Grand France (wwii History)
15 Days
Tour Description
This river cruise holiday showcases France’s charm, breath taking views, and rich history. Your adventure begins on the Rhône River with a visit to Arles, France—famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh—and its 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes. The city of Tournon is beautifully nestled among vineyards and you’ll go on a guided walk of this medieval treasure with plenty of Roman ruins. Lyon, France’s gastronomic capital is a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture. The Seine River offers a choice of excursion opportunities, rich of history! In Paris, take a tour focused on WWII and visit the museum of Les Invalides. Sail to Conflans, where you’ll choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” On 6th June join us for an onboard D-Day 80th Commemoration Ceremony. In Rouen, you’ll go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter, visit the gothic Cathedral and learn the important role played by this city during the French Resistance. Alternatively you will visit the battlefields in the area of Vimy Ridge and Beaumont-Hamel. You’ll sail through the picturesque and historic landscapes of Normandy, with the choice to visit the historic sites of the famed WWII landing beaches, and moving monuments to Allied forces, or you may explore the farming region for a “Taste of Normandy.” From Vernon, go on an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison, before sailing back to Paris for disembarkation.
Priced From:
$ 13729pp *
Start Location: Arles, France
End Location: Paris, France
Major Destinations: Paris ,Paris,Vernon,Lyon,Avignon
Breakfast Meals Included:
14
Lunch Meals Included:
12
Dinner Meals Included:
14
Itinerary
Day
1
ARLES, FRANCE (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Marseille must arrive by 3 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES (D)
Day
2
ARLES
Inspiring Sights and Avant-Garde Lights
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Get your daily dose of exercise through a Power Walk in Arles with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Attend a Painting Workshop to learn techniques of Vincent van Gogh. Create your own painting in the style of the legendary artist, OR:
CLASSIC Enjoy a Guided Walking Tour of Arles-the captivating city of the Provence region. You'll visit the Roman Amphitheatre in this visually stunning city.
Take free time to stop in Le Cafe Van Gogh for a glass of wine, before sailing to Avignon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON (B,L,D)
Day
3
AVIGNON
The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence
CLASSIC 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 Chateauneuf-du-Pape for a true taste of the Rhone 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-Benezet.
Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AVIGNON (B,L,D)
Day
4
VIVIERS
World History in a Charming French Country Village
Enjoy a leisurely morning sail to Viviers.
ACTIVE Walk your way up to Vivier's hilltop Cathedral with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TAIN L'HERMITAGE (B,L,D)
Day
5
TAIN L'HERMITAGE
A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE Explore Tournon by foot as you follow your Adventure Host for a morning hike in this beautiful town along the Rhone, OR:
CLASSIC Take a morning Guided Walking Tour to explore Tournon-one of France's oldest medieval cities with its 16th-century castle.
In the early afternoon cruise to Lyon.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON (B,L,D)
Day
6
LYON
La Vie En Rose in Lyon
CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon from Fourviere Hill with its numerous churches. You'll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafes, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.
Spend free time riding a bike through Lyon's town squares, over bridges, and along the banks where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet.
Enjoy live entertainment while sailing to Tournus.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO TOURNUS (B,L,D)
Day
7
TOURNUS-CHALON-SUR-SAONE
Wine and Cheese on the Stunning Saone
DISCOVERY Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Maconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards, the wines produced here, and to attend a wine-tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle!
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon cruising along the majestic Saone River.
DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.
Enjoy live entertainment on board this evening.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CHALON-SUR-SAONE (B,L,D)
Day
8
CHALON-SUR-SAONE (DISEMBARKATION)-BEAUNE-DIJON-PARIS (EMBARKATION)
Drive to Beaune and take a High-Speed Train from Dijon to Paris.
CLASSIC Visit the Hotel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of the Van der Weyden's painting of the Last Judgment and is one of France's architectural highlights.
This afternoon, take a high-speed train from Dijon to Paris to board your Suite Ship.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON (B,D)
Day
9
PARIS
Cafes, Cathedrals and Canvases in the city of Light
Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.
ACTIVE Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Ile de la Cite, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and the famous Champs-Elysees, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a WWII tour of Paris which will include a visit to the museum of Les Invalides, dedicated to the Ordre de la Liberation which was created in 1940 by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces.
Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles-home to a succession of French kings.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS (B,L,D)
Day
10
CONFLANS
The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV
DISCOVERY Onboard lecture about WWII hosted by your history expert.
ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Chateau de Malmaison-home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
DISCOVERY Take part in an onboard Commemoration Ceremony of the D-Day 80th Anniversary.
EVENING CRUISE TO LES ANDELYS (B,L,D)
Day
11
LES ANDELYS
Serenity on the Seine
ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Chateau Gaillard-historic home of King Richard the Lionheart, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys-one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine, OR:
DISCOVERY Take a full day excursion in the areas of Vimy Ridge and Beaumont-Hamel, where the Canadian Forces fought and won the German Army during WWI.
ROUEN
The Cathedral of Our Lady and a Heroine for France
CLASSIC If you didn't take part into the full day excursion to Vimy Ridge, 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.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)
Day
12
CAUDEBEC
Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine
ACTIVE Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a guided excursion to a V-1 flying bomb launch site, OR:
CLASSIC 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 Onboard lecture about WWII hosted by your history expert.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)
Day
13
CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions
CLASSIC 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 Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach centre, and the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
CLASSIC Join "A Taste of Normandy" Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery.
EVENING CRUISE TO VERNON (B,L,D)
Day
14
VERNON
Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crepes du Jour
Visit the Adventure Centre for today's activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet's charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:
CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle-called "Normandy's Versailles" for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crepes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO PARIS (B,L,D)
Day
15
PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Dates & prices
Dates
Prices
Status
Departure Date :
2024-05-28
Return Date :
2024-06-11
Single :
20729 NZD
Twin :
13729 NZD
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