Compare Exploring the Seine from Paris to Normandy With Your Grandchild by Road Scholar vs Girls getaway trip to Paris & Champagne by Paris-Toujours

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.

Day 1: Arrival Day In Paris

On arrival at the airport private welcome and transfer to your hotel in the centre of Paris. Free time to relax and wander in the lively streets around your hotel with many suggestions. Why not enjoy a glass of wine or a delicious cocktail on a terrace overlooking the city.

Day 2: Shop In Le Marais And Cheese Tastings

After a typical French breakfast with croissants and many other pastries, your expert guide will pick you up for a private shopping tour in Le Marais district. This neighbourhood will impress you with its architecture, as it is dotted with numerous private mansions (“hotels particuliers”) dating from when Henri IV made this an aristocratic neighbourhood. It is also now known for its eclectic and lively ambiance with many vintage shops and trendy designers. Your guide will take you around the best boutiques and will help you find the perfect outfit that no one else will have back home.

In the afternoon, you will be meeting Pierre the cheese master in the hip 10th arrondissement. The cheese cellar is in a beautiful 17th century vaulted cellar – this is one of the last maturation cellars existing in Paris. You will learn about the Cheese maturation process and finish your experience with a cheese tasting paired with French wines.

Day 3: Rodin Museum And Pampering Afternoon

This morning you will be visiting with a private guide the Musée Rodin. Nearly 300 works from Rodin’s collection are on view in this mansion designed along the lines of classical architecture. Most famous works can be seen like ‘the Thinker’ or ‘The Kiss’. The garden of this museum is also definitely worth a visit!

After visiting Le Musée Rodin, enjoy a cosy afternoon in a charming spring cottage setting in the heart of Paris. This place is the ultimate sanctuary of well-being to enjoy on girls getaway. During 2-H an expert will take care of you and you will get a manicure/pedicure and makeup. Beyond well-being spa services, you will be able to taste delicious pastries and tasty teas.

End the evening at Girafe restaurant for a lovely dinner overlooking the twinkling Eiffel Tower.

Day 4: Day Tour To Champagne

After breakfast begin your girl’s day tour to Champagne! Your chauffeur will transfer you to the train station – you will then take the train to Reims in Champagne. Starting from Reims, this private champagne tour will enable you to discover the highlights of Reims as well as the beautiful champagne vineyards. Visit family run estates and taste different varieties of champagne. Finally, discover a prestigious champagne house (Moet&Chandon/Dom Perignon) and cellars, as well as the Gothic Notre Dame cathedral in Reims, one of the city’s designated UNESCO world heritage sites. Train back to Paris.

Day 5: Yoga & Sunset Cruise

Start the day with your private coach for a 2H yoga class. The class will be taken in the famous Luxembourg garden or on a Parisian rooftop with an amazing view. Your coach will of course adapt his class according to your wishes and bring all the necessary equipment. At the end of the class enjoy a fresh fruit and vegetable juice to fill up on vitamins.

Free afternoon to relax and make the most of Paris with many suggestions.

In the evening, meet your skipper for a private cruise on the Seine. The cruise will take place during sunset, so you get to see the city from a beautiful and different angle. Whilst admiring the different monuments, enjoy a French “aperitif” with cheese, ham, and wine! What a way to finish your girls getaway trip in France!

Day 6: Back Home

Pick-up by your chauffeur and transfer to CDG airport for your flight back home.