Paris and Normandy with The Traveling Professor and AmaWaterways

Introduction

Paris and Normandy with The Traveling Professor

Paris and Normandy with The Traveling Professor and AmaWaterways

Paris always sizzles, while Normandy beckons with its stunning coastline, incredible food, artistic beauty, and deeply moving history. This journey blends the pleasures of French culture with the ease and elegance of river cruising, creating an experience that is both enriching and relaxing. Along the Seine, each day reveals another layer of Northern France: charming riverside towns, medieval streets, Impressionist landscapes, grand châteaux, historic harbors, and some of the most meaningful sites of World War II.

Monet’s gardens in Giverny and the charming harbor town of Honfleur will inspire you much as they inspired the great Impressionist painters. In Rouen, you will walk through one of France’s great medieval cities and stand near the place where Joan of Arc met her martyrdom. In Normandy, you will have the opportunity to visit the unforgettable beaches where Allied forces landed on D-Day, forever changing the course of history. You will also experience the pleasures of the region: cider, Calvados, cheeses, chocolates, breads, fresh seafood, and the gentle landscapes that make Normandy so beloved.

With The Traveling Professor and AmaWaterways, this cruise offers a beautiful balance of comfort, discovery, reflection, and enjoyment. It is ideal for travelers who want to see Paris and Normandy in a thoughtful, well-organized way, with carefully selected excursions, scenic cruising, and memorable cultural experiences along the Seine.

Journey Highlights

At a glance

Paris and Normandy with The Traveling Professor and AmaWaterways

Map

Day 1 - Paris Embarkation and Welcome

Begin Your Journey in Paris and Board Ship

Paris – Embarkation

Your journey begins in Paris, one of the most beloved and beautiful cities in the world. This is the day when anticipation turns into reality, as you arrive in the French capital and prepare to board your AmaWaterways ship for your Paris and Normandy cruise along the Seine. Whether you have just arrived from the United States or have spent a few extra days enjoying Paris beforehand, embarkation day offers the wonderful feeling of settling in, unpacking once, and knowing that the pleasures of Northern France are about to unfold in comfort and style.

Settle into Your Stateroom

After boarding the ship, you will have time to settle into your stateroom and become familiar with your surroundings. One of the great pleasures of river cruising is the ease it provides. There is no need to change hotels every night, no long daily packing and unpacking, and no complicated transfers between cities. Your ship becomes a comfortable home base, carrying you from one unforgettable destination to the next. Once aboard, you can relax, meet fellow travelers, enjoy the welcoming atmosphere, and begin to ease into the rhythm of the cruise.

AmaWaterways Hospitality

This first day is also a chance to appreciate the quality and hospitality that AmaWaterways is known for. The ship offers inviting public spaces, attentive service, comfortable accommodations, and meals that reflect the pleasures of the regions you will be visiting. As travelers gather onboard, there is a shared sense of excitement. Some are drawn by the art and gardens of Normandy, others by the history of D-Day, others by Paris itself. Together, these interests create a rich and varied journey.

Evening in Paris

As evening approaches, the lights of Paris begin to glow, and the city takes on its famous golden beauty. The Eiffel Tower, bridges, domes, rooftops, and riverbanks remind you that this cruise begins in one of the great capitals of Europe. Depending on the schedule, you may enjoy time onboard with a welcome briefing, dinner, or simply a relaxed evening watching Paris unfold around you.

Day 2 - Les Andelys and Château Gaillard

Discover Les Andelys and Château Gaillard

Arrival in Les Andelys

This morning brings your first full day of discovery along the Seine, as the ship arrives near Les Andelys, one of the most picturesque settings in Normandy. Nestled along a graceful bend in the river, Les Andelys is known for its beautiful views, quiet charm, and dramatic medieval history.

Visit to Château Gaillard

For many travelers, the visit to Château Gaillard is a highlight of the day. Perched high above the Seine on chalk cliffs, the ruins of the fortress command sweeping views of the river valley below. Richard the Lionheart, King of England and Duke of Normandy, built Château Gaillard as a powerful defensive stronghold during a time of intense rivalry between England and France.

Guided Tour of Château Gaillard

Guests may choose a guided morning tour that explores the history of the château and its surroundings. This option offers an excellent opportunity to learn about Richard the Lionheart, medieval Normandy, and the role of the Seine as both a route of trade and a line of defense.

Hiking to Château Gaillard

For those who enjoy a more active experience, there is often an option to hike from the banks of the Seine up toward Château Gaillard. This choice adds a sense of accomplishment to the visit, as the path gradually reveals wider and wider views of the countryside.

Guided Bike Tour in Les Andelys

Another appealing option is a guided bike tour through Les Andelys and the surrounding area. Cycling offers a different perspective, allowing travelers to move at an easy pace through the town, along quiet streets, and through scenic riverside landscapes.

Scenic Cruising Along the Seine

After the morning’s adventures, the day continues with scenic cruising along the Seine. This is one of the great pleasures of river travel: the ability to enjoy the landscape as part of the journey itself. As the ship glides along the river, you may see cliffs, villages, church towers, farms, pastures, and wooded hills.

Blend of History, Scenery, and Relaxation

This day offers a wonderful blend of history, scenery, and relaxation. From the dramatic ruins of Château Gaillard to the quiet beauty of the Seine, Les Andelys introduces travelers to the rich character of Normandy and sets the tone for the days ahead.

Day 3 - Le Havre and Honfleur

Discover Le Havre and Honfleur's Coastal Charm

Excursion to Honfleur

A featured excursion takes you to Honfleur, a town that has enchanted artists, writers, and travelers for generations. Honfleur is best known for its picturesque old harbor, the Vieux Bassin, where narrow, tall buildings line the waterfront and fishing boats reflect in the water.

Explore Honfleur

As you explore Honfleur, you may find yourself wandering along cobblestone streets, browsing small shops, admiring galleries, or pausing at a café near the harbor. The town has a graceful, intimate feeling, with historic churches, timber-framed buildings, and quiet corners that invite leisurely discovery.

Visit Church of Sainte-Catherine

The Church of Sainte-Catherine, built largely of wood by shipwrights, is one of Honfleur’s most distinctive landmarks and reflects the maritime character of the town.

City Tour of Le Havre

Later in the day, you may have the opportunity to explore Le Havre itself. Much of the city was rebuilt under the direction of architect Auguste Perret, whose use of reinforced concrete and modern urban planning helped create a distinctive cityscape. Le Havre is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of this remarkable postwar reconstruction.

Tasting Tour in Le Havre

Another option may be a tasting tour through Le Havre, with regional delicacies from a local boulangerie or other specialty shops. Normandy is known for its culinary richness, and this type of excursion offers a delicious introduction to the flavors of the region.

Guided Bike Tour in Le Havre

More active travelers may choose a bike tour through Le Havre, enjoying the city from a different perspective. Cycling allows you to experience the city’s layout, waterfront, open spaces, and architecture in a lively and engaging way.

Contrast of Honfleur and Le Havre

This day offers a wonderful contrast: the old-world charm of Honfleur and the modern resilience of Le Havre. Together, they tell a broader story of Normandy as a place of beauty, creativity, reinvention, and deep connection to the sea.

Day 4 - Le Havre, Normandy Beaches, and Caudebec-en-Caux

Experience Normandy Beaches and WWII History

American Sector Excursion

Travelers who choose the American sector excursion will visit several of the most significant sites connected with the U.S. landings. One of the most moving stops is the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. The setting is peaceful and beautifully maintained, yet deeply emotional. Rows of white crosses and Stars of David mark the resting places of American service members who gave their lives in the liberation of Europe. For many visitors, this is a quiet and unforgettable moment of reflection.

Visit to Omaha Beach

The excursion also includes Omaha Beach, one of the most difficult and costly landing areas of D-Day. Standing on the beach today, with the tide, sand, bluffs, and open shoreline before you, helps bring the events of June 6 into clearer focus. The landscape itself tells part of the story.

Visit to Longues-sur-Mer Battery

You may also visit the German artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer, where large guns and concrete emplacements remain as powerful reminders of the Atlantic Wall.

Visit to Arromanches

Another important stop is Arromanches, where remnants of the artificial Mulberry harbor can still be seen offshore. These floating harbors were an extraordinary engineering achievement and played a crucial role in supplying the Allied armies after the landings.

D-Day and Normandy Invasion Insights with Professor Steve Solosky

Professor Steve Solosky, author of 'The Traveling Professor’s Guide to Visiting the Normandy Invasion Beaches' plans to join us on this journey and will give us special insight to the stories behind D-Day and the Normandy Invasion.

British and Canadian Sectors Excursion

Another excursion option focuses on the British and Canadian sectors, including Gold and Juno beaches. This route may include Ranville Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge, the Canadian cemetery at Bény-sur-Mer, the World War II museum in Courseulles-sur-Mer, and Arromanches. These sites broaden the story of D-Day, reminding travelers that the invasion was a massive Allied effort involving many nations.

Visit to Pegasus Bridge

Pegasus Bridge, captured by British airborne forces in the early hours of D-Day, is especially memorable for the daring and precision of the operation.

Pays d’Auge Countryside Excursion

For those who prefer a different kind of Normandy experience, a full-day excursion to the Pays d’Auge region offers a delicious journey into the countryside. Here, apple orchards, half-timbered villages, cider, Calvados, and pommeau represent another side of Normandy’s identity. The region is known for its rich agricultural traditions and beautiful rural scenery, making this a flavorful and relaxing alternative to the battlefield excursions.

Visit to Seine Museum in Caudebec-en-Caux

Later, in Caudebec-en-Caux, travelers may also have the opportunity to visit the Seine Museum, where interactive exhibits and historic vessels illuminate the importance of the river to the region.

Reflection on Normandy Experiences

Whether your day is spent at the beaches, in the countryside, or along the river, this is a day that leaves a lasting impression. It is a reminder that travel can be beautiful, educational, emotional, and deeply meaningful all at once.

Day 5 - Rouen

Discover Rouen's Medieval Heritage and Flavors

Guided Walking Tour of Rouen

A guided walking tour is one of the best ways to experience Rouen. As you move through the old city, you will encounter a remarkable collection of historic buildings and atmospheric streets. The Medieval Quarter is especially appealing, with its narrow lanes and beautifully preserved half-timbered structures. Rouen’s Great Clock, or Gros-Horloge, is one of the city’s most famous landmarks.

Visit to Joan of Arc Sites

Rouen is also closely associated with Joan of Arc, one of the most compelling figures in French history. In 1431, she was burned at the stake in the city’s market square after being tried for heresy. Today, the square where she died is a place of remembrance, and visitors can reflect on her courage, faith, and lasting importance to France. The modern Church of Saint Joan of Arc stands nearby, with a striking design that contrasts with the medieval surroundings while honoring her legacy.

Visit to Rouen Cathedral

Rouen is also home to one of the great Gothic cathedrals of France, famously painted by Claude Monet in a series exploring light, color, and changing atmosphere. The cathedral’s façade, spires, and intricate stonework make it one of the city’s most impressive sights.

Tastes of Normandy Tour

Another excursion option is the 'Tastes of Normandy' tour, which introduces you to the delicious flavors of the region. Normandy is known for its apples, cider, cheeses, butter, cream, chocolate, and pastries. This experience allows you to enjoy the city through its culinary traditions, sampling regional specialties while learning about the food culture that makes Normandy so beloved.

Guided Bike Tour in Rouen

More active travelers may choose a guided bike tour, offering a lively way to see Rouen and its surroundings. Cycling provides a different rhythm, allowing you to cover more ground while still enjoying the city’s character and riverside setting.

Visit to Château de Bonnemare

Later, the day includes a visit to Château de Bonnemare, a beautiful 16th-century architectural treasure surrounded by picturesque poplar trees. This château offers a graceful glimpse into Normandy’s historic estates and rural elegance. Its architecture, setting, and atmosphere provide a lovely contrast to the bustling streets of Rouen.

History, Beauty, Food, and Reflection

This day offers history, beauty, food, architecture, and reflection in equal measure. Rouen is a city that rewards curiosity, and whether you are drawn to Joan of Arc, Monet, medieval streets, or Norman flavors, it is sure to be one of the memorable stops along the Seine.

Day 6 - Vernon and Giverny

Artistic Inspiration and Gardens of Giverny

Visit to Monet's Home and Gardens in Giverny

One of the most popular choices is a visit to Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny. For art lovers, garden enthusiasts, and travelers who simply appreciate beauty, this is a truly special experience. Monet lived in Giverny for more than four decades, and it was here that he created the gardens that inspired some of his most famous paintings. As you walk through the property, you may recognize the scenes that appear in his beloved works: water lilies floating on the pond, the Japanese bridge arching gracefully over the water, willow trees reflected in soft light, and flower beds arranged with color and movement in mind.

Tour of Monet's House

Guests may also tour Monet’s house, where the rooms reflect his personal taste, daily life, and love of color. The cheerful exterior, interior spaces, and garden views all help create a fuller picture of the artist beyond the canvas. This excursion is especially rewarding for those who have admired Impressionist art and want to experience the landscape that shaped it.

Visit to Château de Bizy

Another wonderful option is a visit to Château de Bizy, an elegant 18th-century château often referred to as the 'Versailles of Normandy.' Inspired by the grandeur of Versailles, the château offers stately architecture, beautiful grounds, and a sense of aristocratic refinement. An escorted tour introduces you to the history of the estate, while the gardens provide a peaceful setting for strolling and photography. A cider tasting adds a delicious regional touch, connecting the château visit with one of Normandy’s most famous traditions.

Guided Bike Tour in Vernon and Giverny

For travelers who prefer a more active adventure, a guided bike tour offers the chance to enjoy the French countryside at a comfortable pace. Cycling through this region allows you to appreciate the quiet roads, river views, village scenes, and rural beauty that make Normandy so appealing.

Alternative Tour if Monet's Gardens Closed

Please note that Monet’s gardens may be closed during certain times of year, in which case an alternative tour will operate. Whatever option is offered, this day is designed to capture the beauty, grace, and artistic spirit of the region.

Celebration of Art and Landscape

Vernon and Giverny provide one of the most visually memorable experiences of the cruise. Whether your day is filled with Monet’s gardens, a château visit, or countryside cycling, it is a celebration of art, landscape, and the quiet pleasures of Normandy.

Day 7 - Paris

Discover Paris, City of Light and Culture

Guided City Tour of Paris

A guided city tour offers a wonderful overview of Paris and its most renowned sights. You may see the Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, rising above the city with its iconic iron silhouette. You may also pass grand boulevards, historic squares, impressive monuments, and beautiful river views that help define Paris as one of Europe's great capitals. A guided tour is especially valuable because it places the city's landmarks into context, connecting architecture, history, politics, art, and everyday Parisian life.

Wine-Themed Experience at Musée du Vin

A special wine-themed experience at the Musée du Vin adds another dimension to the day. Located in the heart of the city, this museum celebrates the history, tools, traditions, and culture of French winemaking. Its permanent collection includes more than 2,200 items that pay tribute to generations of winemakers, cellar masters, oenologists, coopers, and others who helped shape one of France's most famous cultural traditions.

Guided Bike Tour in Paris

For those who prefer a more active way to see the city, a guided bike tour offers a lively and engaging alternative. Cycling through Paris allows you to take in sights, monuments, hidden passages, and historic corners from a different perspective. With a guide leading the way, you can enjoy the movement and atmosphere of the city while learning about its stories and landmarks.

Free Time in Paris

The rest of the day may offer time to savor Paris in your own way. Perhaps you will enjoy a café, browse a shop, take photographs along the Seine, visit a favorite neighborhood, or simply sit and watch the city pass by. Paris rewards both structured sightseeing and quiet wandering.

Final Day Reflections

This final full day of the cruise brings together many of the themes of the journey: beauty, history, culture, food, art, and the pleasure of travel done well. Returning to Paris is not simply an ending; it is a reminder of why France continues to enchant travelers year after year.

Day 8 - Paris Disembarkation and Farewell

Farewell to Paris and End of Cruise

Paris – Disembarkation

This morning, your Paris and Normandy cruise comes to a close as you bid farewell to your AmaWaterways ship, your crew, and the fellow travelers who have shared the journey with you. Disembarkation day is always a mixture of emotions. There is the practical matter of preparing for flights home or onward travel, but there is also time to reflect on the remarkable variety of experiences packed into this elegant journey along the Seine.

Reflections on the Journey

You began in Paris, one of the world’s most celebrated cities, where the river itself seems to carry centuries of culture, romance, and history. From there, the Seine led you into Normandy, a region of extraordinary contrast and depth. You saw medieval towns and modern cities, dramatic cliffs and peaceful countryside, seaside harbors and historic beaches, gardens that inspired great art, châteaux that recalled aristocratic elegance, and places of remembrance that spoke to courage and sacrifice.

Cruise Highlights and Memories

This cruise offered far more than a simple itinerary. It was a journey through some of the most meaningful landscapes in Northern France. In Les Andelys, you encountered the medieval world of Richard the Lionheart and Château Gaillard, with its commanding views over the Seine. In Honfleur, you experienced the harbor light and coastal beauty that helped inspire Impressionist painters. In Le Havre, you saw a city rebuilt with vision and resilience after the destruction of World War II. Along the Normandy beaches, you had the opportunity to stand in places where history changed forever on D-Day.

Rouen, Vernon, Giverny, and Return to Paris

Rouen brought you into the heart of medieval Normandy, with its half-timbered streets, Gothic architecture, Great Clock, and powerful connection to Joan of Arc. Vernon and Giverny offered another kind of inspiration, allowing you to step into the world of Claude Monet and see the gardens that shaped some of the most beloved paintings in art history. Finally, Paris welcomed you back with its monuments, wine culture, elegance, and unmistakable sense of place.

Ease and Comfort of River Cruising

One of the great benefits of river cruising is the comfort and ease of the experience. Rather than moving from hotel to hotel, you unpacked once and allowed the ship to carry you from one destination to the next. Each day offered choices, whether you preferred history, food, art, architecture, scenic cruising, or active exploration. This flexibility made the journey personal, while the overall itinerary provided a rich and thoughtfully arranged experience.

End of Journey and Lasting Memories

As you prepare for your flight home, you may find yourself thinking about the moments that stayed with you most: the view from Château Gaillard, the harbor at Honfleur, the quiet rows at the Normandy American Cemetery, the story of Joan of Arc in Rouen, the colors of Monet’s garden, the taste of cider or cheese, the glow of Paris at night, or the simple pleasure of cruising along the Seine. The journey ends in Paris, but the memories will continue long after you return home. This is the kind of trip that combines beauty with meaning, comfort with discovery, and relaxation with lasting insight. It is Northern France at its most moving, most delicious, and most memorable.

Loading Map…

Map

1. Paris

Paris, France

2. Les Andelys & Château Gaillard

Château Gaillard, 27700 Les Andelys, France

3. Le Havre

Le Havre, France

4. Honfleur

Honfleur, France

5. Normandy American Cemetery (Colleville-sur-Mer)

Normandy American Cemetery, 14710 Colleville-sur-Mer, France

6. Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach, 14710 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France

7. Longues-sur-Mer Battery

Batterie de Longues-sur-Mer, 14400 Longues-sur-Mer, France

8. Arromanches

Arromanches-les-Bains, France

9. Pegasus Bridge

Pegasus Bridge, 14860 Ranville, France

10. Rouen

Rouen, France

11. Château de Bonnemare

Château de Bonnemare, 27380 Radepont, France

12. Vernon

Vernon, France

13. Giverny (Monet's House and Gardens)

Fondation Claude Monet, 84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France

14. Château de Bizy

Château de Bizy, Avenue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 27200 Vernon, France

15. Caudebec-en-Caux (Seine Museum)

Musée de la Seine Normande, 76490 Caudebec-en-Caux, France