From Paris, the City of Light, to the shores of Normandy, a festive and gourmet cruise on the Seine aboard a paddlewheel boat (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.

In the morning, optional excursion: Bizy Castle. Nicknamed the “Little Versailles of Normandy,” this remarkable estate stands out for the harmony of its architecture and the prestige of its history. Throughout the visit, you will explore magnificent richly decorated salons, where period furniture, works of art, and historical memorabilia illustrate the refinement of aristocratic life. You will also discover the major milestones in the castle’s history and learn about the families who shaped its destiny over the centuries. The apartments and reception rooms reflect the evolution of the tastes and lifestyles of the French nobility through the ages. This immersion into the world of France’s great country estates will allow you to appreciate the rich cultural and historical heritage of this emblematic Norman landmark. Afternoon cruise towards Rouen.

PLEASE NOTE

• Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
• The order of visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

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.

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.