Royal Rivers, Castles, and Coronations (port-to-port cruise)

PARIS - MELUN - PARIS - MANTES-LA-JOLIE - Versailles - ROUEN - The Norman Abbey Circuit - ROUEN - PARIS - Chantilly - Reims

You'll board our ship at 6 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we’ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail.

We'll enjoy dinner on board.

We’ll spend the morning cruising to Melun.

In the afternoon, join us for an included guided tour of Fontainebleau. Its historic château, gorgeous town squares, lavish theater, and magnificent church should not be missed. 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 the glory of royal France.

We'll return on board the ship and enjoy dinner on board.

We’ll spend the morning cruising to Paris.

In the afternoon, join us for an included tour of the Louvre. The Louvre was originally a palace whose construction began in the late 12th century. Our first stop in the museum will be the Galerie d'Apollon.(1) Home to the French Crown Jewels, the elaborate room has been updated several times since its conception in the 1660s. The initial theme of the room was the sun's movement in space and included the figure of Apollo representing Louis XIV as the Sun King. Our tour will continue through other ornamented rooms in this celebrated royal residence to see the authentic furniture and decorations belonging to several French kings. At the end of the tour, you'll see several emblematic works of art in the museum.(2)

We’ll enjoy dinner on board.

Included excursion in the morning: A visit to the Basilica of Saint-Denis and its royal tombs. You'll leave by coach for Saint-Denis to visit the Basilica of Saint-Denis, the last resting place for many members of French royalty. Thought to be the first structure incorporating all the elements of Gothic architecture, the church contains the remains of 43 kings, 32 queens, and important French personalities, including Clovis I, Charles Martel, Catherine de' Medici, Henry the Great, Louis XVI, and Marie-Antoinette.

Our ship will cruise towards Mantes-la-Jolie in the afternoon.

We’ll enjoy dinner on board.

Included excursion in the morning: The Palace of Versailles and the King's Private Apartments. We’ll leave by coach for the Palace of Versailles. The world-renowned Palace of Versailles is one of the most astounding works of French construction from the 17th century. What began as a hunting lodge built by Louis XIII turned into a grand, ostentatious palace under his son to become the center of the French government in 1682. The Hall of Mirrors remains the most emblematic area in the château. You'll visit many rooms, including gigantic banquet halls and the intimate royal office where kings decided the country's fate. We’ll return to the ship by coach.

We’ll spend the afternoon cruising on to Rouen. Sit back and enjoy the peaceful cruise along the Seine dotted with charming towns and cities such as Vernon and Les Andelys.

Included excursion in the morning: Rouen and the Saint-Maclou district. Discover French antiques in the heart of the Saint-Maclou district in Rouen. Packed with tons of antique shops, the neighborhood is also known for its charming boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and art galleries. Next stop will be a look at the outside of the impressive Saint-Ouen Abbey. The church's history goes back as far as 750 AD, but the current building's construction began in 1318 and finished in the 15th century. Although its majestic size would lead us to think it is a cathedral, it is actually a historical monument owned by the government.

We’ll have lunch on board.

The afternoon will be dedicated to a guided tour of the Norman Abbey Circuit. The tour will begin with a visit to Jumièges and its abbey ruins. Founded by the Benedictine Order on lands gifted by Clovis II in 654, the abbey was destroyed by Vikings in the 9th century, only to be rebuilt on a larger scale much later. The devastation during the Wars of Religion and the French Revolution left the site in ruins. Today, many consider the abbey to be the most beautiful vestige in France. Next stop is the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Wandrille (exteriors), founded during the same time. Also known as Fontenelle Abbey, its monks were forced to leave during the Revolution, although the community returned in 1896. We’ll return to the ship by coach.

Included excursion in the morning: Joan of Arc in Rouen. Learn about Rouen through the heroic story of Joan of Arc and her sacrifices for France. Visit the emblematic sites in the city that form her story—from her adjuration at the Abbey of Saint-Ouen to the keep where she was imprisoned and her execution at the Place de Vieux-Marché.

We’ll spend the afternoon cruising to Paris. Enjoy an onboard presentation by Stéphane Bern.

Tonight is our festive gala evening.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.  Included full-day excursion: The Château de Chantilly.

Henri d'Orléans, considered the greatest art collector of his time, decided to make the castle a showcase for the works he owned. Inside, the château contains masterfully designed art galleries, suites, and a library. Outside, the vast grounds landscaped in different styles provide a unique look at three centuries of royal gardens. We'll begin the tour in these splendid gardens before enjoying lunch on the castle grounds.

The afternoon will be dedicated to a tour of the château, including the abovementioned rooms.

We’ll leave by coach for Reims,

Where you’ll check into a 4-star hotel for dinner and the night.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Included excursion in the morning: Tasting at a champagne cellar. Time to taste real champagne from the veritable Champagne region and learn about the history, methods, and French expertise behind the world's favorite bubbles during a visit to a cellar in the heart of the city.

We’ll have lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, join us for an included guided tour of the Reims Cathedral. The Reims Cathedral was the stage of 28 French coronations, including Philip I in 1059, Charles V in 1364, and Louis XIV in 1654. Learn about the ceremonies surrounding these coronations during this tour.

You'll have dinner and spend the night at the hotel.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Transfer (1) by coach from Reims to Paris. End of our services.