Viking Rivers Cruises – France’s Finest (France) 15 Days

Paris, France
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Long a hub of French culture and cuisine, Paris is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Over the centuries, Parisian culture has been built on the wings of inspiration. Music, film, architecture, literature, dance and the visual arts all have their brilliant place in the museums, theaters, bookstores and remarkably preserved buildings of this magnificent city. At the center of it all is the Champs-Élysées. With its inviting riverside promenade, graceful bridges and splendid views of all things Parisian, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum.
* Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.

Paris, France
One of the most pleasurable activities in Paris is whiling away the time in one of the city’s outdoor cafés. Whether you are sipping a café au lait or a kir royal, there is no better way to feel like a Parisian. The hub of social and culinary life, cafés have been part of the city’s fabric since the 1600s. During the 20th century, literary and artistic figures—such as Ernest Hemingway, Colette and Pablo Picasso—famously met over drinks to share their works and ideas. Today, thousands of cafés line the pavements and squares to connect with France’s culture and history.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Paris
Duration: 4 hours    
See the major sights of the romantic “City of Light” with a knowledgeable local guide. Meet your motor coach and drive along the famed Champs-Élysées, viewing the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories. Pass many of Paris’s classic highlights, including the beautiful Grand Palais and Petit Palais, Place de la Concorde, Bridge of Alexandre III, the celebrated Louvre Museum, and La Conciergerie. Ride along the banks of the Seine to l’île de la Cité, where you will stroll through the island and marvel at the stately facade of Notre Dame de Paris before reboarding your coach. Continue into the Latin Quarter and view the picturesque St. Sulpice Church, Luxembourg Gardens and the Musée d’Orsay. Conclude your drive around Paris with Les Invalides complex, which houses Napoleon’s Tomb and the military school.

La Roche-Guyon, France
The picturesque village of La Roche-Guyon lies within the verdant Vexin Français Regional Nature Park, bound between the meandering Seine River and a striking wall of white chalk. This idyllic setting is home to a number of historic monuments, including a 15th-century church dedicated to St. Samson; a 16th-century salt store; a public fountain presented to the village in 1742; and the town hall, inaugurated in 1847. The beguiling 12th-century Château de La Roche-Guyon, however, is undoubtedly the village’s most emblematic landmark, once capturing the attention of poet Victor Hugo, impressionist Claude Monet and composer Joseph Kosma, among many others. The castle and its breathtaking surroundings still mesmerize all who visit it.

Shore Excursions – Monet Foundation Giverny
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes      
Visit the enchanting gardens and estate that inspired one of history’s great painters, founder of impressionism Claude Monet. Drive with your guide into the countryside to Giverny, the village that Monet called home from 1883 until his death in 1926. At the Monet Foundation, you will explore the artist’s home and gardens, now a museum dedicated to the great painter. The house with its pink, crushed-brick facade and green shutters is furnished as it was when he lived here, and contains his precious collection of Japanese engravings. Stroll the gardens to see firsthand the landscapes that grace Monet’s paintings, including the Japanese bridge and water garden shaded by weeping willows and teeming with water lilies. Please note: The Monet Foundation is not available before April 1 or after November 1; during that time, a visit to the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, favored by van Gogh and other artists, will be substituted.

Vernon, France
Vernon is a charming provincial town. Its cobblestone streets are reminiscent of the Middle Ages, and some of its half-timbered houses feature magnificent wooden carvings. The town was founded by the Viking Rollo in the 9th century, where an island in the Seine made for easy crossings. Because of its importance as a transit point between Paris and Rouen, the town was well fortified and frequently besieged. Ruins of its old medieval bridge still linger on the Seine’s right bank. The remains of La Château des Tourelles are the last surviving witness to that era.

Monet gardens not available before April 1 or after November 1; a visit to the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, favored by van Gogh and other artists, will be substituted.

Scenic Sailing: Seine River
The Seine meanders through the mellow vistas of Normandy. As it makes its sleepy and serpentine way to the English Channel, it winds along for 240 miles from Paris, more than doubling the distance of a crow’s flight. As you sail, swathes of fields unfurl toward groves of apple orchards, sources of the region’s famed Normandy cider. Calvados apple brandy is also a regional specialty, and a celebrated staple ingredient in Normandy cuisine. You will also gaze upon picturesque villages and historic abbeys on these bucolic banks.

Rouen, France
Founded by Romans, Rouen is situated amid chalk cliffs along the Seine. The Norman capital boasts many pleasures, from the 700 charming half-timbered houses of the Old Town to the glorious Rouen Cathedral, which so captivated Claude Monet that he painted it many times in varying light. Until the 17th century, Rouen was the second-largest city in France. Today, it is the country’s fourth-largest port. The city is perhaps best known as the site of Joan of Arc’s last stand; the patron saint of France was tried and condemned here for heresy and burned at the stake in 1431.

Shore Excursions – Rouen Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours      
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.

Normandy Beaches, France
History focused its sights along the coast of Normandy, France—notably Omaha, Juno and Gold Beaches—on the early morning of June 6, 1944, as American, Canadian and British troops made landfall in their first European incursion during World War II. The entire operation was termed Operation Overlord, the code name for the invasion of Normandy. The remains of the concrete structures and steel causeway of Mulberry Harbor, built by the British, can still be seen on the beach near the village of Arromanches. The Arromanches Debarkment D-Day Museum presents animated 3D scale models to help visitors grasp this exceptional harbor and its contribution to the battle—considered perhaps the single greatest innovation that ensured victory for the Allies.

Shore Excursions – Normandy Beaches: Commonwealth
Duration: 11 hours     
Witness memorials to two legendary Norman conquests that had far-reaching consequences for the British Commonwealth. Join your guide for a drive to Bayeux, where you can admire the magnificent tapestry that chronicles events leading to the decisive Battle of Hastings in 1066. Continue to Normandy’s beaches, site of the Allied landings of D-Day. Pass Gold Beach and the seaside village of Arromanches, where you can see remains of the ingenious Mulberry Harbor. Then stop at Juno Beach, heavily assaulted by Canadian troops. After time at the museum here, a fascinating overview of Canadian life before, during and after the war, you can pay respects at the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian cemetery. Later, visit the Pegasus Museum, with time to ponder the Pegasus Bridge taken by the British so as to prevent a German counterattack. Then, drive to the British cemetery at Ranville, the first village to be liberated by the British.

Shore Excursions – Normandy Beaches: US
Duration: 11 hours 
Ponder the courage of the Allied troops who changed the course of World War II during a visit to the D-Day Beaches. Travel with your guide to the Caen Memorial Museum, where you will learn about the invasion of Normandy and the events that led to the liberation of Europe. On-screen, watch “D-Day and the Battle of Normandy” featuring archived footage. Browse the museum exhibits and souvenir shop. After lunch, follow the coast to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. Located high on a cliff over Omaha Beach, it is the final resting place of nearly 9,400 American service personnel. You can walk among its many white crosses and Stars of David, then browse the visitor center. After your tour, return to your ship.

Les Andelys, France
Les Andelys is best known for its imposing castle overlooking the city, the Château Gaillard. Built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart, the castle and the village’s strategic location bolstered the importance of Les Andelys throughout the Middle Ages. The town also gained notice for its Sainte Clotilde Miraculous Spring, where the wife of the first Frankish king, Clovis, turned well water into wine to serve the builders of her Benedictine monastery. Europe’s devout, upon hearing of the act, flocked here on pilgrimages until the end of the 19th century.

Shore Excursions – Château Gaillard Walking Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes    
Explore one of the most fantastic fortresses of Normandy while admiring sweeping views of the Seine as it winds its way through the countryside. You will accompany your Program Director to the remarkable Château Gaillard, which seems to beckon from atop its high hill. The stronghold was built in the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart of England, who was also Duke of Normandy. His structure is considered the most dramatic sight anywhere along the Seine between the coast and Paris. The strongest and most magnificent castle of its age, it guarded the Seine River Valley and was the key structure in a vast system that defended Normandy during the Wars of Religion. It was also of critical importance in Richard’s campaigns against France. You will tour the exterior of this fine example of medieval siege warfare construction, considered invincible for as long as Richard lived.

Paris (Le Pecq), France
The origins of Paris can be traced back to a Gallic settlement founded during the 3rd century BC. By the time Napoleon III established the Second Empire during the mid-19th century, it had expanded into a large city and was in need of a major transformation. What transpired was a division of Paris into 20 arrondissements, starting at the Île de la Cité and spiraling out in a consecutive numerical order—the city’s present design. From the lively jazz bars of the Latin Quarter to the steep, ivy-clad streets of Montmartre, these charming districts are a delight to explore.

Shore Excursions – Napoleon’s Château de Malmaison
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes 
Visit the historic château where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his final days in France. Along with the Tuileries, this elegant manor house, purchased by the emperor’s wife, Josephine, in 1799, served as the seat of Napoleon’s French government from 1800 to 1802. After the couple’s divorce, she collected an annual pension of 5 million francs and kept the house, which she called home until her death in 1814. The emperor returned the following year after his defeat at Waterloo and received news of his exile to the island of Saint Helena. Admire the courtyards and see Josephine’s beloved music room and library. Visit her opulent chambers and salon, and view the emperor’s bedroom and the stunning mahogany decor of his study with its original furnishings. Enjoy free time here before returning to your ship.

Paris, France
Life in Paris revolves around the Seine River, with 37 bridges crossing the river, each telling a story. Perhaps none are so extravagant as the Pont Alexandre III, a graceful span named for the Russian tsar who signed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892. Downriver, the five-arched Pont d’Iéna is beloved for its scenic location linking the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadéro district. The Pont des Arts, set between the Louvre and the Institut de France, was famed for its thousands of padlocks, attached by couples to the railing grate as a sign of their devotion to each other.

Paris, France
During World War II, occupied Paris became the center for the Free French resistance movement. Unlike other French cities that were targets of Allied bombing raids, Paris escaped major damage and its many iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, survived the war intact and can still be enjoyed today. Liberation came just two months after the D-Day landings in Normandy, when divisions of the French tanks and US infantry entered the city on August 26, 1944, culminating with an exuberant march, led by Gen. Charles de Gaulle, down the Champs-Élysées. After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer by high-speed train to your next ship.

Lyon, France
Lyon straddles the Rhône and Saône Rivers. After Paris, it is considered the country’s most significant cultural center. Amid a cityscape of red-roofed buildings, tree-lined boulevards and riverside promenades, the cobblestone streets of Old Lyon host a rich collection of Renaissance architecture and intimate traboules, unique passageways through buildings that connect adjacent streets, all of it overlooked by the grand basilica atop Fourvière Hill. The city also boasts a wealth of outstanding museums, cultural treasures and excellent Lyonnaise eateries. Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom.

Lyon, France
Lyon is known as the food capital of France. It is not uncommon for well-heeled Parisians to travel to Lyon for dinner. The city is surrounded by towns and villages that produce excellent fresh produce, and gastronomic outlets are plentiful here. The great chefs of Lyon enjoy celebrity status, whether they prepare classic recipes the traditional way or elevate them with their own signature touches. Their delicious meals may be paired with a glass of light, fruity Beaujolais from the north or a bold Rhône red from the south.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Lyon
Duration: 4 hours
See the magnificent highlights of this gastronomic and cultural center. You will begin with a drive to the Basilica of Notre Dame, at the top of Fourvière Hill. After exploring the interior of this spectacular church, enjoy sweeping views of the red roofs of Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) and the narrow peninsula of land between the rivers comprising the atmospheric Presqu’île shopping district. Next, drive through town past the flamboyant Gothic St. Jean Cathedral and the Palace of Justice, stopping at the city’s famed Painted Houses, a breathtaking collection of outdoor murals depicting some 30 of the city’s famous figures. Then, continue with a walking tour along the cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon, where the city’s famous traboules, unique hidden passageways made for busy merchants in medieval days, wend through buildings and courtyards. Later, you can shop for souvenirs, perhaps purchasing some of the fine silk for which Lyon is world famous.

Lyon, France
One of Europe’s densest concentrations of urban Renaissance buildings, Old Lyon is pure pleasure to explore. The dwellings of this UNESCO site date back to the city’s silk weaving success during the 15th century, when Italian merchants and bankers put their profits into building town houses; today some of their elegant residences house museums. St. Jean Cathedral lies in the heart of Old Lyon and is a stunning example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It has weathered periods of political turmoil and religious wars and is now one of the city’s most prominent symbols.

Shore Excursions – Beaujolais Wine Country
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes    
Discover why Beaujolais is one of France’s most beloved wine regions during this flavorful and scenic excursion. In full, it is larger than any single district of its neighbor, Burgundy. Vineyards stretch for four miles along the Saône, and the granite soils and warmer climate make it ideal for growing grapes that produce a light flavor. Join your guide for a scenic drive through the rolling hills of Beaujolais, where viticultural tradition runs deep. Then, stop at a local village and enjoy a stroll with your guide as you learn about the art of winemaking, perhaps hearing about the popular Beaujolais Nouveau and the coveted crus that are produced here. You will also stop at one of Beaujolais’s famous cellars to enjoy a tasting with a wine expert.

Vienne, France
Situated in France’s Côtes du Rhône region, Vienne is the gateway to Lyon’s countryside. It is one of the oldest towns in France, with a history that can be traced through its architecture. Among its Roman remains and artifacts, the Roman Temple of Augustus & Livia dates back to the 1st century AD. Its Roman amphitheater, nestled in the hills of Mont Pipet, is one of the best preserved in the nation. Vienne also boasts remarkably preserved medieval buildings and market ruins. Other landmarks include the Abbey of Saint Pierre and the Church of Saint-André-le-Bas.

Shore Excursions – Vienne Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours      
Get to know Vienne and its rich Roman past during a leisurely walking tour. Meet your guide at the pier and set off to explore the city’s historic attractions. See the spectacular amphitheater built into the hillside, one of France’s best-preserved Roman theaters; it hosted up to 14,000 spectators during its heyday. View the Temple of Augustus & Livia, an incredibly preserved 1st-century structure that has been out of use only since the late 19th century. Then visit the enormous Gothic Cathedral of St. Maurice, built over almost 500 years. You may also spend time exploring an old Roman neighborhood, today’s Garden of Cybele, whose grounds are dotted with fascinating Roman remains. Afterward, enjoy free time to browse the shops or relax at a pavement café or salon de thé before returning to your ship.

Scenic Sailing: Rhône River
The lure of fine cuisine, charming villages and breathtaking vistas is never-ending along the Rhône River. Journey along this graceful waterway, meandering past vine-clad banks, and incredibly preserved echoes of medieval times and the days of the Roman Empire. The several locks through which the ship passes have helped to tame its waters, once unnavigable because of rapids, shallows and whirlpools. Today, a voyage along this stretch is a pleasant, gentle experience, surrounded by the hills and soaring mountains of the Rhône Valley.

Tournon, France
Tournon lies secluded between the river and the vineyard-blanketed granite slopes that nurture fine vintages. An ancient castle, built snugly into a rock, overlooks the riverside setting. A settlement has perched on this hill since Celtic times, but the stunning views from its overlook have never changed. The name of its neighboring wine-producing region, Tain-l’Hermitage, comes from the hermit who planted vines here after returning from the Crusades. Today, his vines are awash in sunshine and produce a port-like wine and some stellar whites.

Shore Excursions – Tournon Steam Train
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes 
Traverse one of France’s most picturesque corners during a train excursion into the wilds of the Doux Valley. Meet your guide at the ship and transfer to the train station, where you will board the Train des Gorges, a meter-gauge steam train and engine listed as French historic monuments. Embark on a charming journey on board this nostalgic railway and head into the verdant Doux Valley, a conservation area where panoramic views appear around every turn. This untouched region is inaccessible by road, making it a pristine wilderness of unrivaled beauty and clean air. You will skirt along the Doux River, chugging through the serene countryside, heading into verdant valleys and past sylvan woodlands. After your scenic train ride, return to Tournon and journey back to your ship.

Viviers, France
The sleepy town of Viviers was founded during the 5th century. This former Roman settlement became a bishop’s seat, and conflicts during ensuing centuries required the town to be fortified. With the Renaissance came a more stable period of wealth that allowed many new houses to be built, including a fine example of the era that still stands, the Maison des Chevaliers. Some buildings date back to the Middle Ages, and time seems to stand still along the cobblestone streets of its Old Town, dominated by the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral with its beautiful windows.

Shore Excursions – Viviers Walking Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Enjoy a leisurely idyll in a charming riverside village. Viviers is a typical small town in southern France—sleepy and laid-back amid a beautiful mountain setting. To appreciate it to its fullest, join a local guide who knows the town intimately for a delightful stroll that brings out its peaceful ambience. Amble along its picturesque sycamore-lined avenue, linger for a spell in the Place de la Roubine and see the Maison des Chevaliers, or Knights’ House, a Renaissance treasure that stands as the oldest house in town. Along the way, you will also see the smallest cathedral in France, the 11th-century St. Vincent Cathedral, standing meditatively in the town square.

Arles, France
In the last days of the Roman Empire, Arles was the capital of Roman Gaul and boasts many Gallo-Roman ruins including Les Arènes; this ancient amphitheater seats 20,000 and is still used today for bullfights and plays. The town has an energetic feel, attracting farmers from the countryside to the frequent and famous Provençal market. It also enjoys a rich artistic heritage; the Mediterranean sunlight here inspired legendary Impressionist Vincent van Gogh to paint a number of works. Many of Arles’s sights are immortalized in his paintings.

Shore Excursions – Arles Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours     
Experience the celebrated city of Arles, where Roman ruins and vibrant colors have inspired artists. Upon arrival, you will explore by foot, allowing you to immerse yourself in this energetic city of diverse architecture at the edge of Provence. Begin with a stroll to the massive Les Arènes, an ancient amphitheater able to seat 20,000. Continue to the Antique Theater, peering inside as you pass. This 1st-century wonder stood three stories tall and seated 10,000. Follow the Rue du Cloître to the Place de la République, a bustling square that once hosted the ancient Roman Circus. Here, you will see the 15th-century Church of St. Trophime, a Romanesque triumph named for a 3rd-century bishop. A walk down the Rue de la République delivers you to the Espace Van Gogh, the local hospital that treated the artist and today serves as a cultural center.

Avignon, France
Avignon’s narrow streets are lined with churches and remarkable medieval buildings. This “City of Popes” was the papal seat for 70 years during the 14th century after the sitting pope abandoned Rome and fled here. The massive church-fortress Palais des Papes, or Palace of the Popes, was the center of the Christian world during that controversial period. It remains a work of Gothic splendor. Another of Avignon’s notable structures reaches into the Rhône, the ruins of the Pont d’Avignon. The 12th-century bridge, immortalized in folk song and dance, once spanned the river.

Shore Excursions – Avignon Walk & Pope’s Palace
Duration: 3 hours      
Visit the monumental palace, once the seat of seven popes, and explore its medieval city. Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as the “City of Popes” because the papacy was relocated here from Rome, amid great controversy, from 1309 to 1377. With a local guide, follow the historic center of narrow streets to the Place de l’Horloge, the city’s central square, a scene of balconies, elegant facades and shading trees. Continue to the renowned Palace of the Popes for a guided tour. This fortress-church—the Middle Ages’ largest Gothic building—is gigantic, dwarfing even the neighboring cathedral. After, continue to the Market Hall, an iconic indoor market with a vertical garden, cafés and stalls selling local produce, meats and cheeses. Enjoy free time to browse the offerings, before returning to your ship.

Avignon, France
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
* Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.