Grand France

Welcome to France. Your suite ship is ready for boarding. Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm. Guests must be on board the ship by 5 pm.

Your day is free to explore the world's most romantic city before starting your cruise on the Seine. Get acquainted with the City of Lights today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.

Start your day in Vernon with a choice of guided excursions. You can take an active walk to Chateau des Tourelles, join a tour of Claude Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny, or visit the courtyard and water garden at Bizy Castle. If you travel in March or November, the Giverny excursion is replaced by a guided tour of La Roche-Guyon and its castle. While sailing to Les Andelys, eat a traditional French lunch featuring authentic crepes and watch a pastry demonstration. Upon arriving in Les Andelys, choose between a guided hike up to the ruins of Chateau Gaillard or a guided walking tour of the town. Conclude your day with an evening cruise to Caudebec.

Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine
Active Excursion
Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.
This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.
Discovery Excursion
Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D-Day.
Overnight docking in Caudebec 

Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial (from September replaced with a visit to the D-Day Museum), the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
Evening cruise to Rouen

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a Heroine for France
Active Excursion
Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Evening/Overnight cruise to Conflans

The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV
Active Excursion
Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.

Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
Afternoon/Evening cruise to Paris
*Chateau de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly.

Cafes, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Active Excursion
Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided City Tour featuring the iconic sites of Paris, which make the City of Light the most romantic and remarkable city in the world.
Stroll through Paris on your own, or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.
Overnight docking in Paris

Take a High-Speed Train from Paris to Dijon, to drive on to Beaune.
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Visit to Cite des Climats et Vins de Bourgogne to discover Burgundy’s rich wine culture through an immersive, interactive experience, and enjoy a wine tasting.

This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship®.
Overnight docking in Tournus

Pearl of Southern Burgundy
Classic Excursion
Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Your Local Guide will show you the highlights of this delightful town.

Consider a Guided Optional Excursion to a Chardonnay wine cellar or to the Castle of Cormatin.
Discovery Excursion
Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.
Overnight docking in Trevoux

La Vie En Rose in Lyon

Sail for lovely Lyon this morning.
Active Excursion
Discover Lyon's architectural district by bike with your Adventure Host, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, OR:
Classic Excursion
Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon with its numerous churches from Fourvière Hill. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its lively cafés, monuments, and maze of medieval alleyways where history comes to life.
Discovery Excursion
Enjoy a WWII & French Resistance lecture on board your ship.

Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.
Overnight docking in Lyon

Adventures in Food and Wine
Classic Excursion
Join a Culinary Walk through the city to discover why it is known as the gastronomic capital of France.

The rest of your day is free to explore, relax, or shop in France’s third largest city. Take a bike from the ship and explore local produce markets and parks, or take a leisurely tour of the city’s more than 100 murals.
Evening cruise to Tournon

A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
Classic Excursion
Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon—one of France’s oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.

Enjoy a leisurely sail to Viviers after lunch.

VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country Village
Classic Excursion
Explore the pale-stone buildings of Viviers on a late afternoon Guided Walking Tour of this charming village. You’ll see its Romanesque cathedral and Old Town with a mix of historical Christian, Roman, and medieval influences.

Later, enjoy live entertainment onboard.
Evening /Overnight cruise to Avignon

The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
Active Excursion
Discover Avignon by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
Classic Excursion
Take a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the fortress city of Avignon—with its ramparts encircling the city—and a visit to the amazing Palace of the Popes.

Guided Optional Excursions include a visit to the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, or a trip to the famed wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhône wine region.

Explore Avignon on your own for the city’s art and culture, theatre, and museums. Be sure to snap photos of the captivating countryside, historic monuments, and the medieval Pont Saint-Bénézet.

Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
Evening cruise to Arles

A Brush with Genius
Active Excursion
Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:
Discovery Excursion
Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:
Classic Excursion
Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles—the captivating city of the Provence region. You’ll visit the Roman Amphitheater in this visually stunning city.

This afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, stroll, or just relax in a lovely park along Arles’ Boulevard des Lices.
Overnight docking in Arles

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.