PARIS TO NORMANDY'S LANDING BEACHES 8 DAYS FROM $2,049 US Details below or
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Combine time in France’s marvelous capital with discoveries of quaint villages along the Seine and in the picturesque Normandy region. Embark in Paris, where your vacation begins with sightseeing of some of the famous sites, including the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Then set sail and choose between a visit of Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison. Next up: your choice of a guided visit of Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or magnificent Bizy Castle. On to Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen, where you choose between an included excursion to the poignant Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating “Taste of Normandy.” Continue to Les Andelys with the Château Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, and enjoy free time to explore this medieval town on your own. Return to Paris, where you’ll disembark and conclude your exciting vacation!
Day 1 Arrive in Paris, France (Embarkation)
Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine, the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Dinner)
Day 2 Paris
Paris’ famous sights are living history. Included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 Paris–Conflans
After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, dock at Conflans—and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to AUVERS-SUR-OISE, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or Napoleon and Josephine’s CHÂTEAU de MALMAISON just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it “the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation.” (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 Vernon
This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of BIZY CASTLE with its magnificent courtyard. There’s still time to stroll through this delightful city on your own before your ship departs for Rouen. Relax on board this afternoon or take your pick of a number of optional excursions on offer. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5 Rouen
Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city, perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic CATHEDRAL was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur or to the busy port city of Le Havre with its contemporary architecture. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6 Rouen
Make your choice today of an included excursion to the historic NORMANDY LANDING BEACHES—with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery—or a “TASTE OF NORMANDY” for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is Calvados, a strong apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. (B,L,D )
Day 7 Les Andelys
The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing Château Gaillard at Les Andelys. Built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the château is truly a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 Paris (Disembarkation)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Departure flights should not leave before 8 am. (Breakfast)
Highlights & Sightseeing
CRUISE:
Deluxe 7-night cruise from Paris to Paris in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds
PARIS:
Welcome reception; guided sightseeing
CONFLANS:
Choice of guided excursions to Auvers-sur-Oise or Château de Malmaison
VERNON:
Choice of guided excursions to Giverny or Bizy Castle
ROUEN:
Guided sightseeing, see the Astronomical Clock and visit the Cathedral; choice of excursions to Normandy landing beaches or “A Taste of Normandy”
LES ANDELYS:
Orientation, see Château Gaillard
Meals
Superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements
Notes:
In the event of water level problems or any problems of a technical nature, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or to alter the program.
Included visits and special features are subject to change. If a change becomes necessary, a substitute will be offered.
Avalon Creativity
Enjoy unmatched service, sumptuous cuisine, panoramic views, first-class amenities, and spacious staterooms as you cruise through France on the Avalon Creativity. Carrying a maximum of just 140 passengers, the Creativity offers staterooms that are a full 15% larger than the industry standard - with floor-to-ceiling windows on two decks - so you'll be comfortable, relaxed, and fully engaged with the passing French countryside as you cruise between Paris and Rouen. From a fitness center and hair salon to Wi-Fi access and a complimentary premium beverage station, the Creativity was built with an impressive collection of remarkable amenities to enhance your journey. The whirlpool on the Sky Deck allows for a refreshing dip after a day of sightseeing, and the Internet corner allows you to stay in touch with friends and family back home.
Always Included
It's about you. You are the reason we've used our 80-plus years of travel expertise to design the very best river cruise experience. Inspired by you, we've taken everything special about river cruising and made it even better. Here are some of the features and amenities you'll experience on board our Avalon ships.
Panoramic windows throughout every ship.
Spacious designs provide personal space.
Included shore excursions with Local Guide.
Headsets for shore excursions.
Complimentary Wi-Fi access.
Personalized room options & excursions.
Highest-quality craftsmanship.
Premium coffees, cappuccinos and lattes.
Coffee self-serve beverage station.
A lounge serving premium spirit cocktails.
Maintain your routine in the fitness center.
The Comfort Collection by AvalonSM.
Premium L'Occitane bath amenities.
Daily early- and late-riser breakfast.
Full buffet breakfast with sparkling wine.
Complimentary juices with breakfast.
Made-to-order egg station at breakfast.
Complimentary soft drinks with lunch.
Chef-inspired regional recipes.
Four-course dinners with open seating.
Choice of appetizers, soups & salads.
Nightly option of entree, dessert or cheese.
Complimentary regional wines at dinner.
Free soft drinks or beer with dinner.
Night Fare served at 10:30 p.m.
Remarkable service through the cruise.
English-speaking crew.
Non-smoking interior.
Large bathrooms - showers w/ glass doors.
Flatscreen satellite TV with movie channels.
Spacious 3-door closets for ample storage.
And, much more.
Optional Excursions
Important Note: the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.
CITY: Paris
Visit the Eiffel Tower
Start your encounter of Paris with a visit to its most famous land mark - the Eiffel Tower. Your local expert will accompany you up to the second floor, from where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Paris and all its famous buildings - the Military Academy, the Louvre, the Arch of Triumph, Sacre Coeur, Notre Dame . . . Sign up for this excursion once you arrive at your hospitality desk. The tour operator holds a reservation for preferred access to elevators. Departure of this excursion is at 1.15 pm from your Meeting Point Hotel - limited number of seats available.
Approximate value: EUR €29 per person
Mona Lisa's Smile and the Louvre Museum
"Open to all since 1793" The Louvre Museum has embodied the concept of a truly "universal" institution. The priceless artworks housed in the Louvre are held for the benefit of present and future generations. The 35,000 works of art include such famous master pieces as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo. Our local expert will bring them to life as we have a look at the most important pieces of the various collections.
Approximate value: EUR €48 per person
The Artist's Quarter of Montmartre
Join our local expert on a short walking tour of the lanes and squares around Sacré Coeur Church. Admire a spectacular view over the roofs of the City of Light and love. Listen to the stories, and admire the artwork of the artists at Place du Tertre where some of the French impressionists started their career. There is free time before your local expert provides a short orientation of the city on the way back to the hotel.
Approximate value: EUR €41 per person
An Evening at the Moulin Rouge
The Moulin Rouge Theater is the epitome of French cabaret shows. Enjoy a dinner at the Moulin Rouge before you admire the colorful show "Féerie" featuring more than 100 artists and dancers, and more than 1000 costumes.
Approximate value: EUR €159 per person
CITY: Rouen
Visit to Honfleur
The estuary of the Seine has always exercised its fascination on numerous artists, painters, writers and musicians such as: William Turner, Johan Bartold Jongkind, Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet, Charles Baudelaire and Erik Satie. Honfleur is a medieval town and it reveals her riches to all those who take the time to look. The old town hall, the former Salt Halls, St. Catherine's Church and old docks are inviting places for a stroll or to have a café au lait or simply to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this picturesque city. Our local experts guide you through the secrets of this jewel of Normandy.
Approximate value: EUR €49 per person
The Normandy Abbey Road
Rivers were always a trade route since medieval times. The Christian spirit developed and spread along these arteries of life. The Seine river is no exception and along its banks monasteries came into existence. St. Wandrille is one of the most famous ones and still active nowadays, in spite of Viking raids and the French revolution. A guided inside visit shows the monastic life of Benedictines. Via the ruins of Jumieges' Abbey we will see the remains of the former abbey of St. Martin de Boscherville. Especially worth seeing here are the former monastery's garden which have been transformed nowadays into a safe place for ancient varietals of local fruit, vegetables and flowers of Normandy.
Approximate value: EUR €49 per person
Departure Dates: March - October
Prices From approx $2,049 US
per person based on double occupancy
To book or for more
information please complete the INQUIRY
FORM
Combine time in France’s marvelous capital with discoveries of quaint villages along the Seine and in the picturesque Normandy region. Embark in Paris, where your vacation begins with sightseeing of some of the famous sites, including the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Then set sail and choose between a visit of Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison. Next up: your choice of a guided visit of Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or magnificent Bizy Castle. On to Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen, where you choose between an included excursion to the poignant Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating “Taste of Normandy.” Continue to Les Andelys with the Château Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, and enjoy free time to explore this medieval town on your own. Return to Paris, where you’ll disembark and conclude your exciting vacation!