Near La Rochelle, there is a famous area of unique charm: The Poitevin Marshland , described as "The Green Venice," a patchwork of marshes offering unique scenery and a glimpse of fascinating wildlife. Driving through the countryside, located along the quiet canals, you will stop nearby the village of Coulon . Local boatmen will take you for a ride in their flat-bottomed punts to discover a picturesque universe in a labyrinth of shaded canals, concealed in a forest of trees: these wet marshes offer unique and original scenery. The Green Venice's exceptional ecosystem and location on the Atlantic coast has earned it a spot on the list of Regional Natural Parks. As your boat slips across the water's placid surface, marvel at the astonishing quiet of the marsh, completely silent except for the occasional sounds of the resident wildlife and the ones coming from the scattered small white-washed houses, homes of the happy inhabitants of this land. You may see plovers, swans, snipes, and ashen and crimson herons. Depending on the season, you may even observe hundreds of wild geese making their migration to Spain. Your skilled captain will guide your boat through the tunnels created by the arched limbs of poplars and ash, along the shores of property owned by prosperous farmers and past small, picturesque villages. But be warned: the "red hand," which according to legend lurks below the thick carpet of duckweed, may reach out and catch you. Having spied the many intriguing creatures of the marsh, disembark your boat and, after a short transfer, enjoy some free time to venture through the streets and traditional houses of this little village of Coulon settled in the heart of the marshland Please note : Total walking time is about 30 minutes. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Your tour will begin driving by the outside of the submarine base built by the German navy during World War II which became the setting for the movie Das Boot. A German stronghold, La Rochelle was the last French city to be freed at the end of the war. En route to La Rochelle pass the sea front, Port-Neuf district , and the elegant gardens of Le Mail. Enter the city center from the Verdun Square and La Rochelle Cathedral. You will disembark the tour bus close by the Saint Sauveur Church and continue the guided tour on foot: discover the Old Harbor with the two towers at the entrance of the harbor, the larger of these is Tour Saint-Nicolas (15th century, 138 feet high), the other, Tour de la Chaîne (14th century), was built to house the great chain now lying at its base, which used to be strung across to St Nicolas each night to safely close off the harbor from attack. Continue towards the archway of the Great Clock giving access to the mostly pedestrian Old District. See the many arcaded streets and elegant architectural buildings from different periods: The Hôtel de la Bourse (18th century, with its two wings joined by a columned gallery), the Law Court (rebuilt in the 18th century with a Corinthian style façade), the House of Henry II (Renaissance), the Town Hall (Renaissance building, Henri IV period) in the heart of old town, protected by a surrounding Gothic wall. During the walking tour, visit the WWII Museum located in a former German underground bunker in the heart of the city. This bunker was used as refuge by the German Kriegsmarine officers and the museum represents the life of La Rochelle during the Second World War. Enjoy some free time to discover the city on your own before re-boarding your coach and driving back to ship Please note : Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the town of La Rochelle with its picturesque harbor, surrounded by medieval fortifications and a wide skyline which opens to you along this half-day motor coach tour departing from the pier. Take a scenic drive along the picturesque sea front of La Rochelle: La Corniche, the elegant gardens of Le Mail, the Harbor and its two towers. One of the towers is called the Chain Tower which for centuries safely chained off the harbor each night. The Great Clock will welcome you to the Old District where your walking tour will start. La Rochelle Old Town ancient arcades once sheltered the 16th century craftsmen's workshops on cobblestone streets. You will discover architectural treasures from many different periods: 15th and 16th century half-timbered houses, splendid 18th century Hotel de la Bourse , the Law Court with its Corinthian façade and the Renaissance-style house of Henry II . The imposing Town Hall features a Renaissance lodge in the courtyard and a monumental staircase. Continue your guided tour to the stomach of the city : the bustling food market where you can discover the local gems and produce! Continue your gourmet time with an oyster tasting paired with wine ! You will then have some free time to explore this interesting town and its food market on your own. The return journey will take you through the very fine gardens established on the site of the ancient ramparts. Before re-boarding your ship you will pass by the commercial harbor of La Pallice , once used as a submarine base during World War Two. Please note : Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. The order of sites visited may vary. Total walking time will be about 3 hours (including exploration on your own). This tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues.

At a distance of about 9 miles from La Rochelle, Ré is one of the jewels of the Charentaise coast. A bridge nearly two miles long has linked it to the continent since the beginning of 1988. As soon as you reach the Island, you will be won over by the atmosphere and brightness (the Island inspired many painters) and charmed by its quiet but lively fishing ports surrounded with ramparts. First, you will stop in the village of St Martin-de-Ré, the Island capital which is known for its penitentiary. After a guided walking tour of the village to explore the port, you will have time at leisure to enjoy the narrow streets or simply enjoy a refreshment at one of the numerous café terraces with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Please note : Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. Order of sights visited may vary.

Enjoy a 40-minute panoramic transfer from your ship to St. Martin-de-Ré on Ré Island, the historical capital of the island, where you will meet your bicycle guides at the bicycle rental next to the harbor. You will listen to a quick presentation and then bicycles, helmets, baskets and lockers will be distributed. You will then depart for the 10-mile guided bicycle tour starting from the harbor and finishing in Ars-en-Ré village. You will tour St Martin-de-Ré, a bustling town with houses steeped in history, outside terrace cafés, and a vast urban surrounding wall of huge dimensions and semicircle shape declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. You will get on one of the most beautiful cycle paths of the island towards La Couarde . Passing by oyster huts, just next to the Atlantic Ocean, you can have a break with a lovely ocean view or just enjoy the beautiful scenery. After La Couarde, you now cross a salt marsh area where annually about 2,500 tons of salt and 250 tons of Fleur de Sel are mined, Fleur de Sel is considered one of the world's finest salts. Finally you will arrive in Ars-en-Ré with its picturesque harbor, the most important one of the island, and its white and black church tower. The village is as well classified as one of the "most beautiful villages of France" and is well known for its hollyhock lined streets and the surrounding salt pans, which have been in use for the last 800 years. Please note : Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes and sportswear. Bring bottled water from ship.

St.-Malo was named after the 6th century monk who converted the locals to Christianity. Once a haven for pirates, it was also an important port in the voyages of discovery. Cartier sailed from here to Canada in 1534. Soon after, St.-Malo began to flourish as a trading port, not only through the furs sent back from the New World, but also due to the plentiful cod fishing. Meet your guide pierside to begin your walking discovery of the charms of the Old City of St. Malo. Your knowledgeable guide points out the sites of historical interest as you stroll the narrow streets. View the castle, part of the ramparts protecting the town, the town's typical streets, the house of Duchess Ann, and the cathedral. Also get acquainted with the more famous personalities of St. Malo, such as Jacques Cartier, Duguay-Trouin, Surcouf and the well known romantic writer Chateaubriand. Enjoy a stop at a creperie for a refreshment before returning to the ship. Please note : This excursion involves walking over uneven surfaces, and is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties. It is recommended that you dress in warm, layered clothing, wear flat, comfortable shoes, and bring raingear in case of inclement weather.

Mont St. Michel is considered one of the great religious sites in all of Europe and is often compared to St. Peter's, Chartres, and Durham. First built following the appearance of Archangel Michael to the Bishop of Avranches, the abbey is constructed at the summit of an immense granite precipice 250 feet above the sea - a monument to the heyday of Norman power and influence in the world. Mont St. Michel makes its strongest impression when seen from a distance, on the approach from a 5-mile long causeway at Pontorson where Mont St. Michel joins the mainland. Once at the abbey, your guided tour on foot will involve numerous stairs and steep paths - yet you are rewarded with magnificent views at every juncture. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. You'll have free time to stroll the labyrinth of streets , browse the shops, and take in this magnificent architectural achievement. Following your exploration, return to the yacht along the coastal road, passing small towns and traditional fishing harbors along the way. Please note : Inside the abbey, proper attire is required (no shorts or bare shoulders) and flash photography is not permitted. Due to its great popularity large crowds of visitors must be expected at the site. This tour requires heavy walking; up and downhill and on cobblestones. To reach the very top takes climbing between 197-350 steps. Due to new regulations motor coaches are no longer allowed to enter Mont St. Michel. There is a 20-30 minute from the parking lot to the shuttle bus that will take you to Mont St. Michel.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 3 - 6 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

You will depart from pier for the 75-minute drive to Fort Lalatte . This spectacular headland, set on 229-foot-high pink sandstone cliffs, offers breathtaking sceneries, among the most beautiful ones in Brittany. Heathland, covered with a wide variety of heather and gorse species, creates a landscape of colors changing with the seasons. Follow your guide on about a 2-hour walk along the coastal guard's path. Listen to the stories of the two lighthouses standing there, admire seabirds nesting in the neighboring small island. End your hike at the Cap Fréhel where you will enjoy a time at leisure for a personal discovery before you drive back to St. Malo. Please note : Wear casual comfortable clothes and flat walking shoes. Bring rain protection.

Departing from Saint Malo, drive to Dinan via Barrage de la Rance, a unique power station that works with the tides. About 45 minutes along the winding road through lovely countryside will bring you to Dinan, located at the head of the Rance estuary on which its little port is built. On arrival you will start a walking tour of this charming medieval town. See the houses of the Old Town clustered together behind the long circuit of walls built by the Dukes of Brittany in the 14th century as protection against the Normans. You will see St. Sauveur's Basilica ; Place des Merciers, with its triangular gables and porches, and Rue du Jerzual , which links the main part of the town with the port. After this tour you will enjoy a refreshment and local pancake together with some time at leisure before returning back to St.-Malo. Please note : You will be walking on cobblestones at Dinan. It is recommended that you dress in warm, layered clothing and wear flat, comfortable shoes. You should also bring raingear in case of inclement weather.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guid e, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 3 - 6 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide , you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Known as the oyster capital of Brittany, Cancale is an ideal destination for anyone interested in an authentic taste of French culture. Situated on the bay of Mont St. Michel, Cancale garners most of its resources from the sea. In particular, oysters have been a famed harvest since the days of Julius Caesar, when these sea delicacies were savored by his soldiers. King Louis XIV also enjoyed oysters and received daily deliveries of these delicious mollusks. You will discover why Cancale is renowned for its oysters as you independently experience the town. Stroll the pier where you can see the expansive oyster beds and stop in one of numerous restaurants to sample the oversized oysters for which the region is so well known. With a guided visit to an oyster farm, you will taste 9 oysters. Return to the ship with your appetite for local food and culture having been satisfied. Please note : This excursion involves walking over uneven surfaces, and is not recommended for guests with walking difficulties or limited mobility. It is recommended that you dress in warm, layered clothing, wear flat, comfortable shoes, and bring raingear in case of inclement weather.

Guernsey, Guernsey Cliff Walk & Cream Tea (Strenuous)

Guernsey, Castle Cornet Town Walk (Strenuous)

Situated to the west of Cherbourg, la Hague is known as an island within an island - a place where all types of landscapes are found , including steep cliffs sheltering hidden creeks, sandy beaches, shady green valleys, traditional villages with omnipresent granite houses, schist and sea. You will take the coastal route towards Urville-Nacqueville and Griville-Hague , birthplace of the painter Jean-Frangois Millet, then on to Omonville-la-Petite-one of the most picturesque villages of la Hague with its old houses. Continue to Port Racine, a charming little fishing village and the smallest active fishing post in France. Here, the lighthouse and lifeboat station protect local boats from the dangerous Raz Blanchard Channel between the coast and the Nez de Jobourg. To continue the visit in the heart of Normandy, enjoy a typical Norman snack in a restaurant with an incredible view of the port. After snacking stop at the Nez de Jobourg -one of the most impressive sights of la Hague with its famous cliffs up to 360 feet high. Please note : Bring your camera and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. You will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore . See the iconic sites of Cherbourg or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 1-3 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English-speaking guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the Cherbourg area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. You will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of Cherbourg or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 3 - 5 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English-speaking guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the Cherbourg area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Leave the pier for the 15-minute walk to the city center, where you will visit the Cherbourg Umbrella Factory and learn how Cherbourg Umbrellas became a reference on the luxury market. From the presentation of the different stages of making Cherbourg umbrellas to the exhibition of unique models created for luxury brands, discover some of the factory secrets. The handmade umbrellas can be purchased in the gift shop. After your visit, you will take a walking guided tour of Cherbourg. Situated within the arc of a broad and shallow bay, Cherbourg was dangerously exposed to northwesterly gales, and was never seriously considered a viable port before Vauban began to proselytize on its behalf. Learn about the exuberant daily activity of the fishing port and marina that are set right in the heart of town. Stroll along the manmade piers with their floodlighting following the rhythm of the tides, and appreciate the very special atmosphere of a town open to the sea. Some free time will be allowed in a gift shop before you walk back to the pier. Please note: Dress in casual comfortable clothes and wear flat comfortable shoes. Bring rain protection.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide. This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. You will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of Cherbourg or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own . Please note :Capacity: 3 - 5 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English-speaking guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the Cherbourg area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide . This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. You will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore. See the iconic sites of Cherbourg or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 1-3 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English-speaking guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the Cherbourg area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

You'll begin by boarding your motorcoach for the scenic drive to the small village of Sainte-Mère-Église, which played a dramatic role in the Normandy landings. Located along the route to Utah Beach, this town was a necessary place for the Allies to occupy in order to prevent the Germans from attacking the incoming troops. Early in the morning of June 6, 1944, American paratroopers descended into the town. One, John Steele, got his parachute hooked on the spire of the town's medieval church and hung there for several hours, feigning death, before the Germans took him prisoner. (This, and his later escape from the Germans, was depicted by actor Red Buttons in the film The Longest Day .) There were many casualties before the Americans finally occupied the town. After your photo stop at Sainte-Mère-Église, you will see the American Airborne Museum, the perfect key to understanding the sacrifices of these brave individuals. Then continue on to Utah Beach - the code name given to this landing spot on the Cotentin Peninsula - where at 6:30 a.m., on June 6th, the first American soldiers came ashore. Over the next six months, 836,000 G.I.s, 220,000 vehicles and 725,000 tons of supplies came onto the sand right here. After the stop drive back to Cherbourg. Please note : If time permits, your guide will stop at La Cambe. In 1944, one of the numerous American temporary cemeteries and today the largest German cemetery in Normandy (over 21,000 burials).

Take a 75-minute drive from the pier to Giverny. Monet's house and gardens at Giverny, on the right bank of the Seine, were a source of pleasure and inspiration to the artist who lived here for 43 years from 1883 to his death in 1926. See the famous lily pond that inspired this leading French impressionist to exhibit 10 different paintings of the same subject in 1900, each painted in a different light. Your visit will start with an unguided tour of Monet's pink-and-green painted house , where reproductions of his famous works are displayed, together with his own collection of Japanese prints and fine china. See the dining room, bedroom and 'blue' reading room before venturing into the garden for a guided visit. Replanted according to Monet's design, the central alley is covered with roses, and the colorful and unusual plants are indicative of Monet's passion for botany. A tunnel will take you from the main gardens to the Water Garden with its Japanese Bridge, bamboo trees, rhododendrons and weeping willow. Monet created this section of the garden after he bought an additional plot of land in 1893. Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide . This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore . See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 3 - 6 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Transfer to Paris via motor coach and start with an orientation tour along the main sites and monuments. You will have a whole day to discover this eternally romantic city and its boundless culture. When you see the Champs-Elysées , the modernity of the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame , the Gothic Cathedral par excellence, which went through a terrible fire in April 2019, you will understand why Paris is known the world over for its grandeur. You will be dropped off on the Champs Elysées for 2.5 hours of shopping and free time before boarding your bus for a continuation of your visit, culminating with a stop at the Eiffel Tower. Afterward, drive back to the pier. Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring euros for souvenirs and lunch.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide . This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own van. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore . See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 3 - 6 guests. Private vans are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private van, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Take a 60-minute drive from the pier to Jumièges . From the 5th century until today, the abbeys and churches of Normandy have played a significant role in history-not only spiritually, intellectually and artistically, but also politically and economically. At the height of their glory, there were 120 abbeys in the region. About half of these have survived the centuries and nowadays they represent a priceless architectural heritage. You will reach the Abbey of Jumieges, founded in 654 by Philibert. The history of this important Benedictine monastery has been punctuated by great crises and also by sumptuous rebirths. To this day, the Romanesque church continues to bear witness to its greatness. The abbey was destroyed after the French Revolution, when the monks were forced to abandon it, and now certainly a ruin, it retains a wonderful silhouette. Then enjoy a scenic drive to the village of Saint Martin de Boscherville , where you first visit the beautiful Romanesque Abbey of Saint Georges de Boscherville to see its sculpted columns and its beautiful garden. Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide . This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore . See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 8 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

Enjoy a panoramic tour of Paris to discover all the most important monuments and places in the capital during a lunch cruise on the Seine River. You will depart from Rouen, on the 2.5-hour drive to Paris via the highway. In Paris, start an orientation tour on your coach leading to the Eiffel Tower, and see some of the most famous highlights of Paris, like the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Your tour will be interrupted to have lunch on board a Seine River cruise boat, which will give you the opportunity to see Paris from a whole new perspective; from the bottom of the Eiffel Tower to l'Ile de la Cité and l'Ile St. Louis. You will cruise by both the left and right bank of the Seine River. See the main monuments of Paris: the Invalides, the Orsay Museum, the Concorde Square, the City Hall, the Louvre Museum, and Notre Dame Cathedral. After lunch, you will have some free time at the foot of the Eiffel Tower to buy some souvenirs or take a few pictures, before leaving your guide and driving back directly to Rouen. Please note: Wear casual dress code and comfortable shoes. This timing is subject to traffic conditions going to and leaving Paris.The sites mentioned could be seen in a different order. Bring euros for the hour you will have for shopping. This tour cannot be canceled less than 36 hours prior.

Enjoy a walking guided visit of the historical part of the city, as the night is falling. Through the dusk, discover the Old Market Place where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431, the medieval atmosphere of Gros Horloge Street and its belfry, and the shadows of the cathedral built over several centuries. As the last reminiscence of light is fading away, enter the majestic Saint Ouen Abbey , one of the most powerful Benedictine monasteries in Normandy between the 14th and 16th centuries. This majestic church is known for its 80 stained-glass windows and its great organ (the last one built by Cavaillé-Coll), which is one of the most recorded instruments of the world. Start your candlelit visit. The sparkling candles caress the walls of the gigantic abbey, and out of a dream, you will see it in front of your eyes, overwhelming and monumental. A few centuries back, monks were slowly and silently going from one room to another in the exact same conditions as you visit it today. Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes, and a pullover or sweatshirt (Rouen's evenings can be a little cold).

Explore at your leisure with a private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide . This exclusive tour will allow you to customize your time ashore and explore the most interesting sites in the comfort and privacy of your own car. With your private vehicle, and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore . See the iconic sites of the city, or create your own personal stops to make the experience your own. Please note : Capacity: 1-2 guests. Private cars are ordered per vehicle (not per person). This tour includes transport in a private car, driver and English Speaking Guide. Itinerary can be adjusted with tour guide as long as it's in the area and does not exceed the duration of 4 hours. Recommended for physically challenged guests.

A 45-mintue drive from pier will take you to Rouen. With its skyline of towers and spires, Rouen is the capital of Lower Normandy, its importance from Roman times onward being due to its role as the lowest bridging-point on the Seine . The alignment of its two main streets (Rue du Gros Horloge and Rue des Carmes) still reflects the layout of the early city. Rouen with its heritage of fine buildings and its many museums, offers its visitors a wealth of artistic delights. Your tour will begin with a drive to Saint Catherine's Hill for a very nice panorama on Rouen. Then enjoy a walking guided visit of the historical part of the city: the Old Market Place where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431, lined by timber framed houses, the Modern Joan of Arc Church completed in 1979, the Gros Horloge street and its belfry, the Law Courts seat of Normandy's parliament, the cathedral built over several centuries (from the 12th century to 16th century) which shows Gothic architecture. You will have some free time before driving back to the ship. Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Departure from Rouen for the 105-minute drive to Versailles via motorway. The Château de Versailles, which has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List for 30 years, is one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th century French art. The site began as Louis XIII's hunting lodge before his son Louis XIV transformed and expanded it, moving the court and government of France to Versailles in 1682. Each of the three French kings who lived there until the French Revolution added improvements to make it more beautiful. Versailles is known as the largest and most sumptuous palace ever built. The chateau was embellished with new apartments during the 18th century, under the reigns of Louis XV and Louis XVI. The Royal family and the court were forced to leave Versailles on October 6th 1789, after the first days of the French Revolution. You will discover the castle with your guide. Exclusively with the guide, you will "touch History" as your guide tells you the story of one of the beautifully binded, gold plated books of King Louis XV Versailles' library, while presenting this 297-year-old book to you. After this rare occasion, cross the gardens to enjoy lunch at the restaurant La Flotille next to the Château. You will have the opportunity to visit the magnificence of Versailles' gardens before getting some time on your own for independent visit and shopping. Please note; Wear comfortable walking shoes and euros for souvenirs.