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France’s Finest
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France’s Finest
Explore Paris, Normandy & Provence on a cruise that showcases France’s finest history, culture, and landscapes, not to mention, cuisine and celebrated vintages. Thirteen guided tours offer something for everyone.
This 15-day voyage combines two of our most popular French cruises. Explore one of the most famous capitals in the world with visits to other historic towns, iconic wine regions, and the Normandy beaches, a landmark location in 20th-century history.
Travel in style aboard a legendary Viking Longship with outside cabins, spacious suites, staterooms, and award-winning dining in our unique Aquavit Terrace. Longship design guarantees river views and the comfort of a boutique five-star hotel.
4.75
from
500 reviews
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Cruise Line: Viking River Cruises -
Ship: Viking Buri + 2 more
France’s Finest Cruise Prices
France’s Finest Gallery
France’s Finest Cruise Itinerary
Explore the very best architecture, scenery, and cuisine that France has to offer on this luxury 14-night cruise. Spend time in Paris and visit historic cities and towns plus the Normandy beaches. Enjoy delicious cuisine and fine wines both on and off the ship. Sailing time matches beautiful riverside scenery with unparalleled luxury on board an iconic Viking Longship.
Day 1
Paris, France
Embark your luxury river cruiser in one of the world’s most famous and exciting capital cities.
Day 2
Paris, France
See all the major sights of the ‘City of Light’ with an expert local guide, including the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre Museum. Round off the tour with an iconic view of the Eiffel Tower from Champ de Mars.
Day 3
La Roche-Guyon & Vernon, France
Picturesque La Roche-Guyon lies in the beautiful Vexin Français Regional Nature Park and is home to the striking 12th-century Château de La Roche-Guyon. Later, visit Vernon, a charming and historic town with pretty streets and timbered buildings.
Day 4
Rouen, France
Savour some scenic sailing time on the Seine as it meanders its way through Normandy’s tranquil and pastoral landscape towards Rouen. Enjoy a walking tour of the historic capital of Normandy, also known as the ‘City of a Hundred Spires.’
Day 5
Normandy Beaches, France
Visit the Normandy Beaches and pay tribute to the courage of the Allied troops who landed here in 1944 as part of Operation Overlord. This tour includes the Caen Memorial Museum and the American Cemetery on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach.
Day 6
Les Andelys, France
Home to the famous Château Gaillard, enjoy a walking tour of this imposing 12th-century ruined fortress situated on a hilltop with fantastic views over the Seine River and medieval Les Andelys below.
Day 7
Paris (Le Pecq), France
As well as the cultural delights of Paris, guests have the option to visit the historic Château de Malmaison, Napoleon’s last home in France. There is also an excursion to the Palace of Versailles and an illuminated evening cruise on the Seine.
Day 8
Paris, France
After breakfast, disembark your cruise ship and enjoy some more time in Paris, a city that escaped major damage during the Allies’ bombing raids in World War II. Later, head to Lyon, France’s second city.
Day 9
Lyon, France
Straddling the Rhône and Saône Rivers, Old Lyon has a beautiful cityscape with stunning Renaissance architecture and the magnificent Basilica of Notre Dame. Enjoy a walking tour and sample some of Lyon’s famous gastronomic delights.
Day 10
Lyon, France
Today is another chance to spend time in Old Lyon, a UNESCO World-Heritage location, or why not opt for a scenic excursion through Beaujolais wine country and explore the tradition of viticulture with a stop at one of Beaujolais’s famous wine cellars?
Day 11
Vienne, France
Sandwiched between the Burgundy and Beaujolais regions, Vienne has a rich historic past and is one of the oldest towns in France. An expert guide takes guests on a walking tour of the spectacular Roman amphitheatre and Temple of Augustus.
Day 12
Tournon & Viviers, France
Explore a picturesque corner of France on a train ride through the Doux Valley, a conservation area with panoramic views and inaccessible by road. Afterwards, leave Tournon and head to Viviers, a typical sleepy Southern French town.
Day 13
Arles, France
The capital of Roman Gaul, Arles, features Gallo-Roman ruins plus a vibrant Provençal market attracting farmers and artisan producers from the surrounding countryside. Don’t miss the Espace Van Gogh, once a local hospital that treated the artist and now a cultural centre.
Day 14
Avignon, France
Beautiful Avignon, once the seat of seven popes, is a UNESCO World-heritage site. Follow a local guide through the medieval streets to the Place de I’Horloge, the city’s stunning central square, and then onto the Palais des Papes and the Market Hall.
Day 15
Avignon, France
After breakfast, disembark your ship in Avignon, France, and take a last look at the iconic bridge known to thousands of people from the words of the famous song before starting your journey back to the UK.
Day 1
Avignon, France
Embark your luxury river cruiser in one of the world’s most famous and exciting capital cities.
Day 2
Avignon, France
Beautiful Avignon, once the seat of seven popes, is a UNESCO World-heritage site. Follow a local guide through the medieval streets to the Place de I’Horloge, the city’s stunning central square, and then onto the Palais des Papes and the Market Hall.
Day 3
Arles, France
The capital of Roman Gaul, Arles, features Gallo-Roman ruins plus a vibrant Provençal market attracting farmers and artisan producers from the surrounding countryside. Don’t miss the Espace Van Gogh, once a local hospital that treated the artist and now a cultural centre.
Day 4
Tournon & Viviers, France
Explore a picturesque corner of France on a train ride through the Doux Valley, a conservation area with panoramic views and inaccessible by road. Afterwards, leave Tournon and head to Viviers, a typical sleepy Southern French town.
Day 5
Vienne, France
Sandwiched between the Burgundy and Beaujolais regions, Vienne has a rich historic past and is one of the oldest towns in France. An expert guide takes guests on a walking tour of the spectacular Roman amphitheatre and Temple of Augustus.
Day 6
Lyon, France
Today is another chance to spend time in Old Lyon, a UNESCO World-Heritage location, or why not opt for a scenic excursion through Beaujolais wine country and explore the tradition of viticulture with a stop at one of Beaujolais’s famous wine cellars?
Day 7
Lyon, France
Straddling the Rhône and Saône Rivers, Old Lyon has a beautiful cityscape with stunning Renaissance architecture and the magnificent Basilica of Notre Dame. Enjoy a walking tour and sample some of Lyon’s famous gastronomic delights.
Day 8
Paris, France
After breakfast, disembark your cruise ship and enjoy some more time in Paris, a city that escaped major damage during the Allies’ bombing raids in World War II. Later, head to Lyon, France’s second city.
Day 9
Paris (Le Pecq), France
As well as the cultural delights of Paris, guests have the option to visit the historic Château de Malmaison, Napoleon’s last home in France. There is also an excursion to the Palace of Versailles and an illuminated evening cruise on the Seine.
Day 10
Lyon
Enjoy the Panoramic Lyon excursion, a walking tour of Pérouges, or the Trek Vieux Lyon excursion.
Day 11
Normandy Beaches, France
Visit the Normandy Beaches and pay tribute to the courage of the Allied troops who landed here in 1944 as part of Operation Overlord. This tour includes the Caen Memorial Museum and the American Cemetery on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach.
Day 12
Viviers
Go on a walking tour of Viviers or join the Charming Ardèche excursion.
Day 13
La Roche-Guyon & Vernon, France
Picturesque La Roche-Guyon lies in the beautiful Vexin Français Regional Nature Park and is home to the striking 12th-century Château de La Roche-Guyon. Later, visit Vernon, a charming and historic town with pretty streets and timbered buildings.
Day 14
Paris, France
See all the major sights of the ‘City of Light’ with an expert local guide, including the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre Museum. Round off the tour with an iconic view of the Eiffel Tower from Champ de Mars.
Day 15
Paris, France
After breakfast, disembark your ship in Paris, France, and start your journey back to the UK.
FRANCE’S FINEST CRUISE SHIPS
Viking Buri
European Rivers Cruise Deals
Explore France’s Finest Cities and the Normandy Beaches with Crui.se
Viking 
Departure:
Apr – Nov 2024
VISITING: Paris La Roche-Guyon / Vernon Rouen Normandy Beaches Les Andelys Paris (Le Pecq) Lyon Vienne Tournon / Viviers Arles Avignon
AVG PER PERSON*
£
4,590
Viking Departure:
VISITING: Paris Reims / Trier Bernkastel / Trier Cochem Koblenz Mainz Speyer Strasbourg Basel / Zürich Zurich
AVG PER PERSON*
£
3,095
Viking Departure:
Mar to
Apr
VISITING: Paris La Roche-Guyon / Vernon Rouen Normandy Beaches Les Andelys Le Pecq / Paris
AVG PER PERSON*
£
2,195
France’s Finest Cruise Review
France’s Finest FAQ
Can I bring alcohol purchased on shore on board the ship?
Guests may bring alcohol purchased on shore onto the ship. Alcohol can be consumed in private cabins or public areas, including the restaurant and Aquavit Terrace. There is no charge for corkage.
Are Viking Longships non-smoking?
Viking vessels are non-smoking. However, to accommodate guests who do smoke, there is a designated outdoor smoking area, which is the only location on the ship where people can smoke. Smoking is prohibited in staterooms, verandas, and all other public areas. This also applies to e-cigarettes.
How is the air treated on board Viking ships?
Viking Longships feature independent air handling units, so each stateroom has ‘fresh’ external air that is not shared with other cabins or public spaces. We also deploy high-density filters similar to those in hospitals that sanitise the air on our ships, killing 99% of airborne bacteria and viruses.
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