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Normandy River Cruise and Highlights of the Alsace

14
 days from $
12890
 per person
Operated by: 
Kensington Tours
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Paris, Vernon, Les Andelys, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Conflans Sainte Honorine, Strasbourg

  • 7-Night Paris to Normandy sailing with Avalon.
  • Embark on an adventure combining the unparalleled capital of Paris with the beautiful landscapes & historical region of Normandy.
  • Daily shore excursions discovering such inspiring sites as Rouen's Gothic Cathedral, the remarkable Bizy Castle & Monet's stunning gardens at Giverny.
  • Post-cruise, follow the breathtaking Alsace Wine Route on your way to the formidable Haut Koenigsboug castle, overlooking undulating hills, vineyards, and villages.
  • Select cruise departures from March through November.
Itinerary at a Glance

DAY 1

  • PARIS Here we Go!
  • Airport Meet & Greet - Assistant
  • Private Airport Transfer
  • France Welcome Package
  • How to Become a Parisian in One Hour (1 hr) - Shared

DAY 2

  • PARIS Cross an Item off the Bucket List
  • Private City Tour (3.5 hrs)
  • Eiffel Tower Dinner, Cruise & Moulin Rouge Show (6 hrs) - Shared Tour

DAY 3

  • PARIS TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE All Aboard!
  • 1/2 Day Wine Tasting in an Ancient Parisian Cellar (with Food Tastings, 4 hrs) - Private
  • Port - Vehicle/Driver
  • Embarkation
  • Dinner on Board (Included)

DAY 4

  • VERNON TO LES ANDELYS TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE Quintessential Castles
  • Giverny or Bizy Castle - Shared
  • Breakfast on Board (Included)
  • Lunch on Board (Included)
  • Guided Walk of Les Andelys or Hike to Castle Ruins - Shared
  • Dinner on Board (Included)

DAY 5

  • CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE Get a Lay of the Land
  • Normandy Abbeys Trail & Honfleur - Shared
  • Breakfast on Board (Included)
  • Lunch on Board (Included)
  • Dinner on Board (Included)

DAY 6

  • CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE Lest We Forget
  • D-Day Landings or A Taste of Normandy Excursion - Shared
  • Breakfast on Board (Included)
  • Lunch on Board (Included)
  • Dinner on Board (Included)

DAY 7

  • ROUEN TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE Pedal Through the Past
  • Rouen by Bike or by Foot - Shared
  • Breakfast on Board (Included)
  • Lunch on Board (Included)
  • Dinner on Board (Included)

DAY 8

  • CONFLANS SAINTE HONORINE TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE A Journey Back in Time
  • Van Gogh's Resting Place or Napoleon's Home or Versailles - Shared
  • Breakfast on Board (Included)
  • Lunch on Board (Included)
  • Dinner on Board (Included)

DAY 9

  • PARIS TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE Hit the Streets
  • City Tour - Shared
  • Breakfast on Board (Included)
  • Lunch on Board (Included)
  • Dinner on Board (Included)

DAY 10

  • PARIS TO STRASBOURG The Journey Continues…
  • Breakfast on Board (Included)
  • Disembarkation
  • Private Train Station Transfer
  • Train - Paris - Strasbourg [2.5 hrs] - First Class
  • Private Train Station Transfer

DAY 11

  • STRASBOURG Pound the Pavement
  • 1/2 Day Walking Tour (3.5 hrs) - Guide

DAY 12

  • STRASBOURG Explore with an Expert
  • Colmar and the Alsace Wine Route (with Tasting) and Haut Koenigsbourg (9 hrs) - Vehicle/Driver-Guide

DAY 13

  • STRASBOURG TO PARIS A Change of Scenery
  • Private Train Station Transfer
  • Train - Strasbourg - Paris [1.5 hrs] - First Class
  • Private Train Station Transfer

DAY 14

  • PARIS Until Next Time…
  • Private Airport Transfer

DAY 1

  • PARIS

slide 5 of 2

Theatre
Theatre
Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
Theatre
Theatre
Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
Theatre
Theatre
Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
  • Here we Go!
  • For your added comfort, a Meet & Greet assistant will be waiting for you outside of airport customs, holding a sign with your name on it. They will help you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.
  • Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.
  • A welcome package with a city map, train tickets (if relevant), and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful, will be provided to you on your first day in destination.
  • Olivier Giraud's "How to become a Parisian in one Hour" has gradually become one of the capital's must-see shows. During this 70-minute comedy show, you'll 'learn' how to behave like a real Parisian in shops, restaurants, taxis, subways, nightclubs and elsewhere. Involving audience participation, this is the ultimate guide to enjoy Paris!

DAY 2

  • PARIS

slide 3 of 3

Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees
Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees
Seine River
Seine River
Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees
Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees
  • Cross an Item off the Bucket List
  • With your private guide and driver, embark on a half-day exploration into the history of Paris, while witnessing must-see highlights of the City of Lights. Make your way to Ile de la Cite, where the medieval city was focused, and home to the the cathedral of Notre-Dame, one of the most famous Catholic churches in the world. In Le Marais district, a chic quarter known for its food, you can see the stunning Place des Vosges, a historic planned square formerly populated by Parisian nobility. After, make your way to see the courtyards of the world famous Louvre, the largest palace and museum in Europe. Admire breathtaking architecture while your guide stimulates the imagination with tales and legends from the palace's past. Continue on to learn about Paris at the time of Napoleon as you see the imposing Arc de Triomphe on the renowned Champs-Elysees, the city's must-see main boulevard.
  • From a meeting point in central Paris, join a group excursion which covers off a trio of Parisian icons. You'll begin with dinner at the restaurant Madame Brasserie, located on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. From your private table, you'll have an exceptional view of Paris and its spectacular architecture. The chef has created a menu of exquisite French cuisine that's sure to please your tastebuds. Upon finishing, you'll embark a riverboat for an exciting hour-long shared cruise along the River Seine, followed by the renowned Feerie show at the Moulin Rouge, along with some Champagne. This exciting act boasts over a thousand costumes of feathers, rhinestones, and sequins made in the most famous Parisian workshops. The sumptuous sets and shimmering colors will leave you breathless and wanting more after the curtain descends.

DAY 3

  • PARIS TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE

slide 3 of 3

Ancient Wine Cellar
Ancient Wine Cellar
Welcome Cocktail
Welcome Cocktail
Ancient Wine Cellar
Ancient Wine Cellar
  • All Aboard!
  • Meet your private driver and vehicle and set out for a private wine tasting with Lionel Michelin, wine expert and vintages collector. He will host you in his 17th century cellar, a mythical site where the famous wine merchant Jean-Baptiste Besse settled in the early 30’s. This cellar has received amateur wine enthusiasts from all over the world for over 50 years, including Hemingway and Ustinov. Revisions were made to Lionel Michelin's property in 2004, inspired by De Vinis Illustribus. The final product was an amazing collaboration of history and passion, transforming this special location into a wine connoisseurs dream. The first basement cellar is a place where the greatest bottles are stored. The second basement cellar, which was built in 1636, is especially dedicated to old vintage wines ranging over more than a century. Enjoy an exclusive wine tasting to be conducted in English by the owner Lionel Michelin himself. Learn of his passion for enology and listen to him analyze and comment on each wine: region, varietal, characteristics, evolution and harmony with served dishes. You'll also enjoy an included food tasting, selected according to the wines, including top-quality gourmet products like foie gras and fine cheeses. Afterward, you'll transfer back to your hotel.
  • Meet your private driver and vehicle for a port transfer.
  • Welcome aboard!
    Take some time to get settled into your stateroom, and to explore the length of your cruise vessel. This evening,  join your fellow cruise mates at a Welcome Reception. Tonight you'll overnight at port in Paris.

DAY 4

  • VERNON TO LES ANDELYS TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE

slide 3 of 3

Giverny
Giverny
Les Andelys
Les Andelys
Giverny
Giverny
  • Quintessential Castles
  • This morning, take a guided tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces. Alternatively, join a guided visit to Bizy Castle, known as Normandy's Versailles due to its magnificent courtyard, water garden and stables.
  • This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crepes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.
  • Arrive in Les Andelys, one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine, and stroll its charming streets on a guided walking tour. Alternatively, join a guided hike up to the castle ruins of Chateau Gaillard, the historic home of King Richard the Lionheart.

DAY 5

  • CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE

slide 5 of 2

Honfleur
Honfleur
Honfleur
Honfleur
Honfleur
Honfleur
  • Get a Lay of the Land
  • Take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Trail, where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.
  • This afternoon, you may choose a guided optional excursion to the charming old seaside town of Honfleur. The town is characterized by its old harbor which is lined with 16th century townhouses, and has been depicted by many celebrated artists, including Monet.

DAY 6

  • CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE

slide 5 of 2

Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach
  • Lest We Forget
  • Join a guided tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, where you'll visit a number of significant US sites including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. Or you may also take a full-day guided tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. Alternatively, join “A Taste of Normandy” guided tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. See the famous Bayeux Tapestry, visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados at a local distillery
  • This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

DAY 7

  • ROUEN TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE

slide 5 of 2

Rouen
Rouen
Rouen
Rouen
Rouen
Rouen
  • Pedal Through the Past
  • Today enjoy a guided walking tour of Rouen, site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom, where you'll see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, as well as its famed Notre-Dame Cathedral. Alternatively, you may join a guided bike tour to discover and explore the famous monuments and lesser known hidden gems of the Rouen.

DAY 8

  • CONFLANS SAINTE HONORINE TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE

slide 5 of 2

Versailles
Versailles
Versailles
Versailles
Versailles
Versailles
  • A Journey Back in Time
  • Today you'll have the option of joining a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh. Alternatively, take a guided tour of the opulent Chateau de Malmaison - once the home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Perhaps you'll instead want to join a guided optional excursion to the Palace of Versailles, home to a succession of French kings including Louis XIV.

DAY 9

  • PARIS TO FRANCE RIVER CRUISE

slide 5 of 2

The Louvre
The Louvre
The Louvre
The Louvre
The Louvre
The Louvre
  • Hit the Streets
  • Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating guided walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Ile de la Cite, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more. Alternatively, join a guided city tour that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, including the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, and the famous Champs-Elysees. Later, spend your afternoon strolling through the streets of Paris on your won, or linger over a glass of wine in a literary cafe on the Left Bank.

DAY 10

  • PARIS TO STRASBOURG

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strasbourg hotel cour du corbeau
  • The Journey Continues…
  • Bid farewell to the crew as your voyage comes to a close, and you disembark from your cruise vessel this morning.
  • Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
  • Depart by train from Paris to Strasbourg. Approximate travel time is 2.5 hours.
  • Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.

DAY 11

  • STRASBOURG

slide 5 of 2

Strasbourg
Strasbourg
strasbourg hotel cour du corbeau
Strasbourg
Strasbourg
strasbourg hotel cour du corbeau
Strasbourg
Strasbourg
strasbourg hotel cour du corbeau
  • Pound the Pavement
  • Enjoy your 2 hour walking tour around the old pedestrian areas around the Cathedral and in Petite France.  It should be possible to see the Maison Kammerzell, place Gutenberg, St.-Thomas church, the former tanners’ houses, the Covered Bridges, the Vauban dam, the former customs-house, the former town-butchery, and the Palais Rohan.

DAY 12

  • STRASBOURG

slide 5 of 2

eguisheim
eguisheim
strasbourg hotel cour du corbeau
eguisheim
eguisheim
strasbourg hotel cour du corbeau
eguisheim
eguisheim
strasbourg hotel cour du corbeau
  • Explore with an Expert
  • Meet your English speaking driver-guide and depart for the beautiful town of Colmar in a private vehicle. Discover the charm of the old town, its prestigious monuments, the Pfister house, the Koïfhus, Saint Martin collegiate church, and the picturesque neighbourhoods of small Venice or of the tanners. Then depart for the most beautiful village of Eguisheim. Surrounded by vineyards, the narrow and concentric streets highlight the architectural merits of its half-timbered houses, lovingly decorated with flowers. After a walk in the village participate in a wine tasting (included) session to discover the world renowned Alsace wines in a typical winery. Your tour then continues on to the beautiful town of Riquewirh. Surrounded by ramparts, the village has been very fortunate to survive war and destruction. Its tiny streets, fortified walls and old houses have preserved their 16C splendor virtually intact, making for remarkable architectural harmony. Free time for personal discovery and lunch. After lunch (not included) you will follow the breathtaking Alsace ‘Wine Route’. Located between the Rhine valley and the Vosges mountain range, the 60 year old route winds across the slopes for more than 170 kms. The itinerary leads across rows of undulating, vinecovered hills, and through quaint villages with narrow streets and charming flowerdecked houses clustered around the local church steeple. Finally, reach Haut Koenigsbourg castle. Here, follow your guide for a tour of this mighty fortress that overlooks the valley. Built in 12th century, the Castle occupied a strategic position controlling the wine and wheat routes to the North and the salt route that came from the east. After the visit return to Strasbourg.

DAY 13

  • STRASBOURG TO PARIS

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Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
  • A Change of Scenery
  • Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.
  • Depart by train from Strasbourg to Paris. Approximate travel time is 3 hours.
  • Meet your private driver and vehicle for a train station transfer.

DAY 14

  • PARIS
  • Until Next Time…
  • Meet your private driver and vehicle for an airport transfer.

Grand Hotel du Palais Royal

Avalon Tapestry II (7N)

Hotel Cour du Corbeau

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