Christmastime in Paris & Normandy

Step aboard the ship and take time to comfortably settle into your stateroom. As Paris prepares for the chilly winter months and upcoming seasonal festivities, watch the vibrant city streets truly come alive. Observe patrons at charming pavement cafés sipping rich hot chocolate, wrapped tightly in warm woolens against the crisp air. Take a stroll to admire grand shop windows depicting enchanting fairy tales, Santa Claus inside his bustling workshop, or serene snowy winter wonderlands. From November onward, marvel as leading department stores, including Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, unveil magnificent seasonal displays featuring clever animation, offering spectacular reveals that remain highly anticipated each and every year.

Immerse yourself in the joyful cheer of Parisian Christmas markets, where the comforting aromas of hot mulled wine, freshly roasted chestnuts, and delicious bites of regional cheese and rich chocolate drift across the city. Step into the Tuileries Garden to explore the largest marché de Noël in Paris, a festive space seamlessly blending traditional artisan stalls with thrilling carnival attractions. Ride the towering Ferris wheel to secure a spectacular vantage point for gazing upon the sprawling urban skyline from above. Afterward, wander through the charming Montmartre district to shop for beautifully unique handcrafted holiday gifts, and take time to visit the Hôtel de Ville, where an array of festive vendor stalls sits perfectly framed by a grand neoclassical facade bathed in enchanting, twinkling lights.

Included Excursions: 
Panoramic Paris
See the major sights of the romantic “City of Light” with a knowledgeable local guide.

Life in Paris revolves around the Seine River, with 37 bridges crossing the river, each telling a story. Perhaps none are so extravagant as the Pont Alexandre III, a graceful span named for the Russian tsar who signed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892. Downriver, the five-arched Pont d’Iéna is beloved for its scenic location linking the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadéro district. The Pont des Arts, set between the Louvre and the Institut de France, was famed for its thousands of padlocks, attached by couples to the railing grate as a sign of their devotion to each other.

The Seine meanders through the mellow vistas of Normandy. As it makes its sleepy and serpentine way to the English Channel, it winds along for 240 miles from Paris, more than doubling the distance of a crow’s flight. As you sail, swathes of fields unfurl toward groves of apple orchards, sources of the region’s famed Normandy cider. Calvados apple brandy is also a regional specialty, and a celebrated staple ingredient in Normandy cuisine. You also gaze upon picturesque villages and historic abbeys on these bucolic banks.

The landmarks and streets of Rouen are aglow with twinkling lights during Advent. Half-timbered houses don decorative displays along the pedestrianized Rue du Gros Horloge and the city’s main squares play host to street performers. At the Place du Vieux Marché, skaters perfect their skills on the ice rink, while at Cathedral Square, more than 70 market stalls form the annual Christmas market. Square Verdrel, by the Fine Arts Museum, transforms into a winter wonderland bringing a magical atmosphere to its landscaped green spaces.

Included Excursions:
Normandy Beaches: US
Ponder the courage of the Allied troops who changed the course of World War II during a visit to the D-Day Beaches.

Rouen’s medieval center is pedestrian friendly and best explored on foot. Gothic architecture meets picturesque market squares, and winding narrow streets house historic gems, such as the 14th-century Gros-Horloge Astronomical Clock. The Rouennais take pride in their culinary delights, inspired by the four ‘Cs’ of Normandy cuisine. Crème, camembert, cider and calvados are common ingredients resulting in traditional dishes that are deliciously rich and buttery.

Included Excursions:
Rouen Walking Tour
Explore the medieval quarter of the cultural capital of Normandy.

The origins of Paris can be traced back to a Gallic settlement founded during the 3rd century BC. By the time Napoleon III established the Second Empire during the mid-19th century, it had expanded into a large city and was in need of a major transformation. What transpired was a division of Paris into 20 arrondissements, starting at the Île de la Cité and spiraling out in a consecutive numerical order—the city’s present design. From the lively jazz bars of the Latin Quarter to the steep, ivy-clad streets of Montmartre, these charming districts are a delight to explore.

The stretch of the Seine River, running from Le Pecq to Paris, showcases a blend of riverside gardens, parks and elegant residences. As you glide along the winding waterway, historic barges and houseboats come into view, and the banks display an urban mix of commerce and leisure, with locals sipping wine in riverside cafes.

Included Excursions:
Napoleon’s Château de Malmaison
Visit the historic château where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final days in France.

Paris is home to some of the world’s most celebrated museums, making it a paradise for art and culture lovers. The Louvre, once a royal palace, houses masterpieces spanning centuries, including the iconic Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Nearby, the Musée d’Orsay showcases a collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by artists such as Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. Beyond its galleries, Paris itself feels like an open air museum, where elegant boulevards, historic squares and grand architecture reveal the city’s rich artistic heritage at every turn.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of the extensions.