NEW! Iberia, France & England Explorer

Follow your own interests in Paris, from must-see treasures to lesser-known gems, on this independent excursion. Transfer to the city with your guide, who will provide advice on tailoring your time here to suit your desires. Upon arrival, enjoy a brief orientation tour to get you acquainted with the city’s layout. You will leave your guide in the city center and have about three hours to explore. Browse the famous bookstore Shakespeare & Company, and stroll along the romantic Seine or the shop-lined Champs-Élysées. You will also have ample options for lunch on your own, perhaps at a sidewalk café that affords you the opportunity to linger over wine and watch Parisians stroll by. At an allotted time, you will meet your escort at a prearranged location for your return to your ship.

Explore the charming seaside city of Honfleur, a once-thriving trading hub near the mouth of the Seine River. The city now attracts artists and romantics with its lovely quays lined with colorful slate-fronted houses. A local guide shows you around this medieval gem during a walking tour along the boat-filled harbor front. Its quaint narrow houses were a favorite subject of impressionist painters, including Claude Monet. Cobblestone streets lead you to the fascinating and unique Saint-Catherine’s Church. The largest wooden church in France, St. Catherine’s dates from the 15th century. The roof is covered with chestnut shingles while the bell tower stands apart from the main church building to protect one or the other building from fire. Enjoy some free time in town before returning to your ship.

Journey to the seaside town of Fécamp, whose beautiful Benedictine Abbey gave its name to an herbal liqueur. Once the birthplace of Norman dukes, Fécamp’s prosperity grew on its fishing industry. Up until the 1970s, the port was France’s most important harbor for cod. Journey here with your guide and stop at the 13th-century Fécamp Abbey, known mostly for its monks—who, according to legend, first produced the Bénédictine herbal liqueur. But it was Alexandre Le Grand who created the concoction and connected it to the abbey to boost sales. Afterward, browse an exhibition of spices and plants from around the world and explore the distillery during a visit to the Palais Bénédictine. Enjoy a liqueur tasting before returning to your ship via a short stop at Étretat, renowned for its chalk cliffs and natural arches.

Honor the courage of Allied troops who changed the course of World War II on a moving visit to the D-Day Beaches. Drive by motor coach to the Normandy Coast, passing the three beaches—Gold, Juno and Sword—where British and Canadian troops came ashore. They have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2026. In Arromanches, see the remains of Mulberry Harbor, a port that allowed the Allies to land vast quantities of troops and supplies. Stop to visit one of the D-Day Museums, then continue along the seafront. After lunch, follow the coast to the UNESCO-listed Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. Located high on a cliff over Omaha Beach, it is the final resting place of nearly 9,400 American servicemen and women. Walk among its many white crosses and browse the visitor center. You will also stop at Omaha Beach, where you can take photos.

See the medieval quarter of the cultural capital of Normandy, visiting Rouen’s historic city center. Drive by motor coach to the “City of a Hundred Spires,” where Rouen’s most magnificent steeple rises from the Notre Dame Cathedral—a favorite subject of impressionist painter Claude Monet. Visit its stunning interior, which is the burial place of Richard the Lionheart, English king and Norman duke. Pass the equally impressive Church of St. Ouen and the St. Maclou Church, one of France’s finest examples of the Flamboyant style of Gothic architecture. Together, these three churches form a striking ensemble of important Gothic monuments. You will also admire the 14th-century Renaissance-style Gros Horloge Astronomical Clock, St. Maclou Ossuary, the Bourgtheroulde Mansion and several beautiful half-timbered houses. After your walk, you will transfer back to your ship.

Witness all that inspired the brilliant impressionist Claude Monet, from Giverny to Rouen. Drive through the countryside of Normandy, with its beautifully maintained meadows and fields. When you arrive in Giverny, your guide will lead you on a tour of Monet’s house and gardens. After the tour, you will have some free time to wander through the village of Giverny, which is much the same as it was a century ago. After lunch, it is on to Rouen, the capital of Normandy, where you will walk its cobblestone streets, discover the city’s rich history and view architectural highlights such as the half-timbered houses in the historic city center. You will also see the Notre Dame Cathedral that so captivated Monet, St. Ouen Abbey, St. Maclou Church and Ossuary, the Gros Horloge Astronomical Clock and the Bourgtheroulde Mansion. Afterward, you will return to your ship.

Learn to prepare a typical Norman menu, then share a meal at your chef’s lovely rural home. Drive by motor coach into the heart of the Auge region, with pastures and cows in the background. Upon arrival, you will meet your chef, Brigitte Dumant, at her country house La Longère des Marais (Long House in the Marshes) for your cooking lesson. Many years ago Brigitte fell in love with Normandy and its local food products. She was initiated into gourmet cooking at a very young age by her family, who have run many restaurants, and it became her passion. Before starting your lesson, enjoy the company of your host and the charming atmosphere of her house. Once ready, you will prepare a selection of typical Norman dishes before tasting and enjoying your meal in the garden, if the weather permits. After, bid farewell to your host and return to your ship.