Essence of the Seine

Tour Begins: 4:00 PM. A transfer is included upon your arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or the Gare de Lyon, Charles de Gaulle, or Gare du Nord train stations to your riverboat on the Seine. Settle into your cabin and join fellow guests for a welcome reception, wine presentation, and dinner in Compass Rose to commence your 6-day journey through France.

After morning cruising, Rouen comes into view. Nicknamed the "city of a hundred spires" by Victor Hugo, Normandy's historic capital enchants with bell towers, half-timbered houses, narrow cobbled lanes, and storied squares. On a locally guided walking tour, discover where medieval history and Gothic architecture reveal themselves at every turn – including the square where Joan of Arc was famously tried and martyred in 1431. When you see Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen this morning, you may recognize it from one of Claude Monet's 30-plus paintings of France's tallest cathedral. Following your morning tour, enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the romantic historic center and its many shops. This evening, an elegant Tauck-exclusive experience awaits with a private tour, live music, and dinner at the 16th-century Château du Taillis – a Renaissance treasure renowned for its manicured grounds.

This morning, arrive in Caudebec-en-Caux for a poignant visit to the beaches of Normandy. Led by a local expert, delve into the events, heroism, and sacrifices of June 6, 1944, and the Allied liberation of Western Europe. Visit Pointe du Hoc, where 225 U.S. Army Rangers scaled 100-foot cliffs to disable German weapons threatening Omaha and Utah Beaches. Walk Omaha Beach, one of the five D-Day landing sites, where history comes alive on the sand beneath your feet. Pause for lunch at nearby 18th-century Château La Chenevière, a graceful English-style country manor with French flair, before reflecting at the Normandy American Cemetery – the final resting place of more than 9,300 American troops. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a cocktail reception and dinner in the Compass Rose.

Your final day in Normandy leads you to Vernon – a quaint village renowned for its half-timbered mill above the Seine. Today, tour Château de Bizy, a mid-18th-century royal palace often nicknamed "Little Norman Versailles," and once owned by relatives of King Louis XV and Napoleon. Step inside its elegant salons, parlors, and stables to glimpse aristocratic life in France. Spread across roughly 200 acres, its manicured lawns are adorned with statues and ornate fountains. Back onboard, experience the flavors of the region with a presentation on cider and calvados by a local producer this afternoon. In Normandy, more than 3 million apple trees yield over 60 million bottles of cider each year, continuing a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages. After your tasting, set off on a sunset cruise toward Paris and enjoy the Chef's Signature Dinner in Compass Rose this evening.

Artists, writers, and lovers alike have flocked to Paris for centuries – drawn to this city of love, where charming cafés energize the streets, the Eiffel Tower sparkles on the Seine, and elegant buildings are jeweled with wrought-iron balconies. Today, choose how you wish to explore: take a guided coach tour around the City of Light, including a visit inside the opulent 19th-century opera house; or join a walking tour of Le Marais – a former marshland turned aristocratic haven – where cobblestone streets, stylish boutiques, and the graceful Place des Vosges, Paris's oldest square and once home to Victor Hugo, capture the city's timeless charm. This afternoon, explore one of Paris' many world-class museums, where its artistic soul comes vividly to life. Later, return to the riverboat for a farewell reception and the Chef's Signature Dinner, followed by a French jazz performance by Cynthia Queenton.

Tour Ends: Paris. Disembark ship by 9:00 AM. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from your ship to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Gare de Lyon, Charles de Gaulle, or Gare du Nord train stations. Please allow 3 hours for international flight check-in.