Uniworld Cruise

Paris to Arles - Grand France

This Grand France trip combines Paris and Normandy with Burgundy and Provence into one grand adventure. From the historic sights at Normandy to the sunny beaches of the Cote d’Azur, it’s all here. Your trip starts in Paris, one of the most stunning and exciting cities in the world. After seeing the sights in the “City of Light,” you’ll board your ship for an incomparable tour of both northern and southern France. In the northern provinces, you’ll pay your respects to the soldiers of World War II on the beaches of Normandy, and you’ll visit charming harbors and villages so inspirational to the beloved French artists of the Impressionist era. Then you’ll sail south through the heart of Provence and Burgundy, visiting Medieval villages, and vineyards. You’ll bask in the warmth of the Provencal countryside and delight in magnificent meals. This is Grand France, and it’s yours to enjoy!

Who will enjoy this cruise: Connoisseurs of everything French—their culinary masterpieces, their sensuous wines, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, quaint villages, picturesque harbors and sites of historic greatness. Vive La France!

Included Features

• 14-night cruise in an outside stateroom on River Baroness or River Royle
• All meals onboard the ship
• 14 shore excursions with English-speaking guides
• Captain’s Welcome & Farewell Dinners
• Exciting onboard entertainment and insightful lectures

Included Highlights

• Seine Cruise
• Paris City Tour
• Auvers-sur-Oise Tour
• Walking Tour of Rouen
• Full-Day Normandy Beaches
• Visit to Honfleur
• Monet’s Giverny
• Mâcon Walking Tour
• Lyon City Tour
• Wine Tasting and Tournon City Tour
• Viviers Walking Tour
• Walking Tour and Papal Palace
• Walking Tour and Papal Palace

The Ships

Itinerary

Day 3 Paris
We begin our Paris city tour with a drive up the Champs Elysées and past the Arc de Triomphe. We’ll stop at the Eiffel Tower, and then continue on to Notre Dame Cathedral, Latin Quarter, Les Invalides, the Louvre courtyard and the Luxembourg Gardens.

Day 4 Conflans Ste Honorine
Auvers-sur-Oise was a favorite spot for artists of the Impressionist Period – especially Vincent van Gogh. See many of his famous canvases come to life – “Auberge Ravoux,” the Church of “Auvers sur Oise,” and the “Wheat fields.”

Day 5 Rouen
Rouen is best known as the site where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. In Rouen, you’ll view the stunning Romanesque cathedral painted so vividly by Monet, the Medieval quarter, the Gros Horlage, and the Vieux Marche – site of Joan of Arc’s punishment for her defiance.

Day 6 Le Havre
You’ll spend the day at the beaches of Normandy, site of the D-Day Invasion by the Allied forces during World War II. The tour includes Pegasus Bridge, the American Cemetery at Colleville, the Landing Museum in Arromanches, the Allied landing sites at Omaha, Juno and Gold Beaches.

Day 7 Le Havre
Honfleur is a charming French harbor town favored by artists such as Courbet and Monet, who painted its fishing boats and slate-covered houses. This walking tour takes you from the former smuggler’s harbor of Vieux Bassin through the pedestrian streets, lined with artists workshops.

Day 8 Vernon
Visit Monet’s home in his beloved village of Giverny. The unique light of the area’s Seine River Valley in Normandy kept Monet in residence for 43 years. You’ll explore Monet’s house and stroll the gardens, where you’ll see the familiar Japanese bridge and water lilies that so inspired this artist’s work

Day 9 Paris to Châlon This is a travel day where you’ll rejoin the ship in Châlon for the second half of this fabulous Grand France tour.

Day 10 Mâcon and Lyon
On your guided tour, you’ll learn about the rich history of Mâcon and its role in the wine trade. You’ll see the Hospital of the Charité, St. Pierre Church, and the Wooden House, a charming half-timbered Renaissance house.

Day 11 Lyon
We’ll start our tour with a drive to a good vantage point to see the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, Lyon’s hallmark church. 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 France’s culinary capital.

Day 12 Tain L’Hermitage/Tournon
Since this region is known for its Côte du Rhône wines, you’ll get to enjoy them at a wine tasting at the Cellar Ferraton. We’ll then cross the beautifully-flowered Marc Seguin Bridge for a tour of Tournon and its historic castle.

Day 13 Viviers
Our tour in charming Viviers starts in Old Town built around its Romanesque cathedral, with facade and solitary tower that still survives today.

Day 14 Avignon
Your walking tour of Avignon starts at Clocktower Square, with its cáfes, shops and namesake clocktower. Next, it’s on to Pope’s Palace Square for an inside visit of the Palais des Papes. After visiting the palace museum, we’ll make our way up to Rocher des Doms, where Avignon was first settled.

Day 15 Arles
Our tour of this friendly Mediterranean town, known for its unique Provencal light starts with a walk downtown, then on to the Roman Amphitheater. Our next stop will be St. Trophime Cathedral, a Romanesque cathedral built in the 12th century. After this, we’ll visit the museum Espace Van Gogh, and pass by Forum Square and Constantine’s Roman Baths.

Day 16 Depart Arles (Marseille)
Disembark the ship and transfer to the airport in Marseille for your flight home.

Cost of This Trip