Ultimate Country Roads and Rivers of France

Meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel before joining a Welcome Dinner at a classic local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes.

Journey through the vine-clad scenery of the Champagne region. Admire the green shoots in spring, full summer foliage or the russet autumnal hues, this is a glorious region throughout the year. Visit the city of Troyes and admire its medieval Old Town with its colourful half-timbered houses while sipping a glass of champagne.

On arrival in Dijon, an orientation by your Travel Director reveals the charming architecture and history of the city.

Enjoy the Burgundy capital of Dijon. Its many handsome buildings recall the time when the Dukes of Burgundy were more powerful than the Kings of France. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the wine capital of Burgundy, Beaune? In the evening, don't miss the chance of an optional Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in the Premier Cru village of Fixin.

A scenic symphony awaits you as you ascend into the high Alps and climb towards Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest mountain. Your destination is the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix. You could take in panoramic views of the mountain peaks and valley below from the Chamonix cable car or explore this mountain resort.

In the evening you may choose to try a pierrade at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet. This Optional Experience provides the chance to try a typical regional meal, cooked on a traditional table barbecue.

In the morning, embark on a beautiful journey to the lakeside town of Annecy, dramatically situated between lake and mountains, it's a medieval spectacle and a summer getaway for the French and the Swiss locals. Enjoy free time for lunch in Little Venice, aptly named for the network of canals criss-crossing through the Old Town. Explore the city's many lovely bridges at your leisure.

Continue on to your hotel in Grenoble. This evening, savour a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

Glorious mountain scenery will be yours to enjoy as you travel along a spectacular route, used by the Emperor Napoleon when he returned from his first exile to try to take the throne of France once more. Continue through Provence to the French Riviera to reach the elegant resort of Nice.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. In the evening, why not walk through old town Nice, ending in Cours Saleya where dinner is at your leisure at one of the many lovely bistros?

Wake up ready to rub shoulders with the jet-set on the glamorous Côte d'Azur. Unlock the secrets of the French perfume industry with a visit to a perfumery, where fragrance experts waft exclusive scents from stoppered bottles. Then enjoy a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco and with Insight Choice enter the Oceanographic Museum dedicated to the concept of the Mediterranean Science Commission or visit the Royal Palace of Monaco and see Monaco Cathedral, housing the tomb of Princess Grace.

The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera at your own pace. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit the medieval village of Eze and its hill-top Botanical Gardens for a spectacular view of the coastline?

Visit the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence, perched high above the Riviera beaches. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and views of mountains and sea. Enjoy a lesson in the French sport of pétanque. Steady your hand and get ready to test your newfound skills as you take part in a game, completed by a glass of pastis, a French apéritif. Continue to Aix-en-Provence to see the sumptuous mansions lining the Cours Mirabeau and on to your hotel.

Marvel at the ancient Roman aqueduct, Pont du Gard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before exploring the storied streets of Avignon, home to the seat of the Pope and Christianity in the 14th century. Move on to a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at a local olive estate, where you'll stroll through scenic groves. Learn about sustainable olive oil production from tree to table and indulge in a tasting of artisanal oils where you'll learn to differentiate the rich palette of aromas, colours and textures.

Return to your hotel in Aix-en-Provence for a free evening to relax and unwind or explore the city's vibrant cafes and boutiques.

Begin your day in Arles, once home to the Romans and later a muse to Vincent Van Gogh, Arles' meandering streets and classical monuments reveal layers of artistic and architectural heritage. Stroll past the Arena and the Roman Theatre, where echoes of antiquity vibrate in every stone. From here, cross the fertile Languedoc region before journeying inland to the fortified town of Carcassonne. Travellers are often amazed at their first sight of this medieval gem, known for its UNESCO-listed fortress with complete ramparts and a storybook keep.

Continue to Albi, the birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec, where your Travel Director will provide an orientation of key landmarks, including views of the museum dedicated to the artist and the cathedral. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Enjoy a full day at leisure, to relax and soak up the atmosphere of Albi. This evening savour a delicious dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients at a local restaurant.

Stop in Cahors, famous for its Black Wine, and see the Pont Valentré. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the open air market - full of fresh, seasonal produce and local delicacies, it's an experience to delight all of the senses.

Travel to Rocamadour and enjoy free time to explore this medieval town perched on a cliffside above the Alzou River and known as a resting place for pilgrims travelling through France on the Camino de Santiago to Spain. Enjoy a delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner, prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with wines from the region.

Start the day with a morning drive into the Valley of the Dordogne to visit Lascaux II, where the world-famous prehistoric cave paintings have been faithfully reproduced. Continue to the beautiful town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, its medieval core blessed with fine golden limestone houses. Relax this evening in the beautiful surroundings of the Dordogne region while you dine at the hotel.

Travel onwards to immerse yourself in the beautiful city of Paris where on arrival you are free to explore this fascinating city as you wish. As evening descends, the City of Light lives up to its name as the monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour don't miss the chance to join an Optional Experience to one of the world-famous cabaret shows.

During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the Luxor obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Élysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. You are in for a memorable evening with a delicious dinner of excellent French cuisine and wine to toast your journey through France.

Today, bid farewell to your journey through the French countryside as you transfer to Trafalgar Harmonie, your home on the River Seine. Settle into your cabin and take a moment to relax, perhaps in the lounge or bar, as the ship prepares to set sail. This evening, join your Experience Director and fellow travellers for dinner onboard. Share a toast to the journey ahead as your Paris river cruise gets underway, with the city as your backdrop.

Cruise into Vernon and travel to Giverny, where you'll visit Claude Monet's house and gardens. Explore the lily pond, green bridge and flowerbeds that inspired his work, and browse the village's galleries and shops. Continue to Château Gaillard, a clifftop fortress built by Richard the Lionheart. Then walk down to Les Andelys for an orientation with your Experience Director. You'll have time here to stroll the riverside lanes, stop for coffee or a pastry, or find the perfect angle for a photo of the half-timbered buildings and hilltop chateau before returning to the ship for dinner.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Visit Giverny House and Gardens OR See Château Gaillard and Les Andelys

Arrive in Caudebec-en-Caux, a historic riverside town once valued for its strategic position on the Seine. Today offers a moment for quiet reflection — a chance to pay tribute, trace family connections and stand on the shores where history turned.

From here, travel to Normandy's D-Day beaches to explore the sites where Allied forces came ashore in 1944. You may choose to visit the American sector, with stops at Utah and Omaha beaches, Sainte-Mère-Église and the Airborne Museum, where the story of the paratroopers is brought to life through original artefacts, soundscapes and a walk-through replica of a C-47 aircraft. Alternatively, follow the Commonwealth route, visiting the Juno Beach Centre and Arromanches Museum, and stopping at key locations linked to the Canadian landings, British evacuations and ANZAC contributions.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Visit Normandy Beach OR Visit the American Landing Beaches OR Visit the Commonwealth Landing Beaches

Arrive in Rouen this morning, once the second city of medieval France and now a centre of Norman heritage. Today, choose between a full-day Optional Experience to Mont-Saint-Michel or time to explore Rouen. If you're staying in Rouen, join your Experience Director for a walking orientation of the old town, known for its timber-framed buildings, gothic churches and one of the largest collections of preserved medieval architecture in Europe. Hear the story of Joan of Arc, martyr, military leader and Patron Saint of France, who was tried and executed here. Visit the cathedral, stroll through market squares and walk streets that have shaped the city's identity for centuries.

In the afternoon, explore independently or join an Optional Experience that combines regional tastings with stories of the city's culinary traditions, cultural identity and local producers. Return to the ship this evening for dinner and live entertainment.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Old Town Rouen Orientation OR Day Trip to Mont-Saint-Michel OR Tastes of Normandy

Arrive in La Roche-Guyon, a village set below chalk cliffs along the Seine. Here, you'll visit Château de La Roche-Guyon, a fortress carved into the rock with rooms, bunkers and a medieval tower overlooking the valley. Walk through the gardens that stretch down to the river and explore the chateau's layered history. If you'd like to arrive on foot, you can choose to join a guided crest trail hike earlier in the morning, taking a forested route with open views before meeting the group inside.

For lunch, head to a nearby cider farm for your Be My Guest experience. Tour the orchard, learn how traditional cider is made and enjoy a relaxed, seasonal meal.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Hike the Crest Trail to Château de La Roche-Guyon OR Visit Château de La Roche-Guyon and Gardens OR Visit a Cider Farm for Lunch

This morning, choose between two ways to explore this region of France. You can visit Château de Malmaison, once home to Joséphine Bonaparte, and explore rooms filled with Empire-style furnishings and personal artefacts from the Napoleonic period. Or you could join an artist's walk through Auvers-sur-Oise, the village that was Van Gogh's home and final resting place. Begin at Auberge Ravoux where he stayed, see the church he painted and walk through the fields he captured in his last works.

Return to the ship for lunch before an afternoon of sailing. As you cruise your way into Paris this afternoon, watch small towns and the riverbanks drift by.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Visit Château de Malmaison OR Walk through Van Gogh's Auvers-sur-Oise

This morning, choose to join an Optional Experience to the Palace of Versailles with a Local Specialist, exploring the royal apartments and formal gardens. Alternatively, stay in Paris and take part in one of two included experiences: a panoramic orientation tour with your Cruise Director, or a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience focused on the city's ongoing transformation through sustainable urban planning.

In the afternoon, explore at your own pace or join an Optional Experience such as a foodie walk through local markets and neighbourhoods. You might stroll the banks of the Seine, admire the facades of Haussmann-era buildings or step inside a church with centuries of stories carved into its stone. Pause at a market stall, wander through leafy squares or simply let your feet guide you through the capital. Tonight, take your pick of Paris after dark with Optional Experiences including dinner in Montmartre or a classic Parisian cabaret show.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Paris Orientation Panoramic Tour OR Paris Reimagined: History to Harmony OR Visit Versailles Palace and Gardens OR Paris Foodie Tour OR Parisian Lifestyle Stroll OR Montmartre at Night with Dinner OR Parisian Dinner and Cabaret Show

Disembark your Seine River cruise this morning and say farewell to your captain and crew. After a final breakfast onboard, transfer to the airport for your journey home or choose to extend your stay and spend more time exploring Paris.