Day 1
Monday, June 3: Bienvenue
Arrive on individual flights into Paris’ Charles de Gaulle International Airport. Spend the day at your leisure, transferring independently to the MS Renoir for embarkation at 5:00PM. (Luggage may be stored on the ship earlier in the day.) After time to settle into your cabins, gather with your fellow travelers this evening for a celebratory welcome dinner as you cruise under the bridges of Paris and marvel at Paris by night. Depart for La Roche-Guyon.
Included meal: Dinner
Accommodations: MS Renoir
Day 2
Tuesday, June 4: La Roche-Guyon
Arrive in La Roche early this morning. After breakfast, depart with a local guide to visit the Château de la Roche-Guyon. Originally built in the 12th century as a river-crossing control post over the Seine, the castle became Field Marshall Rommel’s headquarters during the war. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of lectures by your on-board experts. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as the ship sets sail for Honfleur.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: MS Renoir
Day 3
Wednesday, June 5: Arromanches, Omaha Beach, and Pointe du Hoc
Disembark at Caudebec en Caux to discover the D-Day beaches and logistics involved in this enormous operation. Travel to Arromanches, where you will meet your local guide to see some of the vast concrete blocks towed over from Britain, remnants of the enormous, prefabricated Mulberry harbor, where Allied supplies landed. Put yourself at the center of the D-Day landings at the Arromanches 360° Circular Cinema and visit the Arromanches D-Day Museum. After a picnic lunch, travel to one of the most dramatic sites along the Normandy coastline, Pointe du Hoc, where U.S. Rangers used hooks and ropes to scale cliffs some 100 feet high in order to destroy key German gun positions. Walk along clifftop pathways still cratered by mortar blasts, and venture into the concrete bunkers from which German forces unleashed a barrage of artillery fire. Conclude the afternoon wandering along Omaha Beach, site of the bloodiest fighting of the invasion day. Meet your ship in Honfleur for dinner and overnight in port.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: MS Renoir
Day 4
Thursday, June 6: The 80th Anniversary of D-Day
On the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, observe official ceremonies and commemorations at the American military cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer (subject to confirmation). On this major anniversary, these poignant ceremonies will likely be attended by heads of state and other dignitaries. (Details to be announced.) Return to your ship this evening for dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: MS Renoir
Day 5
Friday, June 7: Honfleur
Enjoy a day at leisure in the picturesque port town of Honfleur, which attracted many Impressionist painters. The city was spared significant damage during the war and was liberated in August 1944 by British, Belgian, and Canadian forces without combat. Given the city’s strategic position on the right bank of the Seine, this represented, for many, the end of the Battle of Normandy. You may choose to join your on-board experts for lectures and discussions throughout the day, stroll through Honfleur’s charming streets, revealing its historic charm and half-timbered buildings, or visit Sainte-Catherine, France’s largest wooden church. Your ship will depart in the evening for Rouen.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: MS Renoir
Day 6
Saturday, June 8: Rouen
This morning, visit the charming medieval city of Rouen with its cobblestone streets and timbered facades. The Allied bombing campaign in France to slow down the movement of German personnel, weapons, ammunition, and other vital supplies hit Rouen particularly hard. Today there is little evidence of the ravages of war in the city. A guided walking tour will focus on the Bombardment of Rouen during World War II, including memorials, the Palace of Justice, and a visit to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, where you will learn how close it came to being completely destroyed. Return to the ship for lunch and engage in further discussions with your experts this afternoon. As you set sail for Paris, enjoy the picturesque scenery that inspired so many artists in the 19th century.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: MS Renoir
Day 7
Sunday, June 9: Paris
Arrive in Paris this morning, and step ashore close to Bartholdi’s smaller version of Liberty Enlightening the World, better known as the Statue of Liberty, which symbolizes the special relationship between France and the United States. A guided tour this morning looks at the liberation of the city from August 19-25, 1944, starting at the Arc de Triomphe and traveling down the magnificent Champs Elysées to Place de la Concorde, following the path taken by Charles de Gaulle and the liberators. Visit the Liberation Museum, newly designed and reopened in August 2019. Return to your ship for lunch or enjoy the afternoon exploring Paris before gathering for a farewell dinner on board and toasting your journey, the Allies, and new friends.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: MS Renoir
Day 8
Monday, June 10: Au revoir
Disembark after breakfast and transfer independently to the airport for flights home or onward.
Included meal: Breakfast