The Seine in Majesty Aboard a Paddle Wheel Boat (port-to-port cruise)

Join us for a guided tour of the Parisian passageways. You’ll leave by coach for a tour of the must-see sites in the French capital. Leaving from the Palais-Royal, we'll walk through the unique Parisian covered walkways—well-known short-cuts for the city’s inhabitants. During the holidays, the walkways are marvelously decorated to dazzle the eyes.

PLEASE NOTE

• Please wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• For optimal organization of your excursion, the order of the visits can be modified.
• Times are approximate and can change according to navigational conditions.
• If there is not a minimum of 14 participants, the excursion will be canceled or offered at a higher rate according to the number of participants (payment on board).
• For groups, transfer by coach for excursions is not included in cruise references PAM_PPGP-PAM_REPPGP-PAM_NOPPGP.

Immerse yourself in the sumptuous world of the Opéra Garnier, one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks. Inaugurated in 1875 and designed by architect Charles Garnier, this masterpiece of Neo-Baroque architecture embodies all the refinement of the Second Empire. As the festive season approaches, its majestic architecture and grand ceremonial spaces take on a particularly elegant atmosphere, enhanced by seasonal decorations. During the visit, you will discover the spectacular Grand Staircase, the true heart of the building, where the elegant figures of Parisian high society once gathered. You will then stroll through richly decorated salons and foyers adorned with gilding, mosaics and monumental chandeliers, reflecting the 19th century’s taste for splendour and theatricality. The Grand Foyer, inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, reveals all its magnificence through its mirrors, painted ceilings and glittering décor. During the Christmas season, a majestic Christmas tree often enhances this already exceptional setting, adding an extra touch of magic to this emblematic venue. The visit will continue in the famous auditorium, a true jewel of French operatic art. Dominated by its immense chandelier and the celebrated ceiling painted by Marc Chagall, it offers a unique setting where tradition, art and emotion come together. A fascinating discovery in the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful opera houses, enhanced by the spirit of the festive season.

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.

As the festive season approaches, Paris is transformed into a truly enchanting setting. This excursion will allow you to admire some of the capital’s most beautiful landmarks, magnificently illuminated for the occasion: the Grands Boulevards, the Opéra Garnier, the Church of La Madeleine, Place Vendôme and the surroundings of the Louvre, whose façades take on a particularly elegant appearance at this time of year. From the gardens of the Palais-Royal, you will then set off on foot to discover Paris’s famous covered passages, true treasures of the 19th century. Beneath their beautifully lit glass roofs, you will stroll through several of these iconic galleries, including Galerie Vivienne, Passage des Panoramas and Passage Jouffroy. Lined with elegant boutiques, historic bookshops, artisan workshops, tea rooms and hidden gems, these passages have preserved the charm of old Paris. Sheltered from the bustle of the city and the winter cold, you will enjoy a warm and inviting atmosphere where elegant architecture, festive decorations and sparkling lights create a particularly magical setting. A charming walk combining history, heritage and the spirit of Christmas in the heart of the City of Light.

PLEASE NOTE

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

Departure by coach for a visit to the Palace of Versailles, magnificently enhanced as the festive season approaches. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the palace is one of the most prestigious achievements of 17th-century French art. Originally a hunting lodge of Louis XIII, it was transformed by Louis XIV, who made it the symbol of the grandeur of the French monarchy. Upon arrival, you will discover the King’s State Apartments, a succession of richly decorated salons that once served as the setting for official ceremonies and court life. You will then continue to the famous Hall of Mirrors, a masterpiece of French classical architecture, whose reflections and play of light take on a particularly magical dimension at this time of year. The visit will continue through the Queen’s Apartments, which offer an insight into the private life of the royal court, before you admire the elegant Christmas decorations that enhance the historic rooms of the palace. Depending on the seasonal arrangements, majestic Christmas trees, floral displays and refined illuminations help create a festive atmosphere while preserving the exceptional character of the site. You will then enjoy some free time to admire the perspectives of the French formal gardens designed by André Le Nôtre, whose pathways offer magnificent views over the royal estate. Return to the ship by coach after this immersion in the sumptuous world of Versailles dressed in its Christmas splendour.

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.

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

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Good walking shoes are recommended.