Ultimate France

Arrive at Bordeaux-Mérignac International Airport. If you have arranged a Uniworld arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D)

The legendary Médoc region abounds with prestigious wine châteaux in a dizzying array of architectural styles, as well as miles of grapevines stretching to infinity. Take a scenic drive through the storied Médoc wine route, followed by a wine tasting at a beautiful wine estate. In the evening, a special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Fresh Médoc Oysters Tasting OR Médoc Châteaux Route with Private Wine Tasting OR Let's Go: Bike in the Médoc Vineyards

The French phrase “la douceur de vivre” is an accurate description for your time in Cadillac, known for its deliciously flavored dessert wines. Visit Château Royal de Cazeneuve, site of Henry IV's and Queen Margot's tempestuous love. Meet the owner around a glass of Sauternes in the reception hall.

Featured Excursions: Choice of Private Owner's Tour of Royal Château with Sauternes Toast OR The Colorful Life of Toulouse-Lautrec

Please Note: Sailing this stretch of the Garonne depends on the tides. If it is not possible to sail to Cadillac, you will be transferred to your destination via motorcoach.

The Route de la Corniche Fleurie…could this be the most beautiful road you've ever traveled? Find out today on the drive to Blaye Fortress, passing through one impossibly picturesque hamlet after another. Once you arrive, you'll discover the wonders of this historic fortress, a UNESCO-designated citadel that once protected Bordeaux from attacks by sea. (B/L/WD)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Bourg sur Gironde Stroll OR Intimate Experience with Local Wine & Art Connoisseurs OR Panoramas of Route de la Corniche Fleurie with Blaye Fortress OR Rendez-Vous Chez Rémy Martin

With Libourne as your base, travel to nearby breathtaking Saint-Émilion and immerse yourself more deeply in the region's history and wine culture. The medieval town of Saint-Émilion is an ideal place to linger. Wander its cobblestone lanes lined with wine shops and bakeries, and stop to admire the amazing rock-hewn church that extends beneath the city's streets. (B/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Saint-Émilion Walking Tour with Wine Tasting OR Grand Cru Tasting OR Grand Cru Château Picnic Lunch

Please Note: Today's lunch will be on your own; ask your Cruise Manager for recommendations on the best nearby restaurants.

France's rich agricultural tradition is the heart and soul of the region's exquisite cuisine—and what better way to get a taste for the freshest vegetables, cheeses, breads and fruits than with a visit to Libourne's lively farmers' market? In the evening, a special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you. (B/L/FD)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Nights Out: After Hours at the Bassins des Lumières OR Libourne Walking Tour with Farmer's Market

Discover Bordeaux's many charms today, either on foot with a local expert or on two wheels—the locals' preferred way to navigate the city's charming backstreets. You have a wonderful selection of active opportunities to see this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Do as the Locals Do: Bordeaux Walking Tour OR Let's Go: Bike Bordeaux Backstreets OR Retro Sidecar Bordeaux Tour OR Retro Sidecar Romantic Tour

Disembark the breathtaking S.S. Bon Voyage and transfer to Paris via high-speed TGV train. Your next ship, the magical S.S. Joie de Vivre, waits to carry you along the Seine on the next leg of your adventure.  Note: Ship schedule and order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Tour to port of destination by motorcoach and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to the impact of water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors. (B/D)

Today is a celebration of northern France's natural beauty, with an excursion to a splendid château and gardens situated in an equally grand setting, plus a chance to immerse yourself in the very landscapes that inspired Impressionist master Claude Monet. In the morning, choose between a scenic hike or a visit to the hilltop Château de La Roche-Guyon, which is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers sweeping views over the Seine.

Later, explore the beautiful gardens of Monet. You'll have the opportunity to take in the French countryside on your way there with an invigorating bike ride, or opt to arrive by coach instead. (B/L/WD)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Château de La Roche-Guyon OR Let's Go: Hike on the Crests Trail OR Monet's Gardens at Giverny OR Let's Go: Bike Ride from Vernon to Giverny

Please Note: Giverny will be closed during the March and November cruise departure dates. This evening, a special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Walk in the footsteps of greatness in Normandy's medieval capital, a city with a historic quarter that remains amazingly intact. From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious. The roll call of famous people who lived or died in Rouen is long and varied—Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, Gustave Flaubert, and Claude Monet are among them. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Nights Out: Private Concert at the Rouen Cathedral OR Rouen Walking Tour, the Dukes of Normandy's Capital OR Camembert Cheese Farm OR Mont Saint Michel - Wonder of the Western World

Caudebec-en-Caux, a lovely little town on the right bank of the Seine Estuary, is your base for one of two very different excursions. You could drive through the beautiful Calvados countryside to Honfleur, a delightful seaside harbor and city of painters, or head to the windy cliffs of Étretat for a game of golf. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Honfleur Walking Tour OR Let's Go: Golfing in Étretat OR St. Wandrille - Silent Monks & Monastery

There are moments when we travel that move us on an otherworldly level—experiences that stir a profound emotional connection. The Normandy beaches certainly have that effect. On your full-day outing, you'll visit Normandy's beaches, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Commonwealth, or Canadian beaches. After, partake in a private memorial ceremony for a sentimental remembrance of Operation Overlord. (B/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Normandy Beaches: Highlights of British & Commonwealth Sites OR Normandy Beaches: Highlights of Canadian Sites OR Normandy Beaches: Highlights of American Sites

How did France's rulers live over the centuries? Step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles, the lavish palace built by the Sun King, to find out. A special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. (B/L/FD)

Featured Excursion: Versailles Palace Secret Apartments

Whether you're a first-time visitor to the “City of Light” or you've been here many times before, there's something for everyone today in Paris. Enjoy a panoramic overview of the city, or join a local expert for a walk through two much-loved neighborhoods. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Paris City Tour OR Paris Walking Tour of the Latin Quarter OR Moulin Rouge OR Retro Sidecar Montmartre Discovery OR Parisian Gourmet Tour OR Musée du Louvre OR Retro Sidecar Illuminations Tour

You'll transfer from the magical S.S. Joie de Vivre cruise ship in Paris to the striking S.S. Catherine in Lyon via high-speed TGV train for the second half of this fabulous grand tour. Once you've settled into your new home, you'll have some time to explore delightful Lyon, which is nestled alongside the Saône River.

Ancient Lyon is a city of tantalizing contrasts, from Roman roots to stunning modern architecture and plenty of Renaissance flair in between. There's much to explore here, from the city's bike paths to the silk weavers' secret passageways. While you're in town, you might like to have lunch on your own at one of the many traditional bouchons that proliferate in the epicenter of French gastronomy. A special Captain's Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. (B/L/WD)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Lyon Panoramic Tour with Traboules Visit OR Silk Weavers Walking Tour OR Let's Go: Lyon Peninsula Bike Tour

The pace of life is decidedly more relaxed in Burgundy, where endless rows of grapes hang heavy on the vine. The capital of the region's wine trade, Beaune is renowned for its history, beauty, and highly prized wine, as well as its medieval-era hospital—the Hospices de Beaune. (B/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Burgundy Landscapes, Beaune, and the Hospices OR Château de Rully Wine Tasting & Lunch

If you love fine wine, you'll love the twin villages of Tournon and Tain-l'Hermitage. Tournon may be a small town, but stirring events took place here: A castle was raised on the hilltop in the 10th century to protect the region, and new fortifications were added over the centuries, including two “new” towers built to defend against Protestant attacks in the 16th century. You'll see the handsome houses constructed by wealthy merchants and garrison officers when you walk through the Rue de Doux area, and you'll pass the 14th-century church and the oldest secondary school in France. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Tournon and Tain-l'Hermitage Twin Villages Stroll with Wine Tasting OR Let's Go: Hermitage Terrace Vineyards Hike with Wine Tasting OR Premium Wine Tasting on the Hermitage Hill

An enchanting village where time seems to have stopped centuries ago, Viviers has a long and storied past that goes back more than 1,600 years—and a splendid architectural heritage to match. At one time, Viviers was divided along religious lines—the clergy lived in the upper part of the town, the laity in the lower part. Your exploration of the town will take you through both parts, as you begin at the crest and make your way to the riverbank. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Village Day: Ardèches OR Truffle Farm & Chateauneuf du Pape Wine Tasting

The walled city of Avignon is one of the most fascinating towns in southern France, with a host of historic gems to explore—including the fortress residence of rebellious popes who broke from Rome and once lived and ruled here. You'll see the Palace of the Popes and much more today, or have the chance to visit a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct. A special Captain's Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening. (B/L/FD)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Avignon Walking Tour with Palace of the Popes OR Pont du Gard Roman Aqueduct Visit OR Let's Go: Biking to the Chartreuse OR Cooking Lesson at La Mirande OR Let's Go: Kayak Ride on the Gardon River OR Collector's Island

Explore a sun-drenched Provençal town today with an allure all its own. Known for its remarkable Roman ruins, Arles so inspired Van Gogh that he painted some 200 paintings there. Arles has existed since the sixth century BC, when the ancient Greeks founded it and named it Theline. It was here that the Romans built their first bridge across the Rhône River, creating a vital overland route between Italy and Spain. (B/L/D)

Featured Excursions: Choice of Arles Walking Tour OR Olive Oil Tasting with Les Baux de Provence

Disembark the ship. If you have arranged a Uniworld departure transfer, you will be transferred to the Marseille Airport for your flight home. (B)