Embrace the history and beauty of France with her stained glass of Chartres Cathedral and the woven threads of medieval tapestries. Visit the manicured gardens at Chateau de Villandry and along floral-lined lanes in a Brittany village, historic castles that honor timeless traditions. See the quaint timber houses in a walled city famed for its pirate history, a mountain-top abbey and a Bellepoque beachfront resort. Visit Versailles Palace. Travel to Normandy for poignant memories of D-Day battles and heroic sacrifices. See the storied landscapes and cultural riches woven in Bayeux tapestries centuries old. View the Benedictine Abbey perched on an island mount. Travel along the Normandy coast and witness history etched into towns that survived war to thrive today.

Just two hours south of Paris, the Loire Valley will enchant you with rolling hills and emerald forests that dot the landscapes. You'll find castles and chateaux tucked into garden settings, vineyards bucolic to behold with wines equally intoxicating at Chateauneuf-du-Pape and a monumental stained glass cathedral built in the twelfth century. Stroll through sites in Aix-en-Provence that inspired Cezanne and hike to Roussillon. Walk atop the Pont du Gard, take a hands on cooking class in Avignon and visit Van Gogh's legacy at Saint Remy-de-Provence.

Enjoy the French Waterways on the River Rhone with a river cruise. Start in Paris with the high-speed TGV whisking you off to Lyon to embark your ship. First stop, Lyon where an indoor food market will thrill your taste buds, then on to the walled city of Viviers and a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral de Rhone. Visit Arles, immortalized in paintings by Vincet Van Gogh. Explore Avignon and the Pont du Gard Museum and travel to the Luberon region with their orange-pigmented streets. Drive to Tain and explore Tain-l'Hermitage known for its Cotes du Rhone vineyards, fruits and chocolates.

Travel North on the French Waterways River Seine and dock in Le Harve for an excursion to the English Channel coast to explore a quintessential village steeped in history, cultural treasures and seaside pleasures. Visit a goat farm and savor the taste of locally produced chevre fermier (farmhouse goat cheese).Visit the shores of Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery while sharing stories about the events of D-Day. Visit Jumieges Abbey, once a great Benedictine abbey. The Chateau Gaillard, built in 1197 by King Richard the Lionheart is the crowning centerpiece of Les Andelys. Stop at Giverny, Monet's Home and Gardens before returning to Paris. A visit to France is a delight whether it be by land or sea.