Impressionist France
£2,709pp
Itinerary
The French are known for their style and taste, and as you make your way from Bordeaux to Brittany, Normandy to Flanders, notice how each new vista appeals to an artist’s eye. Island fortresses exude a fairytale magic – the breathtaking abbey perched on Mont St. Michel, imposing St.-Malo filled with pirate lore, the Ville Close of Concarneau with its romantic drawbridges. Everywhere you look are scenes that beg to be captured on canvas, or perhaps already are – stunning La Rochelle built of luminous white limestone, Quimper’s gargoyle-embellished cathedral, Monet’s fabulous Japanese garden in Giverny, and Versailles, its gardens as magnificent as its gilded interior. History here escapes the books and leads you on a wild scavenger hunt. Bone up on the Norman Conquest in the threads of the 11thcentury Bayeux Tapestry. Uncover the hearts and souls of medieval prisoners in the graffiti of La Rochelle’s Old Port towers. Read the story of St. Ronan carved into the wood pulpit of Locronan’s church. Relive the battle before the battle of D-Day in the bullet holes on Pegasus Bridge. Your spring timing is perfect for wandering gardens and flower markets, quaint Old Towns and the shops of Rue de Rennes in Paris. And with three overnight stays and smaller ports of call that are closer to the sights than big ships get, you can spend more time in the places you want to see most.
Day to Day Itinerary
| Date | Country | Port | |
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| Day 1 | Netherlands | Amsterdam | |
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Amsterdam, the Venice of the North, where more than 1,500 bridges arch gracefully over scenic canals. The stately 17th century homes of Dutch merchants line the canals and museums are everywhere, filled with masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. Most of the sightseeing essentials are conveniently collected in the Canal Ring, the central area of the city which is designated as a UNESCO site. Here you'll find the Anne Frank House, the Royal Palace, the Red Light District, and most of the museums. Mind all the bicycles! |
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| Day 2 | Belgium | Zeebrugge | |
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The entire city center of Bruges has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with Flemish and Renaissance architecture made all the more beautiful when reflected in the city's many canals. Shop for legendary lace, or a pint of Belgian beer. |
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| Day 3 | Belgium | Zeebrugge | |
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The entire city center of Bruges has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with Flemish and Renaissance architecture made all the more beautiful when reflected in the city's many canals. Shop for legendary lace, or a pint of Belgian beer. |
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| Day 4 | France | Rouen | |
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This port city on the Seine River and gateway to Paris is full of beautiful architecture and is an art-lover's delight. Museums are plentiful here including the Historial Jeanne d'Arc and the Musee des Beaux-Arts with the second-largest collection of Impressionist works in France. Stroll the many local markets full of fresh produce and flowers and dine at one of the incredible restaurants featuring fresh ingredients from this region. |
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| Day 5 | France | Rouen | |
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This port city on the Seine River and gateway to Paris is full of beautiful architecture and is an art-lover's delight. Museums are plentiful here including the Historial Jeanne d'Arc and the Musee des Beaux-Arts with the second-largest collection of Impressionist works in France. Stroll the many local markets full of fresh produce and flowers and dine at one of the incredible restaurants featuring fresh ingredients from this region. |
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| Day 6 | France | Rouen | |
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This port city on the Seine River and gateway to Paris is full of beautiful architecture and is an art-lover's delight. Museums are plentiful here including the Historial Jeanne d'Arc and the Musee des Beaux-Arts with the second-largest collection of Impressionist works in France. Stroll the many local markets full of fresh produce and flowers and dine at one of the incredible restaurants featuring fresh ingredients from this region. |
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| Day 6 | France | Honfleur | |
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Sitting on the estuary where the Seine River meets the English Channel, the charming character of this harbor town has been the subject of artists like Claude Monet and Eugene Boudin. The 15th century St. Catherine's church is an interesting vaulted timber structure built by shipbuilders. And a walk along the edge of the Honfleur Estuary will pass town gardens, beaches, and a view of the Normandy Bridge. You can also find the intriguing local cider along the Route du Cidre. |
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| Day 7 | France | Saint-Malo | |
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Once notorious as the home of pirates, St.-Malo today is better known for the UNESCO site monastery and town of Mont St. Michel and the famous oysters of nearby Cancale. Walk the city's ramparts, or pass the time at a seaside boulangerie sampling a fresh and buttery croissant. |
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| Day 9 | France | Lorient | |
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A unique feature in this seaport steeped in maritime history is that only one cruise ship a day can come here so a visit to this town is exclusive. Visit the Church of Our Lady of Victory, a UNESCO site with a bell tower made of concrete. Also find the Tour de la Decouverte and climb the 216 steps to a panoramic view of the port and sea. |
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| Day 10 | France | Bordeaux | |
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Bordeaux has long been known as La Belle au Bois Dormant, Sleeping Beauty. And while the beauty part is undeniable, the sleeping part could be argued. Sure, the region is filled with treasures from long ago, including more than 350 historic monuments and buildings in the city alone. But the capital of Aquitaine is also home to a vibrant culture and, as oenophiles well know, is the gateway to some of France's most famous vineyards. In this UNESCO World Heritage city, 13th century cathedrals and 18th century palaces are commonplace. Venture beyond the city's borders to the chateaux of the Médoc region or to Saint-Émilion, a breathtaking medieval village set among the vineyards that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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| Day 11 | France | Bordeaux | |
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Bordeaux has long been known as La Belle au Bois Dormant, Sleeping Beauty. And while the beauty part is undeniable, the sleeping part could be argued. Sure, the region is filled with treasures from long ago, including more than 350 historic monuments and buildings in the city alone. But the capital of Aquitaine is also home to a vibrant culture and, as oenophiles well know, is the gateway to some of France's most famous vineyards. In this UNESCO World Heritage city, 13th century cathedrals and 18th century palaces are commonplace. Venture beyond the city's borders to the chateaux of the Médoc region or to Saint-Émilion, a breathtaking medieval village set among the vineyards that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
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