The Rouen Armada and the most beautiful stops along the Seine Valley (port-to-port cruise)

We'll leave from Honfleur by coach for the beautiful Alabaster Coast, a natural heritage within the Pays de Caux and the estuary of the River Seine. We'll pass by Le Havre. The high white cliffs bordered by the beaches and stones were made famous by Impressionist paintings. As Guy de Maupassant wrote: "Nature has made these valleys; the rains of storms have ended with them in the shape of these ravines, trimming what was left of the cliff, excavating down to the sea, the bed of waters which acts as a passage for mankind.” Once in Étretat, we'll set out for a hike across the cliffs to bask in the landscapes that have been dramatically shaped by weather and erosion. Afterwards, we'll enjoy some free time to explore the city itself. At the end of our tour, we'll return to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE

• Plan to wear appropriate hiking gear (hiking shoes, trekking poles, water bottle, hat, cap, sunglasses...): allow 20 minutes on foot from the coach parking lot to the cliffs (each way).
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Steep elevation to climb the cliff: 100 meters; do not suffer from vertigo when descending the stairs.

Leave Honfleur by coach for the excursion to the Alabaster Coast, classified as a Natura 2000 site since 2009. This trip will be your chance to discover the natural heritage of the Pays de Caux and the Seine estuary. We will pass by Le Havre. The high cliffs of white chalk and stone beaches were popularised by the paintings of Claude Monet. The suspended valleys of the little coastal rivers, the Normandy bridge and Etretat, sights not to be missed bordering a coast that you will see in a fresh light after this trip. Marvel at the beauty of the Alabaster Coast and the diversity of its plant and animal life. Stop at Etretat. Once a fishing village, Etretat transformed itself into a seaside resort in the 19th century and became a place of inspiration for artists (Gustave Courbet, Eugène Boudin and Claude Monet), writers (Gustave Flaubert and Guy de Maupassant, Maurice Leblanc) and famous people (J. Michelet, F. Faure, the Queens of Spain, J. Bonaparte...). Etretat was the holiday spot of numerous famous opera composers and singers of the 19th century who had villas there or stayed there regularly in a comic-opera decor. The town has several remarkable chateaus, manor houses and villas, such as the Manoir de la Salamandre (a house admired by tourists and located in the main street near the hall), The Clos Lupin and the Château des Aygues which were the seaside residences of the Spanish queens Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies and Isabel II. Return by coach to Honfleur.

PLEASE NOTE

• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.
• Stop at Etretat depending on weather conditions.
• Excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous for your health; drink in moderation.

We'll meet up with our guide and set off on our walking tour. Honfleur, the cradle of Impressionism, is located at the mouth of the Seine as it flows into the English Channel. Untouched by the passage of time, this small port has kept the landmarks of its rich past, making it today one of the most visited towns in France. We'll begin our tour at the Vieux Bassin, one of the most charming sites in the city. The narrow houses squeezed against each other are quite a unique sight. Next, we'll see Saint Catherine's Church, the largest wooden church in France. It was listed as a historical monument in 1879 and has been the subject of scrupulous research by many archaeologists and historians. Our tour will finish with a visit to Saint Léonard Church. Destroyed during the Hundred Years War, it was rebuilt at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries-only to be partially burned down again during the Wars of Religion. We'll return to our ship on foot.

PLEASE NOTE

• Good walking shoes are recommended.
• For some cruises, this excursion can occur at night after dinner depending on the schedules of the Honfleur port.
• In case the boat cannot moor in Honfleur because of navigation technical reasons, this excursion will be done by coach. Extra fee to pay on board : 10€.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.

Departure by coach along with your host/hostess. We will cross Le Petit Andelys and pass by the St Sauveur Church (a 16th century church which still possesses a vintage organ). After 40 minutes' travelling through different villages along the Andelle (river running through the valley), we'll arrive at Château de Martainville. This château was built at the end of the 15th century by Jacques Le Pelletier, and bought by the State in 1906, then turned into a museum in 1961.
In 2 hours, learn about 500 years of rural Normandy history. Travel through the heart of Norman traditions (work suits, headdresses, jewelry, weavings), relive the past through the objects of everyday life (copper pans, pottery, baskets...). Discover the largest collection of Upper Normandy furniture, the "Famous Norman Wardrobes". Transfer back to Rouen at the beginning of the evening.

PLEASE NOTE

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

Departure by coach for a day trip to the landing beaches. Arrival at Pointe du Hoc, which was the scene of one of the landings on June 6, 1944. After our visit, we'll pass through Omaha Beach, Colleville sur Mer and its American cemetery. After lunch, we'll continue to Arromanches, site of the famous battle with its artificial port installed to allow the invasion of land troops and their equipment. We'll stop at Arromanches 360° where you'll be able to watch a film in its circular room. The Price of Liberty combines archived footage filmed in June 1944 by war correspondents with current shots on the same site. We'll get back to Honfleur via Gold Beach, Juno Beach (Gray sur mer- Courseulles sur Mer - St Aubin sur Mer) and Sword Beach (Ouistreham Lion sur Mer - Luc sur mer). Arrival in Honfleur in the early evening.

PLEASE NOTE

• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Pre-booking only, valid for a minimum of 30 participants.

Departure by coach with a guide to discover the mythical sites of the capital. Since its foundation as Lutèce on the Ile de la Cité, two thousand years of history have seen ecclesiastics, sovereigns and heads of state leave their mark on the city, building churches, erecting monuments and palaces, creating prestigious museums and outlining sumptuous perspectives. Its distinguished couturiers, perfumers and jewelers have strongly built up Paris's reputation for taste and elegance. A city of festivities, theaters and famous cabarets, Paris also glows from the sparkle and shine of its well-known revues. On this tour, accompanied by your guide, take in the highlights of the capital, including the Latin Quarter, St Germain, the Opéra Garnier, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, the Trocadéro and of course the famous Eiffel Tower. Return to the boat at Quai de Grenelle.

PLEASE NOTE

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

We'll set out from the Quai de Grenelle for a stroll along the banks of the Seine. The banks of the Seine were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1991. Come with us and discover the splendid sites and surprising points of view on each side of the river. You'll also learn about the complex relationship Parisians have had with their waterways since the Middle Ages. Throughout the centuries, the Seine has been used for transportation, commercial activities, energy production using floating windmills, cleaning animal skins, washing laundry, waste water dumping, and even drinking water up to the 19th century!
All levels of walkers are welcome to join us and hear about the river's fascinating history. You can stay for one, two or even three hours with us, leaving the group when you want. You'll have a bus/subway ticket that you can use to return to the ship at any moment. Just ask your guide to point you in the right direction.

PLEASE NOTE

• Please note: You will have to return to the ship on your own using the combined transport tickets that are included in your cruise. The guide will not escort you on this return trip.
• Times are approximate.
• The order of the visits can change.
• Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.

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.