ll get a chance to try the region’s famous applebased calvados, cider and cheese. Alternatively, go on a city tour during which you may see some of MantesLaJolie’s beautiful religious structures, like the Gothic Notre Dame de Mantes, followed by a unique visit to a local bee farm. Or visit the distinctive Château d’Anet, an elegant Renaissance château built in the 16th century by King Henri II for his mistress, Diane de Poiters.
Take in the scenery on a scenic cruise before disembarking the ship to experience the colorful splendor of Claude Monet’s magnificent gardens at his former home in Giverny, admiring the water lilies, Japanese bridges and graceful willow trees immortalized in his paintings. For a more active adventure, pedal through Vernon on a guided bike tour. Alternatively, take a walking tour of Monet’s home and garden, exploring the grounds of Giverny with plenty of time to smell the roses. Or journey to Château de la RocheGuyon, a picturesque Renaissancestyle castle, as well as the beautiful Gardens d’Acquigny, boasting waterfalls, bridges, canals and a wide variety of trees and plant life.
Spend the morning enjoying medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions. Join a walking tour past the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and see the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, as well as the Medieval Quarter and Great Clock. Alternatively, delve into the once “haunted” Château de Bonnemare, a 16thcentury medieval castle housing a historic cider press, a kitchen rotisserie inspired by the designs of Leonardo da Vinci, and the inspiration for a tragic love poem written by Marie de France. 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. Later in the day, cruise through Rouen’s historyfilled streets by bicycle to discover sites like the
ossuary of SaintMaclou, the grand Gothic Rouen Cathedral, and the idyllic trails along the city’s moat and through its parks before concluding your peaceful ride back to the ship.
Visit Bayeux, with a medieval city center and the worldrenowned Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion of England, followed by a visit to Caen, where one of the top sites is the Château de Caen, an 11thcentury castle built by William the Conqueror. Or instead, admire the 30acre Harcourt Arboretum, with its nearly 3,000 trees, as well as the palatial Château du Champ de Bataille and the commune of Le BecHellouin, known for its 11thcentury abbey. Later, enjoy a scenic cruise from Le Havre to CaudebecenCaux, where you can visit Museo Seine, a museum focusing on the history of the Seine River. Then immerse yourself in the enchanting history of Château d’Ételan, the first Italian Renaissance Château built in France in 1494, where you may see a wonderful chapel with original wall paintings and the guard house dating back to 1350 in an amazing landscape.
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. You can also choose a fullday excursion to see the historic Normandy Beaches, where you may visit such sites as the cemetery at CollevillesurMer, Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at LonguessurMer and the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. In the afternoon, you have the choice of a city tour of the UNESCOdesignated Le Havre, an architectural tour of Le Havre’s modernist postwar reconstruction, or a bike tour through Le Havre.
Day 8: Le Havre | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Disembark your ship in Le Havre and prepare for your return flight home.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,899
Please confirm embark/disembark locations before reserving flights, as this itinerary operates in reverse on alternating departures.
Beyond expectations! Then again we weren't sure what to expect. Lovely stay at the lodge, met other like-minded travelers (many had their trips planned by Adventure Life) and the owner was a gracious hostess. It felt like you were one happy family, visiting with a favorite aunt.
Nancy Sin
TrustScore 4.8 | 142 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 142 reviews on
23 hours ago
Excellent trip saw much more than would have seen with out Adventure Life's help.
Anonymous traveler
2 days ago
Erin made things easier than I thought possible. So good at answering questions in a timely manner and explaining all. I feel she looks out for me.
Fran Folkman
2 days ago
Very personable and knowledgeable! Able to answer questions and provide advice based on personal experiences.
Robert Thompson
2 days ago
Erin is a seasoned travel planner and is very personable. She is a good listener and uses our questions and concerns to make the trip just as we want it. She is very good at moving the booking process along and meticulous with the details.
This is why we came back to have her plan this trip for us.
Lynn Oveson
2 days ago
Erin C. was incredibly helpful and thorough. I had answers immediately or within the same day.