London, Paris & D-Day

See the major sights of the romantic “City of Light” with a knowledgeable local guide. Meet your motor coach and drive along the famed Champs-Élysées, viewing the Arc de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to commemorate his victories. Pass many of Paris’s classic highlights, including the beautiful Grand Palais and Petit Palais, Place de la Concorde, Bridge of Alexandre III, the celebrated Louvre Museum, and La Conciergerie. Ride along the banks of the Seine to l'île de la Cité, where you will stroll through the island and marvel at the stately facade of Notre Dame de Paris before reboarding your coach. Continue into the Latin Quarter and view the picturesque St. Sulpice Church, Luxembourg Gardens and the Musée d’Orsay. Conclude your drive around Paris with Les Invalides complex, which houses Napoleon’s Tomb and the military school.

Enjoy a guided walk through a richly historic quarter steeped in culinary traditions. As you walk, you will stop at welcoming shops for tastings of some of France’s most beloved specialties. Meet your guide and set off on foot through one of Paris’s charming districts. Listen to stories that tell the tale of the area’s historic past while navigating medieval passages brimming with some of the city’s finest eateries and hidden gems tucked away on every corner. Your culinary journey will take you to a selection of vendors that showcase a range of sweet and savory treats. You will stop at one of Paris’s renowned chocolatiers or bakeries to sample a sweet delight and also pause for tastings of savory delicacies, accompanied by a glass of wine or soda. At the conclusion of your tour, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Enjoy a day at the former home of French kings: the awe-inspiring Château de Versailles. The palace and its sprawling gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, began as a small hunting lodge. Over the years, it was enlarged by each of its three resident kings—most famously Louis XIV, the “Sun King.” A local guide will accompany you to the château, where you will marvel at the extravagance and excess of French royalty. See the state apartments of the king, the Hercules Drawing Room with its magnificent painted ceiling and the famed Hall of Mirrors—the glittering corridor of chandeliers and glass in which the Treaty of Versailles was signed, thus ending World War I. Learn about court life in the 18th century, and see the queen’s apartments and the chamber of Marie Antoinette. Later, there will be time to explore the vast, elaborate gardens.

Visit one of the most celebrated districts in Paris—Montmartre. This bohemian enclave, in which Belle Époque (“Beautiful Era”) artists, writers and poets such as Dalí, Modigliani, Monet, Picasso and van Gogh whiled away hours and gained inspiration in cafés and at cabaret revues, still retains its charms from that bygone era. Meet your local guide and head to the foot of Montmartre Hill along the Rue Caulaincourt. Then, walk up the hill along winding, cobblestone streets to Sacré-Coeur, the splendid Church of the Sacred Heart. Its ovoid dome is the second-highest point in Paris after the Eiffel Tower. You can explore the glorious interior on your own, then enjoy a coffee and pastries in a stunning setting. Finally, you may choose to descend the hill on foot or in the historic funicular, which first opened in 1900.

Create your own itinerary and experience the sights of Paris with the assistance of your own private guide. Once you have arrived, a member of Viking’s Guest Services team will be available to help you plan your time in Paris so you can make the most of your visit. With a group of up to six guests, enjoy a scenic introduction to the City of Light, glimpsing iconic landmarks alongside hidden gems. Perhaps journey to the Place du Trocadéro for a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower, or embark on a scenic drive through the city, to see the Panthéon, the Arc de Triomphe and the St. Sulpice Church. At a specified time, you will meet your private guide, board your chauffeur-driven vehicle and set out to visit your chosen sights. Follow your own agenda, exploring more of the sights that you wish to see. After your half day of exploring, your driver will return you to your starting point.

Create your own itinerary and experience the sights of Paris with the assistance of your own private guide. Upon your arrival, a member of Viking’s Guest Services team will be available to help you plan your time in Paris so you can make the most of your visit. With a group of up to six guests, set out to explore France’s capital, seeing renowned landmarks and discovering local spots. Perhaps stroll along Champs-Élysées, pass the iconic Arc de Triomphe and visit a local shop to sample macarons. Pause at Île de la Cité to glimpse the Notre Dame or explore Paris through the eyes of a local, seeking out the city’s hidden gems. At a specified time, meet your guide, board your chauffeur-driven vehicle and set out to visit your chosen sights. Follow your own agenda, discovering more of the sights that you wish to see. After your full day of exploring, your driver will return you to your ship.