Paris to Normandy River Cruise
October 13–20, 2026
8 Day River Cruise Paris to Paris
October 13-20, 2026
An Avalon Waterways River Cruise
Escorted by Blue Skies Travel (Margo McDonough) with Special Guest Artisan Kathie Giaquinta
Experience the romance of France on this unforgettable 8-day river cruise along the Seine. Begin in the City of Light—Paris, where you can explore
iconic landmarks like the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Versailles. Cruise through stunning autumn scenery to the medieval town of Rouen, the gardens of Monet’s Giverny, and the historic beaches of Normandy, where the D-Day invasion turned the tide of World War II.
Enhance your journey with paper art workshops led by artisan Kathie Giaquinta. Her optional hands-on sessions in the Club Lounge will guide you in creating a charming "junk journal" —a meaningful keepsake of your adventure.
"A junk journal is a handmade book created from recycled or found materials. Despite the name,
it’s anything but junk—people use them for journaling, memory keeping and more."
Call 302-893-4571
or email: margo@blueskiestravelcenter.com
DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
Day 1: Paris, France (Embarkation)
Your day is free to explore the world’s most romantic city. Get acquainted with the City of Light before boarding by 5 p.m. Don’t worry; we’ll be back for more adventures in Paris later in the week.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON
Day 2: Vernon
ACTIVE: Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC: Take a guided tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces*,OR:
CLASSIC: Join a guided visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy’s Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
DISCOVERY: While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a pastry demonstration.
This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.
In Les Andelys ACTIVE: Join a guided hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart**, OR:
CLASSIC: Take a guided walking tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine.
Welcome Happy Hour for Blue Skies’ travelers.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included this day.
Monet's Gardens, October 2018
Day 3: Caudebec
ACTIVE: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC: Take a guided trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.
This afternoon, you may choose a guided optional xxcursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.
DISCOVERY: Enjoy an onboard lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D-Day.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included this day.
Day 4: Excursion to Normandy
CLASSIC: Join a guided tour of Normandy’s WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
CLASSIC: Take a full-day guided tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
CLASSIC: Join a guided tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included this day.
Day 5: Rouen
ACTIVE:Take a guided bike tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:
CLASSIC: Take a guided walking tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc’s martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
This afternoon Kathie will hold another paper art workshop.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included this day.
Day 6: Conflans
ACTIVE: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC: Join a guided visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:
CLASSIC: Take a guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison.
Perhaps, join a guided optional excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.
Kathie will hold her final paper art session – come raise a glass and celebrate all the
fantastic creations that were made.
This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included this day.
Day 7: Paris
ACTIVE: Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC: Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
CLASSIC: Join a guided city tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs-Élysées.
Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included this day.
Day 8: Paris (Disembarkation)
Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast included this day.
Pricing
Deluxe Stateroom
172 sq. ft.
Category D $4080
Category E $4080
Panorama Suite
200 sq. ft.
Category P $6029
Category A $5979
Category B $5879
Prices starting at $4,080 per person, cruise only based on double occupancy.
Travel Protection is required with deposit: $359 for E’s and D’s, $479 for B’s, A's, P's.
A deposit of $250 per person is due upon reservation. Space is limited and reservations are made
on a first-come, first-serve basis. Final payment is July 15, 2026.
Ask me about airfare as well as extra nights in Paris.
Rates, availability and all terms and conditions subject to change until booking is confirmed.
Don't miss out; contact Margo McDonough at Blue Skies Travel Center today.
302-893-4571 or margo@blueskiestravelcenter.com.
Your Host
About Your Group Trip Coordinator
Margo McDonough started Blue Skies Travel Center in 2016, after earlier work in the travel industry for such companies as J.P. Morgan Chase. She has planned and escorted numerous trips, both domestically and internationally, for local organizations, including University of Delaware’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Food Bank of Delaware, Kennett Area Community Service, and Traditions at Longwood community.
McDonough is a member of the American Society of Travel Advisors, is fully insured, and is supported by host agency Uniglobe Travel Center and Virtuoso, a luxury travel consortium.
