Grand France WWII Remembrance & History Cruise (Southbound)

PARIS, FRANCE (EMBARKATION) Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding

Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30 pm.

Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.

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

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON

VERNON Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Take a Guided Bike Tour through the picturesque Normandy countryside from Vernon to Giverny, ending with a visit to Monet’s enchanting gardens and home, 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 crêpes followed by an onboard history presentation.

This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.

LES ANDELYS

Serenity on the Seine

ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château 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.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC

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.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC

CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY 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 Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:

CLASSIC 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.

EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN

ROUEN The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a Heroine for France

ACTIVE 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:

DISCOVERY Join a Guide Tour to visit Dieppe, where Operation Jubilee (Dieppe Raid) took place during WWII, OR:

DISCOVERY Join a Guide Tour to visit Vimy Memorial and the Battle of the Somme battlefield, the largest battle on the Western Front. Continue Beaumont-Hamel and visit the memorial to the Newfoundland Regiment, OR:

CLASSIC 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.

DISCOVERY Onboard history lecture hosted by your history expert.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS

CONFLANS The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

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 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

* Château 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

PARIS Cafés, 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:

DISCOVERY Take a WWII tour of Paris which will include a visit to the museum of Les Invalides, dedicated to the Ordre de la Libération which was created in 1940 by General Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French Forces, OR:

CLASSIC 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 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

PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)–DIJON–BEAUNE–CHALON-SUR-SAÔNE (EMBARKATION) Take a High-Speed Train from Paris to Dijon, to drive on to Beaune.

CLASSIC Visit the Hôtel-Dieu Charity Hospital in Beaune, built in 1443, today home of Van der Weyden’s painting of the Last Judgement.

This afternoon, travel to Chalon-sur-Saône to board your Suite Ship®.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNUS

TOURNUS Pearl of Southern Burgundy

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

ACTIVE Enjoy a hike with your Avalon Adventure Host in Tournus, OR:

CLASSIC Tucked away in the southeast corner of Burgundy, Tournus is one of the oldest and most important monastic centers in the region, Our Local Guide will show the highlights of this delightful town.

DISCOVERY Travel into the rolling landscapes of the Mâconnais region to learn about its world-famous Chardonnay vineyards and the wines produced here. Attend a wine tasting in the cellars of a real medieval castle!

DISCOVERY Later, enjoy a delicious Cheese Tasting on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LYON

Lyon, the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its center reflects 2,000 years of history from the Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, medieval and Renaissance architecture in Vieux (Old) Lyon, to the modern Confluence district on Presqu'île peninsula. Traboules, covered passageways between buildings, connect Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse hill.

LYON La Vie En Rose in Lyon

ACTIVE 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 Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour to survey Lyon with its numerous churches from Fourvière Hill. You’ll also explore the Old Town with its maze of medieval alleyways, and the lively cafés, monuments, and famed fountain of Place des Terreaux.

DISCOVERY Be our guest for a WWII & French Resistance lecture on board your ship.

Later enjoy live entertainment after dinner.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LYON

Lyon, the capital city in France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, sits at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Its center reflects 2,000 years of history from the Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules, medieval and Renaissance architecture in Vieux (Old) Lyon, to the modern Confluence district on Presqu'île peninsula. Traboules, covered passageways between buildings, connect Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse hill.

LYON Adventures in Food and Wine

Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.

CLASSIC Explore Lyon’s silk heritage with a museum visit, a Walking Tour of La Presqu’île, and a live demonstration of hand-printed silk serigraphy in a workshop. A rich journey through silk history!

This afternoon, enjoy leisurely sailing to Tournon.

Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN TOURNON

TOURNON A Rendezvous with Castle Views and Vineyards

CLASSIC 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 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 AVIGNON

Avignon, France, is a historic city in Provence famed for its stunning medieval architecture. Dominated by the impressive Palais des Papes, a grand papal palace, and the iconic Pont Saint-Bénézet bridge, Avignon offers a rich cultural heritage. Its charming streets, vibrant markets, and annual theater festival, the Festival d'Avignon, add to its allure. Surrounded by picturesque vineyards and the Rhône River, Avignon blends history with a lively contemporary atmosphere, making it a must-visit for history enthusiasts and culture seekers.

AVIGNON The City of Popes in Picturesque Provence

Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.

ACTIVE Discover Avignon by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:

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 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 live entertainment on board.

EVENING CRUISE TO ARLES

Arles, France, is a historic city in Provence renowned for its Roman heritage and artistic legacy. The ancient amphitheater and the Roman Theater are standout landmarks. Arles also boasts charming streets and vibrant markets, reflecting its rich cultural life. Known for its connection to Vincent van Gogh, the city features scenes immortalized in his paintings. The blend of historical architecture, vibrant local culture, and picturesque landscapes makes Arles a captivating destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike.

ARLES A Brush with Genius

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 Amphitheater in this visually stunning city.

Take free time to stop at Le Café Van Gogh for a glass of wine.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ARLES

Arles, France, is a historic city in Provence renowned for its Roman heritage and artistic legacy. The ancient amphitheater and the Roman Theater are standout landmarks. Arles also boasts charming streets and vibrant markets, reflecting its rich cultural life. Known for its connection to Vincent van Gogh, the city features scenes immortalized in his paintings. The blend of historical architecture, vibrant local culture, and picturesque landscapes makes Arles a captivating destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts alike.

ARLES (DISEMBARKATION) Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Flights should not leave Marseille airport before 10 am.