Impressions of the Seine & Paris (Wine Cruise)

Board your ship in Le Havre for your Impressions of the Seine & Paris Celebration of Wine River Cruise.

There are several different choices of excursions, both during the morning and afternoon, depending on your interests. You can choose between an excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur, renowned for its picturesque harbor, and for being an inspirational site for Impressionist painters. Alternatively, you can also choose a full-day excursion to see the historic Normandy Beaches, where you may visit such sites as the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer and the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. Later in the day, for those not on the full-day excursion, join a city tour of the UNESCO-designated Le Havre, pedal through it on a guided bike tour or treat your palate on a guided tasting of several regional delicacies sourced from a local boulangerie based in Le Havre.

Excursions:

• Honfleur excursion OR Full-day Normandy Beaches
• Le Havre city tour OR Bike tour OR Market tasting

Visit Bayeux, with a medieval city center and the world-renowned Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion of England, followed by a visit to Caen, where one of the top sites is the Château de Caen, an 11th-century castle built by William the Conqueror. Or instead, admire the 30-acre Harcourt Arboretum, with its nearly 3,000 trees, as well as the palatial Château du Champ de Bataille and the commune of Le Bec-Hellouin, known for its 11th-century abbey. Later, enjoy a scenic cruise from Le Havre to Caudebec-en-Caux, where you can visit Museo Seine, a museum focusing on the history of the Seine River. Or, experience another local château, the Gothic Château d'Etelan, where you may see the medieval cellar, castle wall and guard house dating back to 1350.

Excursions:

• Full-day Bayeux and Caen tours OR Harcourt Arboretum, Château du Champ de Bataille and Le Bec Hellouin /dd> OR Scenic cruising OR Museo Seine OR Château d'Etelan visit

Spend the morning enjoying medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions. Join a walking tour past the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and see the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, as well as the Medieval Quarter and Great Clock. Alternatively, delve into the once “haunted” Château de Bonnemare, a 16th-century medieval castle housing a historic cider press, a kitchen rotisserie inspired by the designs of Leonardo da Vinci, and the inspiration for a tragic love poem written by Marie de France. Or go on the “Tastes of Normandy” tour, where you'll be treated to the delicious flavors of the region, including chocolate, macaron, Norman cheese and cider. Later in the day, explore Rouen on two wheels during a guided bike tour of the city.

Excursions:

• Medieval Rouen walking tour OR Tastes of Normandy OR Château de Bonnemare
• Bike tour

Take in the scenery on a scenic cruise before disembarking the ship to experience the colorful splendor of Claude Monet's magnificent gardens at his former home in Giverny, admiring the water lilies, Japanese bridges and graceful willow trees immortalized in his paintings. For a more active adventure, pedal through Vernon on a guided bike tour. Or journey to the beautiful Gardens d'Acquigny, boasting waterfalls, bridges, canals and a wide variety of trees and plant life. As part of your excursion, you will also venture within the borders of Vexin Francais Regional Nature Park to Château de la Roche-Guyon, a castle built against a cliff perched above the Seine that encompasses several centuries of architectural styles, with the ruins of its medieval tower dominating the village beneath it. Then, explore the city at your own pace during your free evening in Vernon.

Excursions:

• Scenic cruising
• Giverny tour and Château de Bizy with Cider and Calvados tasting OR Active walk to Giverny OR Bike tour OR Château d'Acquigny Garden Tour & Château de la Roche-Guyon
• Free Evening

Experience the world through your taste buds and join a tasting tour during which you'll get a chance to try the region's famous apple-based calvados, cider and cheese. During the afternoon, go on a city tour during which you may see some of Mantes-La-Jolie's beautiful religious structures, like the Gothic Notre Dame de Mantes, followed by a unique visit to a local bee farm. Or visit the distinctive Château d'Anet, an elegant Renaissance château built in the 16th century by King Henri II for his mistress, Diane de Poiters.

Excursions:

• Scenic cruising
• Calvados, cider and cheese tasting
• City tour with bee farm visit OR Château d'Anet

Experience the “City of Light” from a unique perspective when you board a modern river boat at the Port de la Bourdonnais, located on the banks of the Seine River near the Eiffel Tower. With exterior seating and viewing platforms, your one-hour cruise will be a dream come true as you glide along the river and underneath Paris's ornate bridges. From the boat, you will take in panoramic views of the city's iconic buildings and monuments, including the Musee d'Orsay and the Notre Dame Cathedral. You may choose instead to immerse yourself in a sensory experience at Paris's Musée du Vin wine museum.

Excursions:

• Bateaux Parisiens tour OR Musee du Vin

Disembark your ship in Paris and prepare for your return flight home.