The coach will drop you off in the city center and the guide will inform you when and where to meet the coach for the return trip to the ship. The tour includes approximately 3.5 hours on your own and does not include lunch or entrance fees.

The scenic drive along the coast takes approximately 45 minutes to reach the beautiful resort of Etretat. From the beach, you can see the two impressive chalk cliffs known as the "Arch and Needle." These famous landmarks are one of the most photographed landmarks in France. The bravest and fittest can walk the cliff for a truly spectacular view, while others may elect to stay in town and shop in the old streets or quaint market. Participants will have approximately one hour to walk the cliffs or explore the town.

The next stop is at the town of Fecamp, situated at the foot of some of the highest cliffs in Normandy. Fecamp is the home of the famous Benedictine Liquor, invented there by the monk Bernardo Vincellio in 1510. The Benedictine Abbey and Museum devoted to its production and rebuilt in 1892 after a fire, is one of the most popular attractions in Normandy. During the visit, you have the opportunity to see, smell and touch most of the 27 plants and herbs, which are blended together to produce the liquor. At the end of the visit, you will be given a taste of this famous liquor.

Your tour will start by Omaha beach, where the American troops suffered heavy casualties in one of the most costly of the D Day Battles. The austere and desolate appearance of the eastern part of the beach makes the invasion scenes easy to imagine, even today. Then you will then visit the huge American Cemetery of Colleville: overlooking Omaha beach, it contains 9,387 perfectly aligned white crosses, on a 170 acre plot.

Continue driving along the beaches to Arromanches, a modest seaside resort which owes its fame to the remains of a Mulberry harbour. After this morning of remembrance, you will enjoy a typical local lunch, in a restaurant which used to be a fortified farm, dating back to the 13th century.

In the afternoon, you will drive to the city of Bayeux, capital of the region of Normandy called Bessin, with a 20 hundred years history. It was the first French town to be liberated after D Day, and was fortunate not to have been damaged during the war. The town has been miraculously preserved through all these years and offers to visitors the charm of its old streets bordered by typical timber framed houses. There you will admire the world famous Tapestry of Bayeux : known as Queen Mathilda's tapestry, it is in fact an embroidery on a 70 meters ( 230 feet ) long linen clothe. It narrates the causes and the beginning of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, who became King of England after the battle of Hastings in 1066. The tapestry is considered as one of the most accurate and lively document to survive from the middle ages and provides detailed information on the clothes, ships , arms and general lifestyle during this period. You will then have some time to discover the old town on your own before driving back to Le Havre.

This tour will take you along the River Seine, the most important waterway of France. Begin with a visit to Giverny where the leader of the Impressionist School, the famous painter Claude Monet, lived from 1883 to 1926. The house, with its pink crushed brick facade, has a colorful decor keeping the intimate charm of former times. During the visit, you will see reproductions of Monet's main works, as well as a precious collection of Japanese engravings. The garden offers visitors the "Painting from Nature," which is considered as one of the painter's masterpieces. With its famous Japanese Bridge, its wisteria, azaleas and its ponds, it has once more become that casket of sky and water, which inspired the pictorial universe of the water lilies.

After having some free time in Giverny, drive to the countryside to have lunch in a restaurant which was once a windmill. After lunch, continue your drive to Rouen. As the capital of Upper Normandy, this city has a large number of well-preserved historic sites, including entire streets of timbered medieval houses and a rich collection of monuments. Begin your walking tour of the old Market Square and the modern church "Saint Jeanne d'Arc," with its 15th century stained glass windows. The windows were retrieved from the fire that destroyed St Vincent's Church, and were dedicated to Joan of Arc, who was burned at the stake in 1431. On your way to the Great Cathedral of Rouen, you will pass the impressive Gros Horloge with its 14th century belfry and the Justice Hall, one of the finest Renaissance styled buildings in France. The stonework of Notre Dame Cathedral best exemplifies this city's flamboyant Gothic architecture. Continuing along the cobblestone streets, you will see the Aitre St Maclou. You'll have some free time for browsing and shopping in the city center before returning to the ship.

You will pass through Normandy's fertile dairy country before arriving in the region of Brittany, and the Bay of Mont Saint Michel. The Bay is well known for its spectacular tidal variance. You will return to the ship via the same route. Restroom stops will be made en route to and from Mont Saint Michel. Once there, you will journey uphill through the twisted cobblestone walkways, passing old houses to the top of the rock crowned by the Abbey Church. Legend says there are 365 steps from the bottom to the top of the Mont! Completing this 30-minute walk, you will view the Abbey Church whose spire soars more than 500 feet. The Abbey is a masterpiece of Norman architecture. Inside you'll discover the ways of the monks by visiting their famous dining hall and the beautiful gothic cloister, which appears to be suspended between sky and sea.

After the guided portion of the tour, you will have free time in the charming village of Mont Saint Michel to explore the twisted passageways, old houses and shops. Lunch with French Sauvignon and Bordeaux wines will be served at a restaurant offering a panoramic view of the Mont Saint Michel Abbey.

You will visit the American Cemetery of Colleville located near Omaha Beach in the village of Saint Laurent. The cemetery stands as an eternal witness to the sacrifices made along these shores. You will see the American Memorial and grounds of the cemetery dedicated to those soldiers who fought and died on the beaches. Further, along the coast, a stop will also be made at Pointe du Hoc where three companies of the 2nd Ranger Battalion climbed the 100-foot cliffs on D-Day to capture this strategic position.

Continuing to the town of Caen, you will visit the Caen Memorial Museum. With its audio/visual effects and exhibits, you will trace the course of history from the causes of the two World Wars, to the Normandy landing and the collapse of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan. A full buffet lunch will be served at the memorial.

The train will drive past the cafe "Aux deux Moulins" described in the "Amelie Poulain" movie, then by Vangogh and Toulouse Lautrec houses. Once in Montmartre, the highest point in Paris, you will enjoy a view of the entire city. Proceed with the guided portion of the tour starting at the Basilica Sacre Coeur and the Square Place du Tertre where you will find many portrait painters.

After lunch in a typical Parisian Brasserie, you will have time at leisure (approximately 1 hour) for shopping in this very lively area where you will feel the artistic and "bohemian" atmosphere. Continue your guided visit as you recognize different places, as cafes or brasseries, narrow streets, windmills, etc ...which have been painted by Vangogh, Toulouse Lautrec, Renoir or event later on by Picasso.
This tour will also take you to the very peculiar last wine yard in Paris. At the tour conclusion, the "Little train" will take you back to the bottom of Montmartre, to board your coach. Your guide will leave you in Paris before your coach departs for the return journey to the ship.