This French river cruise highlighting the sites where history was made is certainly grand! Enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful scenery, and stops in the most charming and historical parts of France. See the sites of heroic battles of World War II, hear fascinating presentations by a history expert on board your ship, and see the site of the V-1 bomber launch. Visit memorial sites of US, British, and Canadian soldiers in Normandy, the Museum of Les Invalides in Paris, and First World War battle sites and memorials of Vimy Ridge and Beaumont-Hamel. Stand on the beaches of Normandy where the allies fought to liberate Europe and the world.
In Normandy, stand on historic ground, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. Visit Joan of Arc’s Rouen, and choose between Claude Monet’s Giverny or the Bizy Castle, called “Normandy’s Versailles.” Visit Vincent Van Gogh’s Auver-sur-Oise or Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison. Before you depart the beautiful Seine River, you’ll spend time in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic cities! Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour including the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower. Visit Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France and a showcase of medieval and Renaissance architecture.
Take a guided walk of Tournon, nestled among the vineyards with plenty of Roman ruins and a fascinating 16th-century castle. On a guided tour of historical Avignon, see the 14th-century Palace of the Popes—the largest Gothic fortress in the world. Situated on the Rhône River, Arles is famous for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh and is home to a 1st-century Roman Amphitheatre.