Category SSF - Seven Seas Suite Forward
Seven Seas Suite (Forward)
Photos are examples only. Actual cabin colors and features may vary.
This cruise has already sailed
14 Night Frances Finest Cruise and Land Tour from Paris
Ship: Viking Kari
Cruise Line: Viking River Cruises
Sailed: Wednesday, Aug 7, 2024 from Paris, France
Ended: Wednesday, Aug 21, 2024
The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Wednesday, Aug 7, 2024
departure of the Viking Kari. If Viking River Cruises modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing
, the modified schedule would not be reflected here.
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Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Long a hub of French culture and cuisine, Paris is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Over the centuries, Parisian culture has been built on the wings of inspiration. Music, film, architecture, literature, dance, and the visual arts all have their brilliant place in the museums, theaters, bookstores, and remarkably preserved buildings of this magnificent city. At the center of it all is the Champs-Elysees. With its inviting riverside promenade, graceful bridges, and splendid views of all things Parisian, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum. Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.
Day 2 - Thursday - Aug 8, 2024
Paris, France
One of the most pleasurable activities in Paris is whiling away the time in one of the city's outdoor cafes. Whether you are sipping a cafe au lait or a kir royal, there is no better way to feel like a Parisian. The hub of social and culinary life, cafes have been part of the city's fabric since the 1600s. During the 20th century, literary and artistic figures-such as Ernest Hemingway, Colette, and Pablo Picasso-famously met over drinks to share their works and ideas. Today, thousands of cafes line the pavements and squares to connect with France's culture and history.
Day 3 - Friday - Aug 9, 2024
La Roche-Guyon, France, France
The picturesque village of La Roche-Guyon lies within the verdant Vexin Francais Regional Nature Park, bound between the meandering Seine River and a striking wall of white chalk. This idyllic setting is home to a number of historic monuments, including a 15th-century church dedicated to St. Samson; a 16th-century salt store; a public fountain presented to the village in 1742; and the town hall, inaugurated in 1847. The beguiling 12th-century Chateau de La Roche-Guyon, however, is undoubtedly the village's most emblematic landmark, once capturing the attention of poet Victor Hugo, impressionist Claude Monet, and composer Joseph Kosma, among many others. The castle and its breathtaking surroundings still mesmerize all who visit it.
Vernon, France
Vernon is a charming provincial town. Its cobblestone streets are reminiscent of the Middle Ages, and some of its half-timbered houses feature magnificent wooden carvings. The town was founded by the Viking Rollo in the 9th century, where an island in the Seine made for easy crossings. Because of its importance as a transit point between Paris and Rouen, the town was well fortified and frequently besieged. Ruins of its old medieval bridge still linger on the Seine's right bank. The remains of La Chateau des Tourelles are the last surviving witness to that era. Please note: Monet gardens are not available before April 1 or after November 1; a visit to the village of Auvers-sur-Oise, favored by van Gogh and other artists, will be substituted.
Day 4 - Saturday - Aug 10, 2024
Cruising the Seine River, France
The Seine meanders through the mellow vistas of Normandy. As it makes its sleepy and serpentine way to the English Channel, it winds along for 240 miles from Paris, more than doubling the distance of a crow's flight. As you sail, fertile fields unfurl toward groves of apple orchards, sources of the region's famed calvados apple brandy. Norman cows graze the grassy meadows that help produce creamy Brie and Camembert. You will also gaze upon picturesque villages and historic abbeys on these bucolic banks.
Rouen, France
Founded by Romans, Rouen is situated amid chalk cliffs along the Seine. The Norman capital boasts many pleasures, from the 700 charming half-timbered houses of the Old Town to the glorious Rouen Cathedral, which so captivated Claude Monet that he painted it many times in varying light. Until the 17th century, Rouen was the second-largest city in France. Today, it is the country's fourth-largest port. The city is perhaps best known as the site of Joan of Arc's last stand; the patron saint of France was tried and condemned here for heresy and burned at the stake in 1431.
Day 5 - Sunday - Aug 11, 2024
Rouen, France
Bus Travel
D-Day Beaches, France
Bus Travel
Rouen, France
History focused its sights along the coast of Normandy, France-notably Omaha, Juno, and Gold Beaches-on the early morning of June 6, 1944, as American, Canadian, and British troops made landfall in their first European incursion during World War II. The entire operation was termed Operation Overlord, the code name for the invasion of Normandy. The remains of the concrete structures and steel causeway of Mulberry Harbor, built by the British, can still be seen on the beach near the village of Arromanches. The Arromanches Debarkment D-Day Museum presents animated 3D scale models to help visitors grasp this exceptional harbor and its contribution to the battle-considered perhaps the single greatest innovation that ensured victory for the Allies.
Day 6 - Monday - Aug 12, 2024
Les Andelys, France
Les Andelys is best known for its imposing castle overlooking the city, the Chateau Gaillard. Built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart, the castle and the village's strategic location bolstered the importance of Les Andelys throughout the Middle Ages. The town also gained notice for its Saint Clotilde Miraculous Spring, where the wife of the first Frankish king, Clovis, turned well water into wine to serve the builders of her Benedictine monastery. Europe's devout, upon hearing of the act, flocked here on pilgrimages until the end of the 19th century.
Day 7 - Tuesday - Aug 13, 2024
Le Pecq, France
Long a hub of French culture, cuisine, and architectural splendor, Paris is one of the most romantic destinations in the world. Over the centuries, Parisian culture has been built on the wings of inspiration. Music, film, architecture, literature, dance, and the visual arts all have their brilliant place in the museums, theaters, bookstores, and remarkably preserved buildings of this magnificent city. At the center of it all is the Champs-Elysees. With its inviting riverside promenade, 37 graceful bridges and splendid views of all things Parisian, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre Museum, it is France's most beautiful boulevard.
Paris, France
Life in Paris revolves around the Seine River, with 37 bridges crossing the river, each telling a story. Perhaps none are so extravagant as the Pont Alexandre III, a graceful span named for the Russian tsar who signed the Franco-Russian Alliance in 1892. Downriver, the five-arched Pont d'Iena is beloved for its scenic location linking the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadero district. The Pont des Arts, set between the Louvre and the Institut de France, was famed for its thousands of padlocks, attached by couples to the railing grates as a sign of their devotion to each other.
Day 8 - Wednesday - Aug 14, 2024
Paris, France
Cruise Ends
Land Travel
Cruise Begins
After breakfast, disembark your ship and transfer to your embarkation city. During World War II, occupied Paris became the center for the Free French resistance movement. Unlike other French cities that were targets of Allied bombing raids, Paris escaped major damage and its many iconic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, survived the war intact and can still be enjoyed today. Liberation came just two months after the D-Day landings in Normandy, when divisions of the French tanks and US infantry entered the city on August 26, 1944, culminating with an exuberant march, led by Gen. Charles de Gaulle, down the Champs-Elysees.
Lyon, France
Lyon straddles the Rhone and Saone Rivers. After Paris, it is considered the country's most significant cultural center. Amid a cityscape of red-roofed buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and riverside promenades, the cobblestone streets of Old Lyon host a rich collection of Renaissance architecture and intimate traboules, unique passageways through buildings that connect adjacent streets, all of it overlooked by the grand basilica atop Fourviere Hill. The city also boasts a wealth of outstanding museums, cultural treasures and excellent Lyonnaise eateries. Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom.
Day 9 - Thursday - Aug 15, 2024
Lyon, France
Lyon is known as the food capital of France. It is not unheard of for well-heeled Parisians to travel to Lyon for dinner. The city is surrounded by towns and villages that produce excellent fresh produce, and gastronomic outlets are plentiful here. The great chefs of Lyon enjoy celebrity status, whether they prepare classic recipes the traditional way or elevate them with their own signature touches. Their delicious meals may be paired with a glass of light, fruity Beaujolais from the north or a bold Rhone red from the south.
Day 10 - Friday - Aug 16, 2024
Lyon, France
One of Europe's densest concentrations of urban Renaissance buildings, Old Lyon is pure pleasure to explore. The dwellings of this UNESCO site date back to the city's silk weaving success during the 15th century, when Italian merchants and bankers put their profits into building town houses; today some of their elegant residences house museums. St. Jean Cathedral lies in the heart of Old Lyon and is a stunning example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It has weathered periods of political turmoil and religious wars and is now one of the city's most prominent symbols.
Day 11 - Saturday - Aug 17, 2024
Vienne, France
Situated between France's Burgundy and Beaujolais regions, Vienne is the gateway to Lyon's countryside. It is one of the oldest towns in France, with a history that can be traced through its architecture. Among its Roman remains and artifacts, the Roman Temple of Augustus & Livia dates back to the 1st century AD. Its Roman amphitheater, nestled in the hills of Mont Pipet, is one of the best-preserved in the nation. Vienne also boasts remarkably preserved medieval buildings and market ruins. Other landmarks include the Abbey of Saint-Pierre and the Church of Saint-Andre-le-Bas.
Rhone, France
The lure of fine cuisine, charming villages and breathtaking vistas is never-ending along the Rhone River. Journey along this graceful waterway, meandering past vine-clad banks, and incredibly preserved echoes of medieval times and the days of the Roman Empire. The several locks through which the ship passes have helped to tame its waters, once unnavigable because of rapids, shallows, and whirlpools. Today, a voyage along this stretch is a pleasant, gentle experience, surrounded by the hills and soaring mountains of the Rhone Valley.
Day 12 - Sunday - Aug 18, 2024
Tournon-sur-Rhone, France
Tournon lies secluded between the river and the vineyard-blanketed granite slopes that nurture fine vintages. An ancient castle, built snugly into a rock, overlooks the riverside setting. A settlement has perched on this hill since Celtic times, but the stunning views from its overlook have never changed. The name of its neighboring wine-producing region, Tain-l'Hermitage, comes from the hermit who planted vines here after returning from the Crusades. Today, his vines are awash in sunshine and produce a Port-like wine and some stellar whites.
Viviers, France
The sleepy town of Viviers was founded during the 5th century. This former Roman settlement became a bishop's seat, and conflicts during ensuing centuries required the town to be fortified. With the Renaissance came a more stable period of wealth that allowed many new houses to be built, including a fine example of the era that still stands, the Maison des Chevaliers. Some buildings date back to the Middle Ages, and time seems to stand still along the cobblestone streets of its Old Town, dominated by the 12th-century St. Vincent Cathedral with its beautiful windows.
Day 13 - Monday - Aug 19, 2024
Arles, France
In the last days of the Roman Empire, Arles was the capital of Roman Gaul and boasts many Gallo-Roman ruins including Les Arenes; this ancient amphitheater seats 20,000 and is still used today for bullfights and plays. The town has an energetic feel, attracting farmers from the countryside to the frequent and famous Provencal market. It also enjoys a rich artistic heritage; the Mediterranean sunlight here inspired legendary Impressionist Vincent van Gogh to paint a number of works. Many of Arles's sights are immortalized in his paintings.
Day 14 - Tuesday - Aug 20, 2024
Avignon, France
Avignon's narrow streets are lined with churches and remarkable medieval buildings. This "City of Popes" was the papal seat for 70 years during the 14th century after the sitting pope abandoned Rome and fled here. The massive Palais des Papes, or Palace of the Popes, was the center of the Christian world during that controversial period. It remains a work of Gothic splendor. Another of Avignon's notable structures reaches into the Rhone, the ruins of the Pont d'Avignon. The 12th-century bridge, immortalized in folk song and dance, once spanned the river.
Day 15 - Wednesday - Aug 21, 2024
Avignon, France
When the Catholic Church acquired Avignon during the 1300s, it quickly transformed the quiet riverside village into a major religious and cultural center. Evidence of the makeover is everywhere. In addition to the enormous palace, the church constructed a wall around Avignon and provided mansion-like residences to its cardinals. Avignon Cathedral was dwarfed by its neighbor, the Palace of the Popes. Centuries after the papacy returned to Rome, the Vatican called for a gilded statue of Mary to be placed atop the cathedral; her golden gaze still welcomes visitors today. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home. Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.