Impressions of the Seine & Paris with St. Malo (Wine Cruise)

Check into the Paris Airport hotel and prepare for your pre-cruise land extension

MALO, FRANCE. Depart Paris and transfer to St. Malo. En route, visit Chartres Cathedral, an elaborate and beautifully-designed Roman Catholic church that serves as the seat of the Diocese of Chartres. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral is considered a masterpiece and the high point of French Gothic art. (B)

Excursions:

• Transfer to St. Malo with a visit to Chartres Cathedral

MALO. Explore the walled city of St. Malo, the history of which is steeped in piracy. Gaze at turquoise waters and such sites as the castle and its towers, the Fort National, partially built by famed military architect Vauban, and the cathedral of Saint-Vincent. You'll also venture to Dinard, with its Belle Èpoque villas, as well as to Dinan, one of Brittany's most beautiful and best preserved towns, known for its art galleries and crafts. (B)

Excursions:

• St. Malo, Dinard and Dinan tours

MALO. Discover the magical island monastery of Mont St. Michel, built by the same Italian architect who designed Fècamp Abbey in Normandy. Appearing as though out of a fairytale, Mont St. Michel served as the artistic inspiration for the Disney movie about Rapunzel, Tangled. (B)

Excursions:

• Mont St. Michel excursion

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

Excursions:

• Transfer to St. Malo with Fourgères visit

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

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. (B/L/D)

Excursions:

• Bateaux Parisiens tour OR Musee du Vin

Disembark your ship in Paris and check in to your hotel. Discover some of the lesser-known treasures of Paris on your guided tour. A world stage for art, fashion, gastronomy, culture and much more, the “City of Light” has a story to tell at every corner. Legendary Montmartre – the Bohemian heart and soul of Parisian chic – has long been a siren call to artists and revolutionary thinkers. Enjoy learning more about the premier artists' enclave that once was home to Pissarro and Jongkind. (B)

Excursions:

• Atelier des Lumières

Today, explore the Atelier-Lumieres, Paris's “Workshop of Lights,” a uniquely immersive digital art experience. Utilizing 140 video projectors and a state-of-the-art sound system, guests are treated to an unforgettable colorful multimedia exhibition of famed artists' works that will give you a new appreciation for their talent. Past exhibitions have celebrated the art of Klimt and Van Gogh. (B)

Excursions:

• Hidden Paris tour and Montmartre

Bid farewell to Paris as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)