Paris - Palace of Versailles (approx. 4 hours)
A 30-minute bus ride (traffic dependent) takes you to beautiful Versailles located on the outskirts of Paris. The ornate palace occupied by French kings from King Louis XIV to Louis XVI is a visual delight embellished by several generations of architects, sculptures, decorators and landscape architects. Built in 1682, the palace of Versailles is included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites and is the epitome of extravagance with its marble sculptures, rare woods, crystal chandeliers and gilded carvings. Equally beautiful are the formal gardens with their detailed sculptures and fountains.
In the 17th century this famous Baroque palace with its vast landscaped gardens was to be copied numerous times all over Europe. As a reflection of Absolutism, Versailles stood for power, monarchs, mistresses, pomp, opulence, art, and courtesans. Your visit starts with a 75-minute walking tour through the “Grands Appartements” including the unique Hall of Mirrors and Coronation Hall. Afterwards, you have some free time to stroll through the gardens. Please note that the walkway from the bus across the palace’s courtyard is a 300 m (984 ft) cobblestone path. You may encounter a waiting time at the entrance gate.
Les Andelys - Château Gaillard and Church - Battle tested Crusaders (approx. 2 hours)
Picturesquely located on a chalk rock commanding the river Seine at the Andelys meander, the Château Gaillard was built as an impressive stronghold of the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart, King of England and Duke of Normandy. The palace was part of a defense system protecting the Normans against the French. In 1204, it was conquered by the French King Philippe II Auguste who became Duke of Normandy in the same year. Under Henry IV the fortress was demolished and put under monumental protection in 1852. A 30-minute drive takes you to the palace’s parking lot where a 30-minute uphill walk takes you along a rocky path to the ruins of Château Gaillard. Passengers for whom the walk is too strenuous can stay in the bus and enjoy the beautiful view over the Seine Valley, the town of Les-Andelys with the castle in the foreground. The nave already dates from the 13th century, the remarkable windows and the organ inside recommend an inside visit.
Caudebec-en-Caux - Villequier and St. Wandrille - Church, Monastery, Cloister (approx. 3.5 hours)
The Normandy is known for its wealth of churches, monasteries, and culinary highlights. At first you drive by bus to the town of Villequier, where a stroll takes you along the banks of the Seine River past picturesque half-timbered houses. Sadly, the town will always be associated with the drowning of poet Victor Hugo's young daughter and her husband during the Seine flood in 1843. A section of the Victor-Hugo-Museum commemorates the couple. Afterwards, you drive to the 7th century Benedictine Abbey St. Wandrille which suffered great damage from attack by the Vikings in 841 and was rebuilt in the 11th century. To this day monks live in this monastery. You visit the 14th-15th century cloister before you have some leisure time to independently explore the area. Before you return to the ship, you visit the church Notre Dame of Caudebec-en-Caux, a masterpiece of intricate Late Gothic architecture.
Vernon (Giverny) - Monet House & Gardens - Master of Outdoor Painting (approx. 3.5 hours)
Giverny is a small town in the vicinity of Vernon and well known to art lovers. Here you find the house and gardens where the great French Impressionist Claude Monet lived (1840-1926). To inspire him year round the artist, who grew up in Le Havre, planted a sea of flowers around his house, now home to the Claude Monet Foundation. It was here that Monet painted the famous water lilies. During a walk through the gardens you can assure yourself of the authenticity of the original. The land of painters, especially Impressionists, Normandy has over decades attracted many artists eager to capture the region’s hazy light that hangs like a veil on canvas.
