Sensations of the Seine & Normandy

Day 1

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Paris, France.

• •Overnight transatlantic flight to Paris

Day 2

Welcome to Paris, the enchanting capital of France where your journey will begin. Upon arrival, you will be met by a representative of Mayflower Cruises & Tours and assisted with the transfer to your hotel. The day is free to begin exploring on your own or simply relax at the hotel.

• •Airport transfer to hotel
• •Free day to explore or relax
• •Overnight at Crowne Plaza Republique, or similar

Day 3

After breakfast, enjoy an included panoramic tour of this capital city. See such famous sites and landmarks as the Louvre, Opéra Garnier, Place Vendôme, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Bastille, the Trocadéro and the pièce de résistance…the Eiffel Tower. After your orientation to the city, the remainder of the day is at your leisure to pursue independent interests.

• •Included panoramic city tour of Paris
• •See the Louvre, Opéra Garnier, Place Vendôme, Place de la Concorde
• •Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Bastille, the Trocadéro
• •The Eiffel Tower
• •Free afternoon for independent exploration

Day 4

In the early afternoon, depart the hotel and embark the MS Emerald Lumi, home for the next seven nights. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to unpack, discover the amenities on board or take a leisurely stroll along the Seine. This evening, join your fellow guests for a welcome dinner on board. Later, your ship will depart Paris and cruise to Vernon during the night.

• •Transfer from hotel to MS Emerald Lumi
• •Afternoon at leisure to explore the ship
• •Welcome dinner on board
• •Overnight cruise to Vernon

Day 5

Visit Giverny, a picturesque village near Vernon on the banks of the Seine, where celebrated impressionist artist Claude Monet lived for over forty years. Experience an early morning tour of Giverny Gardens, Monet’s former home until his death in 1926. Explore Monet’s beautifully preserved house. Walk through the rooms where he lived and worked and the restored, elaborate gardens, which inspired some of his most iconic works, including the beloved Water Lilies series.

• •Early morning tour of Giverny Gardens, Monet’s former home
• •Explore the beautifully preserved house and studios
• •Walk through the colorful flower garden and Japanese-inspired water garden
• •See the famous Japanese Bridge and lily ponds that inspired the Water Lilies series
• •EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Bike Tour of Giverny
• •DiscoverMORE: Paint like Monet (extra expense)
• •DiscoverMORE: Rouen by Night (extra expense)

Day 6

Welcome to Rouen, a beautiful city set along the banks of the Seine and steeped in history and heritage, from Vikings and saints to renowned artists. Join a guided walk through Rouen’s medieval center. Learn about the Viking chieftain Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy. Visit key sites connected to Joan of Arc’s final days. See Rouen’s Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral, the tallest in France, whose stunning façade was immortalized by Monet.

• •Guided walking tour of Rouen’s medieval center
• •Learn about Viking history and Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy
• •Visit sites connected to Joan of Arc’s trial and martyrdom in 1431
• •See the Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral — tallest in France, painted by Monet
• •EmeraldPLUS: WWII Lecture onboard
• •EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Active Walk in Rouen

Day 7

The success of the historical D-Day was a turning point in World War II, opening a crucial Western front and accelerating the defeat of Nazi Germany. Today, join a remarkable full-day experience and war-themed tour focused on this highly significant time in World War II. Visit the key sites of the historical D-Day landings by the Allied forces. Experience first-hand the Normandy beaches where the Allied vessels landed, as well as the memorials and museum which honor the bravery of those involved and their ultimate sacrifice. Your Star-Ship remains docked in Honfleur overnight.

• •Full-day D-Day Normandy beaches tour
• •Visit key sites of the Allied D-Day landings
• •See the memorials and museum honoring those who served
• •Experience the Normandy beaches first-hand
• •Ship remains docked in Honfleur overnight
• •DiscoverMORE: Normandy’s Maritime Past (extra expense)
• •DiscoverMORE: Calvados Immersive Experience (extra expense)

Day 8

Enjoy a leisurely day discovering Honfleur, a popular harbor town best known for its picturesque old port and well-preserved, timber-framed houses. Your morning walking tour presents a fascinating snapshot of Honfleur’s unique character and Normandy’s seaside charm. Stroll around the bustling quay, enjoying colorful fishing boats that inspired the Impressionist artists. Explore quaint streets and admire the striking St. Catherine Church, the largest wooden church in France. Your tour includes a fresh oyster tasting.

• •Morning walking tour of Honfleur’s old port and timber-framed houses
• •Stroll around the bustling quay with colorful fishing boats
• •Visit St. Catherine Church — the largest wooden church in France
• •Fresh oyster tasting — savoring authentic local flavors
• •EmeraldACTIVE: Guided Bike tour of Honfleur

Day 9

While enjoying a serene cruise along the River Seine, take part in an exclusive EmeraldPLUS cheese tasting on board. As you take in the bucolic riverine views, relish delicious, rich, and authentic flavours connected to the timeless rural lands and traditions of Normandy. In the afternoon, discover the heart of Normandy’s countryside with a visit to a traditional cider farm — another EmeraldPLUS experience. Learn how the region’s crisp, refreshing cider is crafted from locally-grown apples using age-old methods, followed by a tasting of authentic local products.

• •Serene cruise along the River Seine
• •EmeraldPLUS: Cheese tasting on board
• •EmeraldPLUS: Local Cider Farm Visit with tasting
• •EmeraldACTIVE: Hike to Château Gaillard

Day 10

With your Star-Ship docked in La Roche-Guyon today, enjoy a morning tour of Château de La Roche-Guyon, a beautifully preserved estate steeped in centuries of history. Originally built as a fortified castle in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 15th century, it served as a strategic stronghold during the Anglo-French Hundred Years’ War and evolved as a favorite country retreat for Normandy’s nobility. Wander along tranquil pathways through meticulously maintained gardens. Within the Château, discover elegant period rooms adorned with antique furnishings and artwork.

• •Morning tour of Château de La Roche-Guyon
• •Explore the 14th-century fortified castle and its centuries of history
• •Wander through meticulously maintained gardens
• •Discover elegant period rooms with antique furnishings and artwork
• •EmeraldPLUS: Kayak on the Seine
• •DiscoverMORE: In the footsteps of Van Gogh (extra expense)

Day 11

Today, after breakfast, it’s time to bid ‘au revoir’ to France, leaving with memories of wonderful experiences onboard the MS Emerald Lumi along the Seine River.

• •Breakfast on board
• •Disembark and transfer to airport
• •Depart Paris for home