Paris
Paris 03/19/2025
Arrive in Paris, romance capital of the world. Transfer from the airport to your ship, docked in the heart of the city, just a short stroll from the Eiffel Tower (ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase). After boarding, take free time to explore Paris, or join our "welcome walk" to stretch your legs and get oriented. (Dinner),
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03/19/2025 |
03/19/2025 |
Paris
Paris 03/20/2025
After breakfast, embark on a tour of this dazzling city and marvel at its most remarkable sights, including the iconic Eiffel Tower. Take in the École Militaire (Military Museum), Orsay Museum, and Latin Quarter, and resilient Notre Dame Cathedral. Then, drive past the Louvre and Opera House and along the famed Champs-Élysées. This afternoon, you may join an optional tour to explore Montmartre Hill and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, or sample the delights of French cuisine during a food tour. Return on board for dinner and start your cruise on the Seine this evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/20/2025 |
03/20/2025 |
La Roche-Guyon
La Roche-Guyon 03/21/2025
Arrive in La Roche-Guyon before breakfast and enjoy a morning at your leisure to explore. The village is officially classified as one of France's most beautiful; you will see why as you stroll through the town's narrow streets lined with picturesque houses with wood-paneled façades. After lunch, join an included tour to the town of Giverny, where Claude Monet resided from 1883 until his death in 1926. Visit the beautiful gardens and charming stone farmhouse where he lived and worked; see the water garden with the recognizable Japanese bridge, water lilies, wisteria, and azaleas that inspired many of his masterpieces (Monet gardens not available before April 1 or after November 1; a visit to the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, favored by Van Gogh and other artists, will be substituted). Dinner is served onboard. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/21/2025 |
03/21/2025 |
Rouen
Rouen 03/22/2025
Indulge in leisurely morning cruising along the Seine. Spend the afternoon in the medieval city of Rouen, preeminent capital of Normandy. Begin with a walking tour through the center of Old Town, where you see the spectacular Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, often painted by Claude Monet, and the famous Gros-Horloge, a 16th-century astronomical clock. As you walk among the half-timbered storybook buildings, allow yourself to be transported back through time; see the 14th-century courthouse where Joan of Arc was sentenced to death and the nearby Market Square where she was martyred. Use your free time to discover more of Rouen or visit one of its museums of art or antiquities. Dine onboard or at a sidewalk café. Your ship remains docked overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
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Le Havre: D-Day Beaches - 9 hours
The numerous monuments and memorials on the Normandy coastal area bear witness to the fierce fighting that took place here during and after the D-Day Landings of World War II. Your driver-guide meets you after you have departed your cruise ship and takes you on a full-day tour of the American Sector to visit some of the most important sites of this pivotal point in the war.
Your day starts on the famous coastline at Pointe du Hoc, which the US Rangers scaled, demonstrating a triumph of planning, training and execution by elite and well-led troops. Further eastwards along the coast is the sector known as Omaha Beach, also captured by invading American forces, and where you can examine several sites from both the German and US perspectives. You also hear about Operation Aquatint, a failed 1942 British Commando raid on the area. Your day ends with a poignant visit to the US Military Cemetery and Interpretation Centre at Colleville-sur-Mer, the final resting place of over 9300 US soldiers located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. You are transferred back to your cruise ship from here.
Highlights:
- Visit Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach; two of the most significant D-Day sites
Tour Duration: 9 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local driver-guide for 9 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
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03/22/2025 |
03/22/2025 |
Rouen
Rouen 03/23/2025
After breakfast, begin your full-day tour to the historic beaches of Normandy. Visit World War II landmarks, such as Omaha Beach, the American Military Cemetery and the Caen Memorial Museum. Alternatively, take a tour of Bayeux, where you can admire the magnificent tapestry that chronicles the pre-Battle of Hastings events. Afterward, head to Normandy's coast and enjoy free time at Juno Beach after your visit to the museum; then visit the Pegasus Museum. Return to your ship for dinner and relax on board, or take an evening stroll through Rouen. (B,L,D),
Optional Private Excursions
Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!
-
Le Havre: D-Day Beaches - 9 hours
The numerous monuments and memorials on the Normandy coastal area bear witness to the fierce fighting that took place here during and after the D-Day Landings of World War II. Your driver-guide meets you after you have departed your cruise ship and takes you on a full-day tour of the American Sector to visit some of the most important sites of this pivotal point in the war.
Your day starts on the famous coastline at Pointe du Hoc, which the US Rangers scaled, demonstrating a triumph of planning, training and execution by elite and well-led troops. Further eastwards along the coast is the sector known as Omaha Beach, also captured by invading American forces, and where you can examine several sites from both the German and US perspectives. You also hear about Operation Aquatint, a failed 1942 British Commando raid on the area. Your day ends with a poignant visit to the US Military Cemetery and Interpretation Centre at Colleville-sur-Mer, the final resting place of over 9300 US soldiers located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. You are transferred back to your cruise ship from here.
Highlights:
- Visit Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach; two of the most significant D-Day sites
Tour Duration: 9 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Inclusions:
• Private transport by luxury car or minivan
• An expert local driver-guide for 9 hours
• Entrance fees to all sights and museums
• All taxes
Exclusions:
• All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
• Gratuities
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03/23/2025 |
03/23/2025 |
Les Andelys
Les Andelys 03/24/2025
Arrive this morning in the small town of Les Andelys, known for its imposing castle, Château Gaillard, built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart. Join a guided walk to this masterpiece of medieval architecture before returning to your ship. Enjoy scenic sailing this afternoon as you cruise toward Paris. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/24/2025 |
03/24/2025 |
Le Pecq
Le Pecq 03/25/2025
After breakfast, disembark for a visit to Château de Malmaison, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final days in France. Along with the Tuileries, this elegant manor house, purchased by the emperor's wife Josephine in 1799, served as the seat of Napoleon's French government from 1800 to 1802. This afternoon, join an optional tour to the luxurious Palace of Versailles, former home of Louis XIV. This evening, you can take in the illuminated sights of Paris during a panoramic drive and cruise. Your ship remains docked in Paris overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/25/2025 |
03/25/2025 |
Château de Malmaison
Château de Malmaison 03/25/2025
After breakfast, disembark for a visit to Château de Malmaison, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final days in France. Along with the Tuileries, this elegant manor house, purchased by the emperor's wife Josephine in 1799, served as the seat of Napoleon's French government from 1800 to 1802. This afternoon, join an optional tour to the luxurious Palace of Versailles, former home of Louis XIV. This evening, you can take in the illuminated sights of Paris during a panoramic drive and cruise. Your ship remains docked in Paris overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/25/2025 |
03/25/2025 |
Paris
Paris 03/25/2025
After breakfast, disembark for a visit to Château de Malmaison, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final days in France. Along with the Tuileries, this elegant manor house, purchased by the emperor's wife Josephine in 1799, served as the seat of Napoleon's French government from 1800 to 1802. This afternoon, join an optional tour to the luxurious Palace of Versailles, former home of Louis XIV. This evening, you can take in the illuminated sights of Paris during a panoramic drive and cruise. Your ship remains docked in Paris overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/25/2025 |
03/25/2025 |
Paris
Paris 03/26/2025
After breakfast, disembark and enjoy a leisurely train ride from Paris through the countryside of east central France to Lyon to board your second ship, where a Welcome Dinner is served. (Breakfast, Dinner),
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03/26/2025 |
03/26/2025 |
Cruise Ends (Debarkation)
Cruise Ends (Debarkation) 03/26/2025
After breakfast, disembark and enjoy a leisurely train ride from Paris through the countryside of east central France to Lyon to board your second ship, where a Welcome Dinner is served. (Breakfast, Dinner),
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03/26/2025 |
03/26/2025 |
Cruise Starts (Embarkation)
Cruise Starts (Embarkation) 03/26/2025
After breakfast, disembark and enjoy a leisurely train ride from Paris through the countryside of east central France to Lyon to board your second ship, where a Welcome Dinner is served. (Breakfast, Dinner),
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03/26/2025 |
03/26/2025 |
Lyon
Lyon 03/26/2025
After breakfast, disembark and enjoy a leisurely train ride from Paris through the countryside of east central France to Lyon to board your second ship, where a Welcome Dinner is served. (Breakfast, Dinner),
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03/26/2025 |
03/26/2025 |
Lyon
Lyon 03/27/2025
After breakfast, tour the city of Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin with a drive to the top of Fourvière Hill for amazing views of the city. Continue with a guided visit to the Basilica of Notre Dame and drive through town past the magnificent St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice. Then take a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon (Old Town), and use your free time to shop for souvenirs or sample some of the fine French cuisine for which Lyon is world-famous. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/27/2025 |
03/27/2025 |
Lyon
Lyon 03/28/2025
After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where viticultural tradition runs deep and enjoy a tasting in one of Beaujolais's famous cellars. Return to your ship for lunch and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. As always, your program director can help you plan your free time. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/28/2025 |
03/28/2025 |
Beaujolais Wine Region
Beaujolais Wine Region 03/28/2025
After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where viticultural tradition runs deep and enjoy a tasting in one of Beaujolais's famous cellars. Return to your ship for lunch and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. As always, your program director can help you plan your free time. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/28/2025 |
03/28/2025 |
Vienne
Vienne 03/29/2025
This morning, take a walking tour of Vienne, a beautiful town with an ancient Roman past. Visit the Temple of Augustus and Livia, the Roman amphitheater and the Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice; then spend some time discovering more of this engaging riverside town on your own. In the afternoon, enjoy the rolling vine-clad banks of the river as you sail through its wide meanders to Tournon. After dinner, enjoy a stroll along the riverbanks under the plane trees. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/29/2025 |
03/29/2025 |
Tournon
Tournon 03/30/2025
Board the Train de l'Ardèche this morning for a locomotive ride through the deep gorges of the Ardèche plateau, cut by the Doux River. Return to your ship and enjoy lunch onboard as we cruise to Viviers, an engaging little town in a mountainous setting. After dinner, enjoy an evening stroll through Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/30/2025 |
03/30/2025 |
Viviers
Viviers 03/30/2025
Board the Train de l'Ardèche this morning for a locomotive ride through the deep gorges of the Ardèche plateau, cut by the Doux River. Return to your ship and enjoy lunch onboard as we cruise to Viviers, an engaging little town in a mountainous setting. After dinner, enjoy an evening stroll through Old Town with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/30/2025 |
03/30/2025 |
Arles
Arles 03/31/2025
Disembark after breakfast and take a walking tour of Arles with its diverse architectural highlights. Experience the city's vibrant colors and striking quality of light that have inspired artists. Arles is also the site of some impressive Roman ruins, including Les Arènes, an arena that seats 20,000 and is still in use, as well as Romanesque monuments such as the Church of Saint-Trophime, completed in the 15th century. Return onboard for lunch followed by an afternoon on your own to explore or shop for handcrafted gifts. As always, your program director can help you plan your free time. Dinner is served as you depart. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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03/31/2025 |
03/31/2025 |
Avignon
Avignon 04/01/2025
This morning, set out on a guided walk of Avignon, nicknamed "City of Popes" because it was home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Stroll through the historic center, stop at the picturesque Pont d'Avignon and walk the Place de l'Horloge. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour through this rambling maze of Gothic architecture that served as papal residence, fortress, church, and palace. You can join the optional tour to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, visiting the vineyards and tasting the famous wine. Lunch and dinner are served on board. Your ship remains docked overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner),
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04/01/2025 |
04/01/2025 |
Avignon
Avignon 04/02/2025
After breakfast, disembark and proceed to Marseille Airport for your return flight (ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase). (Breakfast),
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04/02/2025 |
04/02/2025 |
