Paris & the Heart of Normandy

Explore the medieval quarter of the cultural capital of Normandy. Stroll with your guide to the historic city center. Known as the “Ville Aux Cent Clochers” or “City of a Hundred Spires,” Rouen’s most magnificent steeple rises from the Notre Dame Cathedral, a favorite subject of Claude Monet. Visit its breathtaking interior, burial place of Richard the Lionheart, English king and Norman duke, and admire the ornate gold face of the Renaissance-style Gros Horloge Astronomical Clock. Admire the Bourgtheroulde Mansion, see several beautiful half-timbered houses and the 14th-century abbey where Joan of Arc was sentenced to death and the Place du Vieux Marché, where she was burned at the stake. A statue of Joan marks the place of the pyre. At tour’s end, return to the ship at your leisure, a few blocks away on the beautiful Seine River.

Experience the daily life of a working Norman farm as you enjoy a leisurely visit to a bucolic homestead. Normandy is renowned for its creamy cheeses and endless apple orchards that produce delicious cider and calvados, the region’s beloved apple brandy. Join your guide for a scenic drive to Saint-Michel-d’Halescourt, a tiny French commune amid vast fertile fields where these iconic products have their roots. Your destination is the Domaine Duclos Fougeray, a beautiful rustic farm whose 18th-century buildings are made from stone, mud and timber. The owners have been making award-winning cider and other products here for more than two decades and invite you to visit the orchards and watch a lively shepherd dog demonstration. During your visit, you will sample calvados and its close cousin pommeau with homemade apple tart and Norman cheeses. After time to savor your snack and the glorious setting, return to your ship.

Explore one of Normandy’s coastal jewels where historic houses line the quay amid quaint galleries and eateries. Drive with your guide to Honfleur, whose picturesque old harbor has lured painters for centuries. Today, you can still see enthusiasts leaning into their easels and putting brush to canvas. Its quay is lined with slate-covered facades with red roofs, and colorful fishing boats bob on the current. During a walking tour, pass the wooden Church of St. Catherine, the waterfront houses on the Old Harbor and the narrow streets of the Old Town. You will also see the memorial plaque for Samuel de Champlain, founder of Quebec City. Soak up the atmosphere around Vieux Bassin in the heart of the port and enjoy free time exploring the shops and art galleries. Savor a tasty snack at a local eatery as you take in the views from the terrace before returning to your ship.

Discover the iconic Bénédictine liquor at its eponymous palace and take in the beauty of the Normandy coast. Transfer through the French countryside towards the Norman Coast and the town of Fécamp. Upon arrival, visit the Palais Bénédictine, the only location in the world where the renowned Bénédictine liquor is crafted. Take in the building’s impressive neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance exterior before stepping inside for a welcome drink. See the palace’s ornate rooms, art collection and distillery, and learn how the recipe for this iconic liquor has been carefully guarded since its creation in 1510. Enjoy a private tasting and lunch on the grounds before continuing to Étretat, a coastal village known for its towering white cliffs and sea arches. Explore the town with your guide before having free time, perhaps enjoying the atmosphere or taking a short hike for a view over the sea.

Explore Normandy’s past on an overland journey to historic battle sites and a picturesque medieval settlement. Discover the mark World War II has left on the coast through preserved bunkers and historic towns. Visit the UNESCO-listed Mont-Saint-Michel, where an 11th-century abbey sits atop a tidal island.

Day 1 – Normandy, France

Travel through the French countryside to Normandy’s historic D-Day sites. At Pointe du Hoc, learn how US Army Rangers scaled the cliffs on June 6th, 1944 and explore the preserved bunkers and bomb craters. Continue to Sainte-Mère-Église, one of the first towns liberated during Operation Overlord, and visit the Airborne Museum to discover the story of American paratroopers. Pay your respects at the Brittany American Cemetery before checking into your hotel near the Mont-Saint-Michel. (L, D)

Day 2 – The Mont-Saint-Michel, France

Rise early and transfer to the UNESCO-listed Mont-Saint-Michel. As you approach the tidal island, take in its impressive architecture that rises above the bay. Follow your guide through narrow medieval streets and discover the abbey, whose buildings date back as far back as the 11th century. Learn how the island became a Christian pilgrimage site, then enjoy free time to explore independently. As you travel back to your ship, pause to have lunch at a local restaurant. (B, L)

Visit two abbeys to discover modern-day monastic life and explore the ruins of a once-thriving monastery. Transfer through the Norman countryside, heading towards the Saint-Wandrille Abbey, first founded in 649 AD. Here, you will be welcomed by a resident monk and explore the grounds to gain insight into the abbey’s long history and monastic traditions. Discover its remarkable spiritual heritage: 40 monks are honored as saints and are venerated here. Visit the abbey’s shop to peruse monastic products such as honey, books and beer. Next, head to Jumièges Abbey, once one of Normandy’s most important Benedictine monasteries and now considered to be “the most beautiful ruins in France.” As you explore the open-air nave and see the remaining towers, learn about the abbey’s storied past, through Viking raids, Norman restoration and abandonment during the French Revolution.