Bon Voyage & Joie de Vivre, A Portrait of Majestic France ex Bordeaux to Paris
Cruise Line Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Ship Bon Voyage
Destination EU Rivers
Nights 14
Departure Date 17 Oct 2021
Description 14 Night Cruise sailing from Bordeaux to Paris aboard Bon Voyage and Joie de Vivre.

Day 1: Bordeaux (Embark)

Day 2: Blaye, Bourg sur Gironde
The Route de la Corniche Fleurie…could this be the most beautiful road you’ve ever traveled? Find out today on the drive to Blaye Fortress, passing through one impossibly picturesque hamlet after another. Once you arrive, you’ll find your center with a unique and expertly led yoga session in the heart of this historic fortress, a UNESCO-designated citadel that once protected Bordeaux from attacks by sea.

Featured Excursion:
Bourg sur Gironde walking tour

Choice of Panoramas of Route de la Corniche Fleurie with Blaye Fortress or “Let’s Go” yoga in the historic heart of Blaye Fortress

Day 3: Cussac Fort Médoc, Pauillac la Fayette
The legendary Médoc region abounds with prestigious wine châteaux in a dizzying array of architectural styles, as well as miles of grapevines stretching to infinity. Take a scenic drive through the storied Médoc wine route, followed by a wine tasting at a beautiful wine estate. Enjoy the waters of the Garonne River and the Gironde Estuary before heading to the pretty town of Pauillac, gateway to the storied Médoc wine route, the Atlantic coast and remnants of the Atlantic Wall erected during WWII.

Featured Excursion:
Fresh Médoc oysters tasting

Choice of Médoc Châteaux route with private wine tasting or Bunker archaeology tour or “Let’s Go” bike in the Médoc vineyards

Day 4: Cadillac
The French phrase “la douceur de vivre” is an accurate description for your time in Cadillac, known for its deliciously flavored dessert wines. Visit Château Royal de Cazeneuve, site of Henry IV’s and Queen Margot’s tempestuous love. Meet the owner around a glass of Sauternes in the reception hall.

Choice of The colorful life of Toulouse Lautrec at Château de Malromé or Sauternes vineyard visit with private wine tasting at Château de Cazeneuve

Note: Sailing this stretch of the Garonne depends on the tides. If it is not possible to sail to Cadillac, you will be transferred to your destination via motorcoach.

Day 5: Libourne (Saint-Émilion)
The medieval town of Saint-Émilion is an ideal place to linger. Wander its cobblestone lanes lined with wine shops and bakeries, and stop to admire the amazing rock-hewn church that extends beneath the city’s streets. Another treasure awaiting you underground? A wine tasting in the cellars of a Grand Cru estate. With Libourne as your base, travel to nearby breathtaking Saint-Émilion and immerse yourself more deeply in the region’s history and wine culture.

Featured Excursion:
Saint-Émilion walking tour with wine tasting

Day 6: Libourne, Bordeaux
France’s rich agricultural tradition is the heart and soul of the region’s exquisite cuisine—and what better way to get a taste for the freshest vegetables, cheeses, breads and fruits than with a visit to Libourne’s lively farmers’ market?

Featured Excursion:
Libourne “Village Day” with farmer's market

Day 7: Bordeaux
Discover Bordeaux’s many charms today, either on foot with a local expert or on two wheels—the locals’ preferred way to navigate the city’s charming backstreets. You have a wonderful selection of active opportunities to see this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Featured Excursion:
Cité du Vin museum visit

Choice of “Do as the Locals Do” Bordeaux walking tour or ”Let’s Go” bike Bordeaux backstreets

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 8: Bordeaux (Disembark), Transfer to Paris via High-Speed TGV Train (Embark)
Disembark the breathtaking S.S. Bon Voyage and transfer to Paris via high-speed, first-class TGV train. Your next ship, the magical S.S. Joie de Vivre, waits to carry you along the Seine on the next leg of your adventure. Note: Ship schedule and order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Tour to port of destination by motorcoach and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to the impact of water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors.

Day 9: La Roche-Guyon, Vernon (Giverny)
Today is a celebration of northern France’s natural beauty, with an excursion to a splendid château and gardens situated in an equally grand setting, plus a chance to immerse yourself in the very landscapes that inspired Impressionist master Claude Monet. Visit the hilltop Château de La Roche-Guyon, surrounded by beautiful gardens and offering sweeping views over the Seine. Later, you can visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet. Or take in the beautiful French countryside in a more invigorating way, with a guided bike ride from Vernon to Giverny.

Choice of Château La Roche-Guyon or "Let's Go" hike on the Crests trail or Monet’s gardens at Giverny or “Let's Go” bike ride from Vernon to Giverny

This evening, a special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you.

Day 10: Rouen
Walk in the footsteps of greatness in Normandy’s medieval capital, a city with a historic quarter that remains amazingly intact. From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious. The roll call of famous people who lived or died in Rouen is long and varied—Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, Gustave Flaubert and Claude Monet are among them.

Featured Excursion:
Rouen walking tour, the Dukes of Normandy’s capital

Day 11: Caudebec-en-Caux (Honfleur or Étretat)
Caudebec-en-Caux, a lovely little town on the right bank of the Seine Estuary, is your base for one of two very different excursions. You could drive through the beautiful Calvados countryside to Honfleur, a delightful seaside harbor and city of painters, or head to the windy cliffs of Étretat for a game of golf.

Choice of Honfleur walking tour or “Let's Go” golfing in Étretat

Day 12: Rouen (Normandy Beaches)
There are moments when we travel that move us on an otherworldly level—experiences that stir a profound emotional connection. The Normandy beaches certainly have that effect. On your full-day outing, you’ll visit Normandy’s beaches, including Utah Beach and Ste-Mère-Église, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Australian or Canadian beaches. After, you’ll go to the American cemetery and partake in a private ceremony at the Omaha Beach Memorial—a sentimental remembrance of Operation Overlord.

Choice of Normandy Beaches: highlights of American sites or Normandy Beaches: highlights of British & Australian sites or Normandy Beaches: highlights of Canadian sites

Day 13: Mantes-la-Jolie (Versailles)
How did France’s rulers live over the centuries? Step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles, the lavish palace built by the Sun King, to find out.

Choice of Versailles Palace secret apartments or “Versailles Gardens and Queens Hamlet”

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Day 14: Paris
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the “City of Light” or you’ve been here many times before, there’s something for everyone today in Paris. Enjoy a panoramic overview of the city, join a local expert for a walk through two much-loved neighborhoods, or pedal your way along the Left Bank, a fresh and fun way to take in the sights.

Featured Excursion:
“Heart of Paris” Seine River cruise

Choice of Paris city tour or “Do as the Locals Do” Île de la Cité and Latin Quarter or “Let's Go” Seine riverbanks bike ride

Day 15: Paris (Disembark)
Sailing Dates
  • 21 Mar 2021
  • 28 Mar 2021
  • 04 Apr 2021
  • 11 Apr 2021
  • 18 Apr 2021
  • 25 Apr 2021
  • 02 May 2021
  • 09 May 2021
  • 23 May 2021
  • 30 May 2021
  • 06 Jun 2021
  • 13 Jun 2021
  • 20 Jun 2021
  • 27 Jun 2021
  • 04 Jul 2021
  • 11 Jul 2021
  • 18 Jul 2021
  • 25 Jul 2021
  • 01 Aug 2021
  • 08 Aug 2021
  • 15 Aug 2021
  • 22 Aug 2021
  • 29 Aug 2021
  • 05 Sep 2021
  • 12 Sep 2021
  • 19 Sep 2021
  • 26 Sep 2021
  • 03 Oct 2021
  • 10 Oct 2021
  • 17 Oct 2021
  • 24 Oct 2021
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 17/10 Bordeaux, France Embark Bon Voyage
2 18/10 Blaye, France
3 19/10 Pauillac, France
4 20/10 Cadillac, France
5 21/10 Libourne, France
6 22/10 Libourne, France
7 23/10 Bordeaux, France
8 24/10 Bordeaux, France Disembark Bon Voyage & Transfer to Paris
8 24/10 Paris, France Embark Joie de Vivre
9 25/10 Vernon, France
10 26/10 Rouen, France
11 27/10 Caudebec, France
12 28/10 Rouen, France
13 29/10 Versailles, France
14 30/10 Paris, France
15 31/10 Paris, France Disembark Joie de Vivre
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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