Compare Paris & Normandy Highlights by G Adventures vs Exploring the Seine from Paris to Normandy With Your Grandchild by Road Scholar

Day 1 Paris

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting. We recommended arriving a day or two early to fully explore this world-renowned city. The "City of Lights" is unlike any other place on earth. Known for its glorious monuments, museums, and markets, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, Montmartre to the Marais, Paris has something for everyone. Discover for yourself Paris’ “je ne sais quoi.”

Day 2 Paris/Bayeux

Travel to Giverny for an enchanting visit to artist Claude Monet's garden, inspiration for his famed series of water lily paintings and declared one of National Geographic's “top 10 most magnificent gardens in the world.” Continue to the pretty port town of Honfleur for a CEO led walk and some free time in this historic harbour where the Seine River meets the English Channel. This evening, arrive in Bayeux and enjoy a dinner at a local crêperie.

Depart Paris for Upper Normandy and the quaint village of Giverny. Impressionist painter Claude Monet lived and worked here from 1883 until his death in 1926. Monet felt that his flower and water gardens here were his greatest works of art and to this day, they are meticulously maintained. These served as inspiration for his celebrated water-lily series and have been named by National Geographic as one of the "10 most magnificent gardens in the world." Honfleur sits on the estuary where the River Seine meets the English Channel and is considered one of the prettiest port towns in France. Its quaint harbour and historic buildings have always been a draw for artists, including Monet.

Day 3 Bayeux

Delve into World War II history alongside a recognized war historian. Gain insights during a lecture on the Allied invasion of Normandy, and examine and handle wartime relics such as vintage weapons, uniforms, and maps at a local museum. Then board a transport vehicle and head to Secqueville-en-Bessin War Cemetery to learn about the significance of poppies—the ultimate emblem of military sacrifice. This afternoon, conjure scenes of the D-Day landing at notable Normandy sites including Omaha Beach, the cratered cliff-top at Pointe du Hoc, and the American cemetery and memorial.

Take in scenes of the D-Day landing which had a pivotal role in the history of the world. Visit the moving memorials and beaches and learn about the impact this event had on the direction of the Second World War. The Battle of Normandy Historical Area is considered an open-air museum and includes all the sites, museums and memorials associated with D-Day and the invasion. Old army bunkers and war relics still exist along the five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword, while museums and memorials throughout the region stand as forceful reminders of this decisive period of WWII. Nearly 30 cemeteries (including American, British, Canadian, French, German and Polish) hold the remains of almost 100,000 young soldiers who never returned from their service in Normandy. Today these memorials offer quiet space for personal reflection for every visitor, young or old, regardless of nationality.

Day 4 Bayeux

Go on an excursion to Mont-Saint-Michel, an island commune off the coast of Normandy. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the medieval fortress dates to the 6th century and is considered one of Europe’s most stunning and imposing sites. Get your bearings on an CEO led orientation walk and then explore on your own. Opt to visit the abbey, monastery, or museums, or simply wander the winding lanes and cobblestone streets.

Day 5 Bayeux

Enjoy a free day to explore Bayeux and its medieval centre. Amble along its quaint streets, taking in the local scene at shops and cafés. Then opt to visit the 11th-century Cathedral of Bayeux, a Norman-Romanesque architectural gem, and see the famed Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy.

Day 6 Bayeux/Paris

Depart for riverside Rouen and set out around the port city on foot. Discover the beautiful city centre, noted for its Gothic churches and medieval half-timbered houses, and hear about its place in history as the place where Joan of Arc was tried for heresy. Enjoy free time here before heading back to Paris to spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the City of Lights.

Rouen was an important city in the Roman era and Middle Ages, showcased by its historical (and beautiful) centre of Gothic churches and medieval half-timbered houses. it is most notable as the place where Joan of Arc was tried for heresy.

Day 7 Paris

Enjoy a CEO led orientation walk this morning in the medieval centre of Paris; the Île de la Cité. Opt to step inside Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic chapel that dazzles with 1,113 stained glass windows. Afterwards, indulge in a guided lunch presentation of French wine and cheese pairings, then take advantage of more free time to visit iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre.

Later this afternoon and evening, you are free to explore on your own to discover the “je ne sais quoi” of this stunning city. Opt to visit the Eiffel Tower, explore the city's outstanding museums and churches, float down the River Seine on a cruise, or simply people-watch.

Day 8 Paris

Depart at any time.

Day 1
Departures from the U.S.
In Flight

Day 2
Arrival and Welcome to Paris
Paris D Hotel Les Jardins du Marais
Morning: Arrivals at Charles de Gaulle airport and transfers to the program hotel in Paris. Please note that rooms are not generally available until early to mid-afternoon, so you should plan to drop off your luggage at the hotel and then take some time to explore Paris or relax and have a leisurely lunch (on your own). There are Paris maps available at the hotel, and your Group Leader and hotel staff will be present to provide recommendations and directions.

Lunch: On your own to explore local fare.

Afternoon: Check-in at hotel and have time to freshen up and relax before meeting for a welcome orientation and program briefing. We will gather in our private meeting room where the Group Leader will greet you with a warm welcome and introduce everyone. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, discuss responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. All routes, field trips, and excursions are subject to change as weather and river conditions may affect the itinerary. River conditions could affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of field trips and excursions without prior notice.

Dinner: Welcome dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 3
Montmartre / Paris Overview
Paris B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include walking up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement. Montmartre is on a hill; there is some walking uphill at a leisurely pace.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Depart on foot to Montmartre to walk the winding streets of this “village”. Montmartre and the Basilica of Sacré Coeur can be seen from many points in Paris. This butte (hillock) is a delightful area of village streets and steep stairways that suddenly rise from the Grands Boulevards. The Romano-Byzantine Basilica of the Sacred Heart dates to the late 1800’s. The interior is decorated in mosaic. The bell, named La Savoyarde is one of the world’s heaviest bells at 19 tons. Nearby the Place du Tertre (Painters Square) is very popular with tourists and street artists vying for the chance to paint their portraits. Poets, singers and artists were drawn to the area by its reputed Bohemian way of life. In the early days, they gathered in the cafés to share their works. This led to the tradition of the café-concert. The most famous of these, the Moulin Rouge, opened in 1889. Until the outbreak of World War II, La Butte remained the city’s artistic and literary center. We will end the morning with a treasure hunt.

Lunch: At a local Montmartre restaurant.

Afternoon: We will go on a field trip by coach for an overview of Paris. This excursion will drive by the Opera, Place Vendôme, Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, the Louvre Museum, The City Island and the Left Bank. Afterward, we will embark the river cruise ship.

Dinner: Welcome and ship orientation followed by dinner on board.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Paris: L'Île de la Cité and Eiffel Tower
Paris B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include use of the Paris Metro (subway) which has unavoidable stairs. Walking up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement, as well as walking and standing during visits.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: We will go on a field trip to the heart of the city, where Paris was founded, L'Île de la Cité. Discover the word's most famous cathedral, Notre Dame, as well as the stunning stained glass windows of the Sainte Chapelle.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: Explore the iconic symbol of modern Paris, the famous Eiffel Tower. The tower was built between 1887 and 1889 as the entrance arch for the World's Fair that marked the centennial celebration of the French Revolution. Enjoy a fantastic view of the city.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Monet's Giverny
Vernon B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include walking on pavement and gravel up to one mile.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Enjoy a lecture about Impressionism and Claude Monet in Giverny. With your Study Leader, learn the basics of the Impressionism movement and its artists, while the ship navigates along the Seine.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: Discover Claude Monet's gardens at Giverny and the stunning foiliage that inspired the great artist.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 6
Historic Rouen
Rouen B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include walking and standing up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Delight in a hands-on activity onboard to learn about French culture.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: Explore historic Rouen, its magnificent gothic cathedral where Monet studied and painted the effects of changing light, and its famous medieval half-timbered houses. Stroll the cobble stone street of the Big Clock to the Old Market Square and the site where Joan of Arc was martyred.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: Enjoy a free evening and perhaps walk over to the Rouen cathedral.

Day 7
Duclair and the Abbey of Saint Wandrille
Duclair B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities include walking and standing up to one mile.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Enjoy a hands-on activity to learn about French culture.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: A short distance from Duclair, is Fontenelle Abbey, also called the Abbey of St. Wandrille. Hosted by one of the abbey’s monks, visit the monastery and learn the story of its founder, Wandregisel, or Saint Wandrille. Although much of the abbey has been rebuilt, the chapel of St. Saturnin remains standing on the hillside overlooking the abbey and is one of the oldest ecclesiastical structures still in existence. After exploring the abbey, you will have the option of attending mass with the Benedictine monks as they sing Gregorian chants.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 8
Honfleur / Marine Museum
Honfleur B,L,D MS Botticelli
Activity note: Today's activities includ walking and standing up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Enjoy unique architecture during a tour of historic Honfleur. Learn why this city has one of the few remaining all-wooden churches and the important role of this city in the settlement of New France.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: Learn how Honfleur’s history is tied to the sea at the Marine Museum, where model ships, paintings and objects depict daily life, business and crafts of the 18th and 19th centuries. Next, you may enjoy the atmosphere of the Old Port or visit the Eugène Boudin museum independently.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Disembark/ Bayeux Tapestry/Caen
Caen B,D Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Today's activities includ walking and standing up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Disembark the river cruise ship and depart by motorcoach to Bayeux. Examine the Bayeux Tapestry, a lively description of the Middle Ages that describes the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The tapestry is nearly 230 feet long and depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England concerning William, Duke of Normandy and Harold, Earl of Wessex, later King of England, culminating in the Battle of Hastings. The actual origins of the tapestry remain a mystery, but legend has it that William's wife Mathilda and her ladies-in-waiting embroidered it. Visit the museum using a personal audio guide and watch a film in English about the making of the Tapestry. Next, enjoy some free time in the heart of Bayeux's pedestrian area before continuing on to Omaha Beach.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Depart by coach to check-in at the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 10
Caen Memorial and D-Day Museum
Caen B,L Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Walking and standing up to two miles over the course of the day on paved and unpaved ground. Walking and standing in the museum.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Visit the Caen Memorial and Museum, where displays, films and exhibits tell the story of World War II and the D-Day Landing Beaches.

Lunch: At the Caen Memorial.

Afternoon: Enjoy some free time to explore Caen at your own pace.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 11
Omaha Beach / American Cemetery / Point du Hoc
Caen B,L,D Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Today's activities include walking and standing up to two miles over the course of the day on paved and unpaved ground.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will go on a field trip to Omaha Beach and have an on-site lecture. The battle for Omaha Beach is brought to life through stories and experiential learning activities that include a treasure hunt, while traveling the length and breadth of the beach with a D-Day expert.

Lunch: At a restaurant near Omaha Beach.

Afternoon: We pay our respects with a wreath laying ceremony at the US Normandy American Military Cemetery before exploring the cemetery and the visitor center. Our expert leads us to Pointe du Hoc to learn about the Ranger Assault. Take a walk on the craters, now grassed over, left by the bombings of WWII.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 12
Mont Saint Michel
Caen B,D Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Today's activities include travel by motorcoach, walking up to two miles on cobblestone and pavement. Mont Saint Michel is built on a hill, therefore there is some uphill walking and steps to arrive at the abbey.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Enjoy a field trip to Mont Saint Michel, a place the locals call "le Mont" and is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Perched on a small rocky island that is connected to the mainland at low tide, Mont Saint Michel is a Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel Michael dating from the Middle Ages.

Lunch: Your choice to explore local fare.

Afternoon: We will depart by coach to return to Bayeau.

Dinner: Near the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 13
Sainte-Mère-Église / Cotentin Peninsula
Caen B,L,D Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance
Activity note: Today's activities include walking and standing up to two miles on pavement and sand. Plan to wear shoes that can get wet if walking across the sand at low tide.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will take a field trip to Sainte-Mère-Église to learn the story of the paratrooper whose parachute caught on the spire of the town church.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will take an excursion to the island of Tatihou, just opposite the port of Saint Vaast La Hougue and accessible on foot at low tide or by amphibious vehicle.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 14
Departures
In Flight B
Activity note: Transfer Caen to Charles de Gaulle is approximately 2.5 hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel.