9 Night Paris and Normandy Cruise and Land Tour from Paris

Arrive in Paris and check into your hotel.

Enjoy a morning tour of Paris, taking in all its iconic sites. Later in the day, visit Montmartre, long known as the city's premier artists' enclave. During the mid to late 1800s, artists also began calling Montmartre home. Pissarro and Jongkind were two of the first to live there, followed by other notable artists, including Edgar Degas, Henri Matisse, Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Pablo Picasso. For easy access to Montmartre, hop aboard the funicular railroad that ascends the hill. Montmartre's most recognizable landmark is the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur, constructed from 1876 to 1912. The white dome of this Roman Catholic basilica sits at the highest point in the city. After your visit to Montmartre, you'll be taken on an illumination tour, discovering why Paris is renowned as the "City of Light". (B)

After checking out of your hotel, you'll visit one of the world's most renowned museums, the Musee d'Orsay. Housed in the train station building, constructed by Victor Laloux for the 1900 World Fair, the Orsay is a national museum devoted to all the arts between 1848-1914. The various artistic movements represented include Academism, Realism, Impressionism, Symbolism, and Art Nouveau. Among the featured artists are Cezanne, Courbet, Daumier, Degas, Gauguin, Manet, Millet, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Rodin, Seurat, Sisley, and Van Gogh. You'll be taken to the ship after your museum visit. (B,D)

Board the ship in Paris for your Paris & Normandy cruise. (D)

Uncover the history of Chateau Gaillard, the former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart, situated on the chalk cliffs high above the Seine, on a morning tour. Or, if you prefer a more active adventure, you can hike there from the banks of the Seine, admiring the scenic views along the way. For those who wish to explore the area on two wheels, join a guided bike tour through the charming town of Les Andelys. After your adventures, set sail along the meandering Seine for a scenic cruise. (B,L,D)

There are several different choices of excursions, both during the morning and afternoon, depending on your interests. You can choose between an excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur, renowned for its picturesque harbor, and for being an inspirational site for Impressionist painters; or enjoy a full-day excursion that includes Honfleur and the delicious Pays d'Auge region of Normandy, where apple cider, Calvados, and Pommeau outrank French wine. Enjoy a country drive through Beaumont-en-Auge and Pont-l'Eveque, and afterwards, be treated to a cheese and Calvados tasting. During the afternoon, you can join a city tour of the UNESCO-designated Le Havre. Alternatively, you have the choice of a bike tour through Le Havre. (B,L,D)

Experience the Normandy region with one of three tours. For those wishing to go to the American sector of the historic Normandy Beaches, you will visit the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer, and the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. If you prefer, you can tour the Gold and Juno Beaches in the British and Canadian sectors, where you will visit Ranville Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge, the Canadian cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, the WWII museum in Courseulles and, finally, Arromanches. If you wish to experience a different kind of inspiration, the Romanesque Normandy Abbey Route will take you to one of the magnificent historic abbeys of the region. Later in the day, travel to Caudebec-en-Caux and journey back in time with the interactive exhibits and vessels at the Seine Museum. (B,L,D)

Spend the morning enjoying medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions. Join a walking tour past the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and see the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, as well as the Medieval Quarter and Great Clock. You also have the choice to explore Lyons-la-Foret, built on the site of a former fortress and featuring remarkable centuries-old architecture; go on the "Tastes of Normandy" tour, where you'll be treated to the delicious flavors of the region, including chocolate, macaron, Norman cheese, and cider; or get active by going on a guided bike tour. (B,L,D)

Enjoy scenic cruising around Vernon before disembarking the ship for your excursion. You will have a choice of three excursions, depending on your interests. Visit Claude Monet's home and gardens in Giverny. Art lovers will immediately recognize images immortalized in Monet's most beloved paintings-such as water lilies, Japanese bridges, and graceful willow trees. Wander around his famous gardens and home where he lived for more than four decades. Or, visit the regal 18th-century Chateau de Bizy, inspired by the opulence of Versailles. Enjoy an escorted tour of the palace and gardens. If you prefer a more active adventure, go on a guided bike tour, taking in the beautiful French countryside. (B,L,D); Please Note: Monet's Gardens may be closed; on such days, an alternative tour will operate instead.

Enjoy some of city's most famous sights during your panoramic tour. You will be guided through the charming Latin Quarter, home to the world-famous Sorbonne University, and through the stunning 400-year-old Luxembourg Gardens, created by King Henry IV's widow, Marie de' Medici. Or travel to Auberge Ravoux in the heart of Auvers-sur-Oise, the last home of artist Vincent van Gogh. His spirit still lingers in his former attic rooms at the Ravoux Inn. The mere 70 days Van Gogh spent in Auvers-sur-Oise were astonishingly prolific as he painted more than 70 works here before his death. In the afternoon, take in the beautiful sites of Paris on your way to the Musee du Vin, a famous wine museum, which is located in the heart of the city not far from the Eiffel Tower. Explore the permanent collection, which contains more than 2,200 items that pay tribute to generations of winemakers, cellar masters, oenologists, and coopers. Alternatively, cycle along the Seine River and travel along the hidden passages of Paris. (B,L,D)

Bid farewell to Paris and prepare for your flight home. (B)