The Paris to Normandy cruise highlighted many of the places we wanted to see in France. We enjoyed Monet's gardens at Giverny, seeing the Bayeux Tapestry, visiting the Normandy Beaches and cemeteries, seeing a castle of Richard the Lionhearted (after the climb up we were also lionhearted),seeing Versailles, Malmaison and Josephine's gardens, touring the Louvre, enjoying the Eiffel Tower at night, visiting a working farm in Normandy and touring charming cities. We had different guides for each excursion and their individual personalities were very interesting and refreshing.

The food aboard ship was outstanding and the variety excellent. The French wines offered were also every bit as wonderful as we had heard. On ship we enjoyed a watercolor class and were offered tours of the ship with the chef and captain. The staff was kind and helpful. We highly recommend this tour and the Viking Company. We also booked the 3 day Paris extension at the end of the cruise. We felt the guides made us ready to take on the city itself . Our hotel The Rochester was excellent with a very helpful staff. We were able to see the Louvre again, Museum D'Orsay, Le Orangerie and Monet's water lilies, The Shakespeare and Company Bookstore, Monmartre and Sacre Coeur, Saint Chappelle and a little shopping and dining out at a variety of eateries. My limited high school French helped us have two visits with French natives who spoke a little English.

Viking was helpful every step of the way from reservations to return, even helping us check in at the large Charles de Gaulle Airport at the end of our stay in Paris. A great experience. We would travel with Viking again "in a heartbeat". Thank you!!