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Uniworld River Cruises, Grand France, River Cruise Vacation Package
Duration: 16 Days / 15 Nights
Priced From: $3,839 pp (Cruise Only)
Dates: Mar - Oct
Ship: River Baroness / River Royale
From: Paris to Arles
From the bridges of Paris to the beaches of Normandy to the sunny Mediterranean landscapes, you’ll experience all of France—with its dramatic scenery, world-class cities, charming towns, Roman ruins, opulent palaces, and fields of vineyards and lavender—in a manner of unsurpassed style and comfort. You’ll soon discover why the backdrop of so many artists’ canvases were of the French countryside, and you’ll understand why some of the finest wines in the world come from these sun-baked vineyards.
Itinerary
| Day 1: |
Depart Home Gateway City to Paris |
| Day 2: |
Paris (embark) |
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Arrive at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport, where you’ll be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship. (D) |
| Day 3: |
Conflans Ste Honorine (Auvers-sur-Oise) |
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Featured Excursion: Auvers-sur-Oise tour |
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The village of Auvers-sur-Oise may seem familiar to those who know Van Gogh’s work. He lived and died here, and in just 70 Days, he painted the surrounding countryside and many of the local sites and people of this quaint little town. The Auberge Ravoux, the Church of Auvers-sur-Oise, the Wheat Fields, and countryside – all immortalized on canvas but also part of the everyDay life in this quiet village along the River Oise. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner) |
| Day 4: |
Rouen |
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Featured Excursion: Walking Tour of Rouen |
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Our visit to Rouen will take you to the stunning gothic cathedral of Rouen, painted so vividly by Monet, the haunting medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed tiles houses, and the Gros Horloge, a renaissance clock tower that arches overhead. The walk ends at Vieux Marche, where Joan of Arc was punished for her defiance. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 5: |
Rouen (Normandy Beaches) |
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Featured Excursion: Full-Day tour to Normandy Beaches |
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Spend the Day at the location where one of the most famous Days in recent world history took place—the beaches at Normandy—site of the D-Day Invasion by the Allied forces during World War II. The Invasion of Normandy holds the distinction of being history’s largest amphibious combat operation. You’ll visit the American Cemetery at Colleville, the allied landing sites at Omaha beach, the battlefield of Pointe du Hoc and Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches, all haunting reminders of freedom hard fought for. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 6: |
Caudebec (Honfleur) |
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Featured Excursion: Visit to Honfleur |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Extend your Honfleur excursion with a visit to a family-owned country estate producing cider and Calvados brandy in Normandy’s charming countryside |
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Travel overland to Honfleur, a charming French harbor town favored by artists such as Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet. Go on a walking tour from the former smuggler’s harbor of Vieux Bassin—the most often painted scene in Honfleur where the fishing village backdrop is seemingly unchanged from over 100 years ago—through the pedestrian streets to the medieval town center. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 7: |
Vernon (Giverny) |
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Featured Excursion: Monet’s Giverny* *Giverny will be closed MonDays. During November departures and a visit to Versailles Palace will be included instead. Versailles Palace is closed on MonDays |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Visit the stunning palace and gardens at Versailles, the official residence of the kings and queens of France from 1682 until 1790 |
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Visit Monet’s home in his beloved village of Giverny, where he lived for 43 years, until his death in 1926. You’ll explore Monet’s house, furnished as it was when the leader of the Impressionist school lived here, including his precious collection of Japanese engravings. Strolling the gardens, you’ll see the familiar Japanese bridge and water garden shaded by weeping willows, with its pond still full of water lilies that so inspired this master’s work. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner) |
| Day 8: |
Paris |
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Featured Excursion: Paris city tour |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Spend time in one of the most famous museums in the world, the Louvre,* and/or enjoy an illuminated cruise through Paris in the evening *The Louvre is closed on TuesDays, January 1, May 1, May 8, December 25, and groups are not allowed on the first SunDay of each month. |
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We begin our city tour with a drive up the grand boulevard Champs Elysée and past the Arc de Triomphe. We’ll stop for a photo opportunity at the Eiffel Tower before continuing to Place Vendome, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Latin Quarter. We’ll then go to Les Invalides, the Louvre courtyard and the Luxembourg Gardens, where we will see a slice of daily Parisian life—gentleman playing boules and children sailing boats on the glassy pond—as well as view Bartholdi’s model for the Statue of Liberty. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 9: |
Paris (disembark), transfer to Châlon-sur-Saône (embark) |
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Disembark your ship in Paris and transfer to Châlon-sur-Saône. Embark on your new ship and begin your journey exploring beautiful southern France. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 10: |
Châlon-sur-Saône (Beaune), Lyon |
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Featured Excursion: Beaune & Hospices de Beaune |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Southern Burgundy vineyards |
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Centered in the heart of Burgundy, Châlon is an important center for France’s wine trade. From here, we will journey to nearby Beaune to visit the famous Hospices de Beaune. Marvel at the multicolored roofs of this architectural jewel that has become one of the symbols of Burgundy. Founded in the 15th century, the Hospices were given some vineyards so they could make wine to auction off to support charities, and toDay the tradition still continues. (BB, L, Captain’s Welcome Dinner) |
| Day 11: |
Lyon |
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Featured Excursion: Lyon city tour |
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The city was founded by Julius Caesar about 2000 years ago, and as a result, it has a wealth of Roman remains, as well as many impressive museums, renaissance architecture galore, and – of course – world-renowned cuisine. We’ll start our tour with a drive to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, Lyon’s hallmark church, for a dramatic view of the town built at the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône Rivers. From the bus, we’ll view Terreaux Square, the Fine Art Museum, and the Opera House. During the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore. Rent one of the public bicycles to ride in the many parks and squares along the Rhône, walk through the renaissance quarter with its maze of medieval passageways, or simply relax with a glass of Beaujolais at one of the many taverns. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 12: |
Tournon, Tain L’Hermitage, Viviers |
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Featured Excursion: Tasting & Tournon walking tour |
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Nestled among the famous vineyards, the twin cities of Tournon/Tain L’Hermitage provide the perfect setting for those who are true connoisseurs of chocolate and wine. Celebrate the region by indulging in some Côte du Rhone wines. Cross the Marc Seguin suspended bridge and visit Tournon and its historic castle. Discover the secrets of world-famous Valrhona chocolate during an informative onboard lecture and tasting arranged by the Valrhona School of Chocolate. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 13: |
Viviers, Avignon |
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Featured Excursion: Viviers walking tour |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Truffle farm & Chateauneuf du Pape wine tasting |
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Charming Viviers has retained much of its old charm and was developed around its Romanesque cathedral. Our tour in Viviers starts in Old Town with an introduction to the city. We’ll stop by Rue Chèvrerie, Porte Riquot, Maison des Chevaliers, Rue du Chateau, and Maison Élémentaire du Commerçant. Finally, we’ll walk through the medieval streets of this charming town on our way back to the ship. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 14: |
Avignon |
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Featured Excursion: Avignon walking tour and Palace of the Popes |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Provençal countryside and magnificent Luberon villages |
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Nestled in the lush hills of the Rhône Valley, lies the medieval walled city of Avignon. Named the “City of the Popes,” it was the center of the Catholic Church in the 14th century when the Palace of the Popes was the equivalent of toDay’s Vatican. Your walking tour of Avignon starts at Clocktower Square, with its many cafes, shops and namesake clock tower dating back to the 1300s, and now part of the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall). Next, it’s on to Pope’s Palace Square for an inside visit of the grand Palace of the Popes. (BB, L, D) |
| Day 15: |
Arles |
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Featured Excursion: Arles walking tour |
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Irresistible Optional Tour: Tour of Olive Farm |
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The name of Arles is closely connected with that of Vincent Van Gogh. Inspired by the unique Provençal light, he spent a period of intense and impassioned work under the bright sunny sky of Provence. During your walking tour discover Van Gogh’s Arles as well as the fascinating wealth of Romanesque monuments, such as the Roman Amphitheater and Constantine’s Roman baths. (BB, L, Captain’s Farewell Dinner) |
| Day 16: |
Arles (disembark), transfer to airport in Marseille |
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Disembark the ship in Arles and transfer to Marseilles Airport for your flight home. |
Save time, money and stress!
For reservations: Fill out the Uniworld River Cruise vacation planner to be contacted by a Uniworld, Europe River Cruise vacation specialist.
Contact : Travelwizard.com
Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252
10/08
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