The history of France from Paris to Normandy, and the exceptional gathering of tall ships at the Armada de Rouen. (port-to-port cruise)

Depart on foot for a guided visit to the Jeanne d'Arc Historial. Just a 5-minute walk from the pier, this unique museum space is housed in the majestic Gothic halls of the Archiepiscopal Palace. You will discover the key moments of the life of Joan of Arc, an iconic figure in French history. The immersive, scenographic journey will take you through Joan’s trial with digital reconstructions, historical narratives, and captivating testimonies. Each stage of the visit will bring to life the political, religious, and social stakes of the time, while also revealing the remarkable architecture of the building. Return on foot to the ship in Rouen.

PLEASE NOTE

• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.

Depart on foot to explore the charming town of Caudebec-en-Caux and its historic center. You will be captivated by its picturesque streets, lined with half-timbered houses and quaint shops that evoke its medieval past. Be amazed by the Church of Notre-Dame, a masterpiece of flamboyant Gothic architecture from the 15th and 16th centuries. Miraculously preserved, it stands out for its exceptional stained-glass windows, which were removed for restoration in 1940 and thus saved from wartime destruction. Its spectacular rose window and exquisite sculptures make it a true gem of Normandy's heritage.

Continue your discovery at MuséoSeine, an interactive museum that will immerse you in the fascinating history of the river and the life that has flourished along its banks. Models, exhibitions, and captivating narratives will take you on a journey through time, exploring the Seine from various angles: its geology, economic role, and artistic influence. Many painters, including Monet and his contemporaries, captured its ever-changing landscapes, drawn by the unique light that bathes its shores. This immersive visit offers a blend of history and art, unfolding along the water’s edge.

Return on foot to the boat.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Join us on a guided tour of Fontainebleau for a look at its historic château, gorgeous town squares, lavish theater, and magnificent church. This tour reveals the secrets and anecdotes of times gone by. We’ll then visit the castle and its vast estate, the veritable stomping grounds for French sovereigns for over eight centuries. The gardens themselves are a work of art that evokes that glory of royal France. After our tour, we will return on board the ship.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Only on pre-booking.

Hop aboard your sidecar alongside a Gentleman Sider (a local guide dressed in vintage attire) for an unforgettable experience. You will discover the must-see sights as well as hidden gems of Paris. Comfortable and safe: helmet, goggles, blanket, and poncho (if needed) are provided. Photo breaks and a short walking stop will also be part of the program. Maximum of 2 passengers per vehicle: one in the bucket seat, the other behind the driver (possibility to switch seats halfway through). Accessible from 3 to 99 years old! Pick-up and drop-off at the embarkation point.

PLEASE NOTE

• Ensure you have appropriate equipment.
• Valid for 2 people. For 1 person, please contact us.

Travel through time in the heart of Paris: the Ile de la Cité. Once known as Lutetia, l’Ile was the predecessor of present-day Paris. Impressive remains of the ancient city can still be seen, of which Notre Dame, though bruised, still is the most famous symbol. As you stroll around the city, you can admire magnificent monuments bearing witness to a bygone era: the Sainte-Chappelle, the Conciergerie, the Palais de Justice as well as the Place Dauphine and the mythical Pont Neuf. You’ll be captivated by the history found on the banks of the Seine River and across its bridges.

PLEASE NOTE

• For optimal organization of your excursion, the order of the visits can be modified.
• Times are approximate and can change according to navigational conditions.

We'll leave on foot for a guided tour of Rouen. The historic center of the city and its famous cathedral are only a 5-minute walk from the ship. Stretched along the Seine, Rouen is Normandy's cultural, historical, and gastronomical capital. The exceptionally complex Notre-Dame Cathedral is renowned for the juxtaposition of all the Gothic periods - especially on the facade, which Monet painted time and again, reflecting its glory in different lights. Destroyed during the Viking invasions in 841 and, partially, in 1944, by allied bombardments, the cathedral continues to be a perpetually evolving structure. We'll then head to the market place where Joan of Arc was burned alive for heresy in 1431. The Gros-Horloge, or Great Clock, is one of the most emblematic monuments in the city. The Gothic belfry has housed the communal bells and clock of the city since its construction at the end of the 14th century. Finally, we'll visit the Saint Joan of Arc Church. Located on the Old Market Place, this large monument's construction ended in 1979 and was built both in honor of the Saint as well as the heroine celebrated by the French on the second Sunday in May. We'll return to our ship on foot at the end of the afternoon.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• This excursion will occur in the morning or in the afternoon depending on the schedules of the Honfleur port.
• The order of the visits may change.
• Times are approximate.

Depart by coach from Caudebec-en-Caux to discover the Château du Taillis, a true jewel of Italian Renaissance architecture in Normandy. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the passionate owner of the château, who will personally guide you through this exceptional visit. He will take you through the major stages of the estate’s construction and reveal the fascinating secrets of the families who shaped its history, making Château du Taillis a unique place steeped in history and culture.

As the visit unfolds, you will be immersed in the elegance of the 18th century, an era of refinement and splendor. You will explore the château’s grand salons, where each room is a living testimony to the art of living during the Age of Enlightenment. The decorations, period furniture, and works of art adorning the walls will transport you into an atmosphere of luxury and nobility. The château’s emblematic rooms, carefully preserved, showcase the beauty and architecture of this period, offering you a glimpse into the aristocratic lifestyle of the time.

Return by coach to Caudebec-en-Caux.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Set out on foot for an unequaled tour of the magnificent palace gardens. An alternative experience at Versailles will bring you face to face with groves, sculptures, thriving greenery, and abundant water sources. In 1661, King Louis XIV authorized André Le Nôtre to create a French-style garden that would be the envy of all in the great European courts through the 18th century. The Sun King took such great pleasure in exploring his gardens, he wrote a book explaining how to give tours of the immense grounds. This tour will follow the king’s recommendations, and your guides will let you in on the secrets and tales of this unique site—one of the most beautiful open-air museums in the world.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach in the company of your hostess for a visit to the Château de Versailles. Listed as a World Heritage Site for thirty years, the Château de Versailles is considered to be one of the finest achievements of French art from the 17th century. Louis XIII's former hunting lodge was transformed and enlarged by his son Louis XIV, who fixed the Court and government of France here in 1682. Until the French Revolution, one king followed another, each embellishing the Château in his turn. When you arrive, your guide will take you through the King's Grand Apartment. These seven successive rooms were intended to serve as a Parade Apartment, that is to say for the sovereign's official business. This is why it was decorated with the most splendid riches and based on the model of Italian palaces of the time. During daytime, it was open to all, French and foreigners, who came to see the king, and it was reserved for the Court three evenings a week. Afterwards, you'll go through the Hall of Mirrors, known in the 17th century as the "Great Gallery" and which was where courtesans would wait, meet or just pass through every day. This 75m-long, 10m-wide and 12m-high hall was designed by Mansart in. The principal feature of this hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens. You tour will end with a visit to the Queen's Apartments, where the Queen would host the ladies of the Court when she rose in the morning and granted private audiences. After visiting the Château, you will still have a little free time to discover the fabulous formal French gardens created by André Le Notre for Louis XIV. Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• Pre-booking only. If the minimum of 25 participants isn't met, the excursion will be replaced with a visit to the Château de Malmaison.
• Flash photography is forbidden inside the Château.
• The Versailles Palace is closed on Mondays, visit to the Château de Malmaison instead.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.