Highlights of Normandy & the Seine with Highlights of Paris

Welcome to Paris, the City of Light. There are icons at every turn in the French capital, from the chic boutiques of the Champs Elysees to the meandering riverbank of the Seine and the bustling crossroads of the Arc de Triomphe, with the intricate metalwork of the Eiffel Tower always in view above. Paris is a city that almost defies description; stroll the historic streets and you’ll soon see why it has inspired generations of artists, musicians, filmmakers and fashionistas.

Check in to your luxurious hotel, located in the bustling 9th Arrondissement, also known as the Opera district. It’s known for its wide boulevards; many theatres, including the opulent Palais Garnier opera house; and grand Belle Epoque department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette.

It’s your first morning in Paris, so why not start the day with a pain au chocolat and a café au lait? Paris is a city that has been immortalised in endless movies, TV shows, books and paintings, so even if you’re a first-time visitor you will feel like you already know it. Its elegant streets, grand buildings, shady parks, stylish cafes and even more stylish residents, you’ll quickly be swept up in the joie de vivre. (B)

Freechoice: Today’s Scenic Freechoice:

• Panoramic city tour: Marvel at the city’s most famous sites on this interesting and engaging tour, taking in the Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe and more. You’ll learn what makes Paris so magical and why it’s one of the world’s most visited cities.
• Explore Bohemian Paris: The Montmartre district of Paris is known for its Bohemian spirit, home to artists, writers and rumours of debauchery. Explore this fascinating quarter and discover a hidden winery tucked away in the streets behind Sacre-Coeur.

This afternoon, discover the part of Paris that most inspires you. Perhaps you would like to visit one of the legendary art galleries, like The Louvre, Musée d’Orsay or Centre Pomidou. Splash some cash at the flagship boutiques of the world’s best designer labels or hunt out a treasure at one of the city’s vintage stores and flea markets. Then there’s the food; you could spend the whole afternoon (and more) at the patisseries, boulangeries, fromageries and bistros that line every street. Then pick up some supplies and retreat to one of the many elegant parks for a classic Parisian picnic.

Today you have time to explore this magical city at your leisure before transferring to the Scenic Gem. You will be welcomed on board by our friendly crew who are excited to share an unforgettable cruise along the Seine River. (B/D)

Wake this morning in Conflans, a medieval town located at the confluence of the River Seine and Oise. Though it’s just a short distance from the centre of the city, it feels a world away. A castle was built here by monks in the 9th century to protect the relics of Saint Honore, from whom the town gets its name. It became a popular pilgrimage site in the 11th century, a practice which lasted for more than 700 years. Wander the quiet streets and the riverside pathway, sip coffee at an open-air café, and admire the beautiful ancient church. From here, you can explore some of the outer regions of Paris. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Today, choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise: Transfer to the village of Auvers-Sur-Oise, the place where Vincent Van Gogh painted his final masterpieces, by coach. Throughout the town you will see landmarks that were immortalised by Van Gogh in some of his well-known artworks such as the famous Notre Dame de l'Assomption church. The tour includes entry to Van Gogh’s room, an attic that he rented during his final months. The artist was the last occupant of this room, which has sat empty since 1890. Enjoy free time afterwards to wander through the village.
• Chantilly Castle and Gardens: Chateau de Chantilly is a magnificent tribute to France’s cultural heritage, built by Henri D'Orleans, the son of the last King of France. Take a guided tour of the castle and gardens, including some free time to explore the grounds. The chateau showcases some of the fine collections D’Orleans amassed during his life, which you can see displayed elegantly in the large gallery as well as the grand living areas used by this family.

This afternoon you’ll spend time on board as your Scenic Space-Ship cruises back to Paris. Relax with a regional wine or beer in the Panorama Lounge & Bar; take some time out in the wellness centre, where you can enjoy a massage;, or head to the state-of-the-art gym for an invigorating workout.

Rouen is the vibrant capital of the Normandy region. With a fascinating history of Roman and Viking settlement, it has also played a pivotal place in history as the town where Richard the Lionheart was crowned Duke of Normandy and Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. Much of Rouen was sadly destroyed in World War II, but much of the city has been faithfully restored, including the exquisite Old Town. It’s an engaging and historically rich destination, packed with museums, stylish bistros and coffee shops, and a wealth of churches, including the famed 12th century Rouen Cathedral.

Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning’s Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Rouen city tour: Victor Hugo once described Rouen as ‘the city of a hundred spires’ – find out why on a guided tour of the city, which takes you to the cathedral district, the old marketplace and Saint Maclou Quarter, home to another striking church. Feel as though you’ve stepped into a fairytale as you walk the winding medieval laneways and admire the half-timbered houses. Learn about Joan of Arc and see where she was tragically put to death after being tried for heresy and sorcery in 1431. Enjoy free time afterwards to explore on your own.
• Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking: Authentically dressed as Viking warlord Rollo the Walker – who was famously too tall to ride a horse – your guide will take you around the city to learn about the Viking raiders who made Rouen their capital. This tour focuses on the city’s medieval past and you will enjoy some free time afterwards to explore.
• Tastes of Normandy: The region of Normandy is as diverse as it is abundant. The dairy industry makes way for the numerous and delicious soft creamy cheeses that are popular in this area and often regarded as some of the best in France. The high number of quality orchards allow the production of Cider and Calvados. Try some of the best this region has to offer during this tour.

Back on board this evening, join a lecture about WWII to gain a better understanding ahead of your full-day excursions tomorrow.

Lecture on WWII: History comes alive tonight with an interactive lecture on the battles of WWII. Discover what life was like during the campaigns of D-Day;, learn about Operation Fortitude, the plan created to deceive the Germany Army on the location of D-Day, and see how technology had evolved since WWI. (B/L/D)

This morning your Scenic Space-Ship will dock right in the centre of Honfleur, a colourful coastal town that has been described as having one of the prettiest harbours in France, Le Vieux Bassin. Over the years the town has captured the imaginations of countless artists and was the birthplace of Impressionism. The bustling harbour and cobbled streets are a confection of half-timbered houses, restaurants, gourmet shops and art galleries. It’s an easy walk from the ship to explore the harbour area and network of laneways beyond.

You can choose to explore Honfleur or take an excursion today to the Normandy Beaches to learn about the D-Day Landings, where tens of thousands of allied troops came ashore on June 6, 1944, to free north-western Europe from Nazi occupation. Six weeks of heavy fighting and losses followed, but this strategic campaign ultimately ended the war. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Choose from todays’ Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Walking tour of Honfleur: From the ship, join a guided walking tour of Honfleur’s harbour. You will see the Church of Sainte-Catherine, which dates to the 15th century and is France’s largest church to be made entirely of wood with a separate belfry. Then visit the Garden of Personalities, a 10-hectare landscaped garden that features the busts of important French figures over time, including painters and navigators.
• Excursion to the Normandy Beaches Including Omaha Beach (US Focused): Start at the memorial on Utah Beach, where more than 20,000 US troops landed, before a visit to Sainte-mere-Eglise, where 30 US Paratroopers landed during the invasion. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Normandy American Cemetery and Visitor Centre before a short stop at the Omaha Beach Memorial. Omaha Beach is often referred to as ‘Bloody Omaha’, as it resulted in the most casualties during the operation, with 2,400 dead.
• Excursion to the Normandy Beaches Including British Normandy Memorial (UK Focused): The small town of Bayeux was the first to be liberated after the D-Day Landings and became the French capital for the summer of 1944, until the liberation of Paris. Visit the Bayeux War Cemetery, the Museum of the Battle of Normandy and the new state-of-the-art Landing Museum at Arromanches, located across the artificial harbour that was built to dispatch reinforcements. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the British Normandy Memorial, which records the names of 22,442 fallen servicemen and women; the Pegasus Bridge & Museum, site of an important battle; and the Ranville War Cemetery.
• Excursion to the Normandy Beaches Including Juno Beach Centre (Canadian Focused): Begin at Abbey d’Ardenne, which was founded in the 11th century and is now a memorial to Canadian Prisoners of War from D-Day. Explore the Juno Beach Centre, a memorial to where 20,000 Canadian troops, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and then visit the poignant Bény-sur-Mer Canadian cemetery and Pegasus Bridge & Museum, site of an important battle.

Your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Caudebec-En-Caux this morning. This small town is set on a curve of the Seine and the riverfront is lined with handsome homes, stately gardens and crumbling stone walls. Caudebec dates back to the Middle Ages and a handful of historic buildings survived the bombardments of WWII, including the ornate 15th century Notre Dame Caudebec-En-Caux. From where you’ll set out to explore more of the Normandy region. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Explore your way this morning with one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Normandy Abbey Trail: Spiritual health and wealth have been important in the Normandy region since the Middle Ages, and evidence of this remains through the many abbeys in the region. Today you will travel via coach to see some set along the river, including the ruins of Jumièges Abbey, a Benedictine Abbey that dates to the year 654 and was once home to a thousand monks. It was rebuilt many times over the centuries but eventually met its demise during the French Revolution.
• Rural e-bike cycling: Join your local guide as you ride through the spectacular scenery surrounding Caudebec-En-Caux. Cycle across historic bridges, pass traditional houses with straw roofs and get an insight into local life.
• Normandy's secret Roman past: History tells us that William the Conqueror was in his castle at Lillebonne in 1066 when he made his decision to invade England. Visit the ruins of this castle during an interactive guided tour, led by one of Caesar’s soldiers who will tell you about the secret Roman past of the region.
• Fecamp and Benedictine Palace: Take a coach transfer to Fecamp, an historic seaside town surrounded by some of the tallest cliffs in Normandy. You will join a guided tour of the Benedictine Palace, an architectural masterpiece built in the 19th century, famous for the Benedictine liquor that is produced on site and is said to contain 27 plants and spices. Enjoy a tasting during your visit.

Return to your Scenic Space-Ship for an afternoon at leisure. You may wish to spend the afternoon in the exclusive Salt Therapy Lounge, which provides natural anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

This morning your Scenic Space-Ship will arrive in Vernon, an historic border town between the Duchy of Normandy and the Kingdom of France. Today it’s a great base to explore nearby Giverny, known for its most famous resident, artist Claude Monet, who turned this quiet riverside town into an artist pilgrimage. (B/L/D)

Freechoice:

• Monet's House and Garden: Claude Monet is renowned as the founder of French Impressionist painting and today you will visit his house and gardens. Built by Monet, the gardens comprise a Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies, which inspired his most famous works. On arrival in Giverny, you will enjoy a guided tour of the town and visit Monet’s residence, followed by free time to explore at your own leisure. The town is surrounded by hillsides and features many walking paths that are fringed by wildflowers.
• Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny: Take a self-guided biking tour from the ship in Vernon to Giverny (approximately five kilometres each way). When you arrive, you may wish to visit Monet’s House and Garden or wander about the charming town, before returning to the ship.

After this morning’s touring, you will return to your Scenic Space-Ship and sail towards La Roche Guyon, where this evening’s exclusive Scenic Enrich experience will take place.

Enrich:

• Chateau de La Roche Guyon: All guests will take a short walk from the ship to Chateau La Roche Guyon, which is built into a chalk hillside and dates to the 16th century. It features decorative walls and ceilings as well as tapestries, and during WWII was the headquarters for German field marshal Erwin Rommel, known as Desert Fox. On your way to the chateau you will pass through the manicured orchard and vegetable gardens, which are kept by nine on-site gardeners, then walk uphill and across cobblestones. On arrival you’ll enjoy a drink and sit for a splendid classical concert that focuses on music by French composers.

Welcome back to Paris. Spend the day exploring some of the hidden treasures of this city, like the trendy district of the Marais, or venture south-east of the city to an exquisite chateau. You will also enjoy some free time to tick off big name sites like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Choose from today’s Scenic Freechoice options:

• Trendy Marais with a local Parisian: Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Marais district with a Parisian guide. A melting pot of cultures, fascinating history, opulent architecture, an eclectic arts scene and high-end fashion, the Marais is one of the most diverse districts in Paris.
• Highlights of Paris city tour: Join your local guide as you coach through the city seeing many of its most famous sights. Marvel at Paris' most iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower, drive the famous Champs Elysee as well as seeing the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and Concorde Square. This is a great introduction to Paris for guests who have not been before.
• Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte: Take a coach to the Chateau Vaux le Vicomte, located an hour’s drive from Paris. This chateau is credited as the founding French formal garden that was the inspiration for Versailles. The property is laid out in a typical symmetrical fashion with its stunning gardens creating a theatrical setting.

After breakfast, transfer to Paris airport or train station for your onward journey.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions. (B)