Northern France offers a wealth of experiences for art and history lovers - Artists throughout the centuries have found inspiration in these regions, from the suburbs of Paris to the fishing villages of Normandy.

You'll see many favorite Impressionist works “come to life” as you visit Claude Monet's house and garden at Giverny, the beautiful fishing village of Honfleur on the Seine esturary and Auvers-sur-Oise where Van Gogh painted over 70 canvases!

Then, imagine walking the beaches where the Allied forces landed during World War II's D-Day invasion- a day crucial to victory; seeing the sight where Joan of Arc was martyred in the lovingly preserved medieval quarter of the port city of Rouen, or visiting Versailles, the cradle of the French Revolution.

And did we mention Paris, the grand “City of Light”. This is one unforgettable, all-inspiring journey that you won't want to miss.

Detailed Itinerary:

May 26 - Depart Toronto for overnight flight to Paris

May 27 - Arrive in Paris and transfer to the River Baroness Rivership, our home for the next 7 nights. In the evening we will take a cruise through the centre of Paris as she shows us that she is truly the City of Light. (L, D)

May 28 - PARIS - Included Excursion - City Tour
On our included city tour we will drive up the grand boulevard Champs Elysees and past the Arc de Triomphe. We'll stop for a photo opportunity at the Eiffel Tower before continuing to Place Vendome, the Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Latin Quarter. It's then on to Les Invalides, the Louvre courtyard and the Luxembourg Gardens, where we see a slice of daily Parisian life; gentlemen playing boules and children sailing boats on the glassy pond. The afternoon is free for personal exploring and tonight is the Captain's Welcome Dinner. (B, L, D)

May 29 - PARIS - Included Excursion - Auvers-sur-Oise Tour
From the charming French village of Conflans, we take you to a favoured spot for artists of the Impressionist Period - Cezanne,Corot, and especially Van Gogh. The village of Auvers sur Oise may seem familliar 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 the countryside - all immortalized on canvas but also part of the everyday life in this quiet village along the River Oise. (B, L, D)
Optional tour - Palace and Gardens at Versailles

May 30 - ROUEN - Included Excursion - Walking Tour of Rouen
Onboard Highlights - Insightful Lectures. Today we travel back to the Middle Ages on a visit to the well-preserved city of Rouen, best known as the city where Claude Monet painted the Cathedral of Rouen. Our visit will take us to this stunning Romanesque Cathedral which he painted so vividly, and the beautifully preserved medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses, the Vieux Marche - site of Joan of Arc's punishment for her defiance, and the Gros Horloge, a Renaissance clock tower that arches over the medieval street. (B, L, D)

May 31 - LE HARVRE - Included Excursion - Full-day Tour to Normandy Beaches
We'll spend the day at the location where one of the most famous days in recent world history took place - the landing beaches of Normandy - site of the D-day Invasion by the Allied forces during World War II. We will journey back into the past and visit the haunting reminders of freedom hard fought for at Omaha, Juno and Gold Beaches and Mulberry Harbour at Arrowmanches, a feat of military engineering with remnants that can still be viewed today. (B, D)

June 01 - LE HARVE - Included Excursion : Visit to Honfleur
On Board lecture: Insightful history and culture lecture. Honfleur is a charming French habour town favoured by artists such as Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet, who painted its fishing boats and slate-covered houses, among other picturesque vistas that have changed little over time. We will see for ourselves as we take our walking tour from the former smuggler's habour of Vieux Bassin, the most often painted scene in Honfleur where the fishing village backdrop is seemingly unchanged from over 100 years ago, through pedestrian streets, lined with artists workshops, to its Medieval Centre. (B, L, D)

July 02 - VERNON (GIVERNY) - Included Excursion: Visit Claude Monet's House and Gardens
Today we visit Claude 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, until his death in 1926. We will explore his house, decorated and furnished just as it was when the leader of the Impressionist School lived here, including his precious collection of Japanese engravings. Strolling the gardens, we will 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. (B, L, Captains Farewell Dinner)

June 03 - PARIS - Disembark - Homeward Flight

COST: Land & Cruise Based on
Twin Sharing/person         Single
Category 3 - $2399.00     $3839.00
Category 2 - $2579.00     $4129.00
Category 1 - $2879.00     $4609.00
Plus applicable taxes $110.00 per person

Ship Details - Click Here

***FULL PAYMENT DUE UPON BOOKING*** Extras:

• International Airfare
• Travel Insurance

Sample Airfare:

• Toronto - $659.00 + $230.38 tax
• Montreal - $639.00+ $226.30 tax
• Vancouver - $1069.00 + $244.56 tax

*Airfare is subject to space and availability at time of booking

*We will be happy to assist with arranging airfare from your home city

***PRE-OPTIONAL EXTENSION*** PARIS - Add four days before your Paris and Normandy Grand River Cruise with a tour that explores the artistic side of Paris - Montemarte and a guided tour of the Louvre. Crowned by the Sacred White Basilica so beloved by the Parisians, the village of Montmarte is still today a favorite residence of budding artists. Combine the home of great artists with the home of great art during a visit to the Louvre. Of course, no stay in Paris is complete without spending time savoring the fine French cuisine at any number of bistros and tucked away cafes.

Included in your 4-day Grand City stay:

• 3 nights at Le Meridian Montparnasse (or Similar) with breakfast daily
• Airport to hotel and Hotel to ship transfers
• Fully Hosted by Uniworld Representative
• Included “Arts & Artists” city tour of Montmarte and the Louvre.

Cost: $839.00 Based on Twin Sharing
$1199.00 Based on Single