CRUISE CONNECTIONS CANADA

Paris to Normandy's Landing – June 12, June 19, 2012

8 days from Paris to Paris

FREE Roundtrip Air from Toronto and Montreal

FREE French Balcony Upgrade

FREE Shore Excursions and more...

Low Airfare from $99/person available from other Canadian gateways

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Cruise Overview

Combine time in France’s marvelous capital with discoveries of quaint villages along the Seine and in the picturesque Normandy region. Embark in Paris, where your vacation begins with sightseeing of some of the famous sites, including the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Then set sail and choose between a visit of Vincent van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s elegant Château de Malmaison. Next up: your choice of a guided visit of Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or magnificent Bizy Castle. On to Joan of Arc’s historic Rouen, where you choose between an included excursion to the poignant Normandy landing beaches or a fascinating “Taste of Normandy.” Continue to Les Andelys with the Château Gaillard, built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, and enjoy free time to explore this medieval town on your own. Return to Paris, where you’ll disembark and conclude your exciting vacation!

Meals

Superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including a welcome reception, Captain’s reception and farewell dinner; quality wines from Europe’s most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

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Day 0 - Fly FREE from Toronto or Montreal to Paris.  From Paris airport, you will be transferred to the pier for your cruise embarkation.   

Day 1 - Arrive in Paris, France (Embarkation)

Welcome to Paris, France’s capital on the River Seine, the “City of Light,” where romance fills the air. This afternoon, board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a welcome reception. (Dinner)

Day 2 - Paris

Paris’ famous sights are living history. Included city sightseeing shows you magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its glass pyramid as a contrast to its ancient architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, Opéra, Madeleine, Champs Elysées, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural miracle of its age. The city is well known for its colorful nightlife, including some of the world’s most famous cabaret shows. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3 - Paris–Conflans

After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing morning on the Sky Deck as your ship slips its moorings and glides gently down the River Seine, passing through suburban Paris. This afternoon, dock at Conflans—and now the choice is yours: either join our guided excursion to Auvers-Sur-Oise, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died, or Napoleon and Josephine’s Chateau de Malmaison just outside Paris. Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it “the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation.” (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4 - Vernon

This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens at GIVERNY or a visit of Bizy Castle with its magnificent courtyard. There’s still time to stroll through this delightful city on your own before your ship departs for Rouen. Relax on board this afternoon or take in a pastry-making Demonstration. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5 - Rouen

Rouen is the capital of Upper Normandy and an important commercial city, perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned, and burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Enjoy the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, and the Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. The splendid gothic Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world and the subject of a series of Claude Monet’s paintings. The afternoon is free for you to explore on your own, or you can join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur or to the busy port city of Le Havre with its contemporary architecture. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6 - Rouen

Make your choice today of an included excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches —with poignant sites such as Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery—or a “Taste of Normandy” for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important products are dairy, apples, and grain. Camembert cheese is a specialty, as is Calvados, a strong apple brandy. Thoroughbred horses are also reared here. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner )

Day 7 - Les Andelys

The most dramatic sight along the Seine is imposing Château Gaillard at Les Andelys. Built by England’s King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, the château is truly a masterpiece of medieval military architecture. Explore on your own and enjoy this last day in France in this delightful small town. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8 - Paris (Disembarkation)

All good things must come to an end.  Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)

You will be transferred from the cruise terminal to the airport for your FREE flight back to Toronto or Montreal. We hope you enjoyed your voyage. It will be time to say goodbye for now but we look forward to welcoming you back on your next cruise.