Tour Overview
Join world-renowned historians and expert battlefield guides on this captivating tour of Normandy and the Seine River. Featuring an exclusive lecture series by internationally recognized historians and insight from expert local guides, this river cruise and land tour brings together the very best of The National WWII Museum’s flagship D-Day program with a whole new level of luxury—including a five-star river cruise aboard the exclusively chartered Uniworld S.S. Joie de Vivre and world-class château accommodations in the heart of Normandy. Your journey features an itinerary filled with WWII locations—from lesser-known sites available exclusively to The National WWII Museum’s travel programs to iconic landmarks steeped in heroism and history. Visit the famous church in Sainte-Mère-Église, stand on Omaha Beach to view the intricate German defense system, and ponder the overwhelming odds the American soldiers faced on June 6, 1944. Cross Pegasus Bridge where the men of the British 6th Airborne Division won the first battle of D-Day just minutes after midnight. Along the way, hear from top-rated battlefield guides, and appreciate the beauty, culture, and history of a region that has played a critical role throughout world history.
Program Pricing
Price per person based on Double Occupancy
Grand Suite - Victor Hugo Deck$14,999 $13,999
Suite - Victor Hugo Deck$12,999 $11,999
Deluxe French Balcony - Victor Hugo Deck$11,999 $10,999
French Balcony - Balzac Deck$10,599 $9,599
Classic - Jules Verne Deck$8,599 $7,599
$399 per person taxes and fees are additional.
Single accommodations are available
French Balcony $11,998 $10,998
Classic $11,298 $10,298
Call 1-877-813-3329 x 257 to reserve single occupancy cabins. Limited availability.
Optional Two-Night Pre-Tour Extension Program - Liberation of Paris - Double Occupancy
$2,249
Price per person based on Single occupancy
Optional Two-Night Pre-Tour Extension Program - Liberation of Paris - Single Occupancy
$2,698
$129 per person taxes and fees are additional are included in the pre-tour pricing listed above.
Download the Brochure
Download the official Paris to Pointe du Hoc: A voyage along the Seine to the Beaches of Normandy brochure for a full listing of inclusions, accommodations, and other useful information.
Deck Plan
Full Tour Itinerary
October 26, 2025
Day 1
Depart the US, Paris Arrival, & Transfer to the S.S. Joie De Vivre
Depart the US and arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on the morning of October 26, 2025. Guests are warmly welcomed and transferred to S.S. Joie de Vivre. Early morning arrivals may choose to enjoy a morning exploring Paris independently after dropping luggage at the ship or may board the vessel and enjoy the ship’s public areas* before settling into a luxurious stateroom or suite this afternoon. This evening, bid farewell to the “City of Light” during a welcome reception and dinner on the Seine River.
Accommodations: S.S. Joie de Vivre (R, D)*
*Light lunch available on S.S. Joie de Vivre from 12:00pm–2:00pm for those arriving in the morning.
October 27, 2025
Day 2
La Roche-Guyon & Les Andelys
This morning, arrive at La Roche-Guyon, the famous 12th century château on the Seine, where Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had his headquarters. At La Roche-Guyon, “The Desert Fox” planned and prepared the tough defenses that the Allies encountered on D-Day, as well as the German movements during the campaign that followed. After lunch onboard the ship, dock at Les Andelys and visit Château Gaillard—Richard the Lionheart’s 12th century stronghold—offering inspiring views of the Seine River.
Accommodations: S.S. Joie de Vivre (B, L, R, D)
October 28, 2025
Day 3
Versailles
This morning, dock in Mantes-la-Jolie, gateway to the city of Versailles. At the end of World War I, the world’s statesmen gathered at The Palace of Versailles to sign the ill-fated peace treaty ending “The Great War.” The defeated Germans ultimately rejected the harsh provisions of the Treaty of Versailles, setting the stage for another world war just two decades later. Visit the famous Galerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors), the actual site of the treaty signing. Also included is an exclusive tour of the royal apartments, which still look much as they did when Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette fled before an outraged mob in 1789.
Accommodations: S.S. Joie de Vivre (B, R, D)
October 29, 2025
Day 4
Rouen & Dieppe
On the northern coast of France lies the fishing community of Dieppe.It was here in August 1942, that the ill-fated raid by mostly Canadian forces would offer invaluable lessons for D-Day nearly two years later. Marvel at the smooth pebbles that make up the beach and imagine the difficulty of landing and running while under fire. The boardwalk behind the beach contains tributes to the men who came ashore in hopes of liberating the town, and a keen eye will be able to spot the German emplacements on the cliff s above Dieppe. After free time for lunch, explore this charming seaside town then return to Rouen. Described by Victor Hugo as “the city with a hundred bell towers,” and the scene of the Eighth Air Force’s first bombing mission over Europe in 1942, take part in a walking tour of the town center or return to the ship to relax before dinner this evening.
Accommodations: S.S. Joie de Vivre (B, R, D)
October 30, 2025
Day 5
Disembarkation / Bayeux
Disembark from the S.S. Joie de Vivre and depart for the picturesque town of Bayeux. Upon arrival, enjoy free time for lunch in one Bayeux’s quaint cafés. This afternoon includes a viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry–a 230-foot-long embroidered chronicle of William the Conqueror’s cross-channel invasion of England in 1066. Continue to the medieval center of the town, the Bayeux Cathedral, to tour the area on your own. This evening, settle into the Norman countryside at your luxury château.
Accommodations: Château (B, R, D)
October 31, 2025
Day 6
British Sector
The first full day in Normandy begins where British airborne troops fired the first shots of the invasion at the crucial Pegasus Bridge. Landing their wooden gliders just yards from the bridge, the men of the British 6th Airborne Division surprised the defenders and scored D-Day’s first victory.
The tour then follows the coastal road past Sword, Juno, and Gold Beaches before arriving in Arromanches, known for the remains of an artificial “Mulberry Harbor”, constructed by the Allies after D-Day. Next is a trip to Longues-sur-Mer, the only German battery in Normandy with the original guns still in place.
Accommodations: Château (B, D)
November 1, 2025
Day 7
US Airborne: Sainte-Mère-Église & Utah Beach
This morning starts with a visit to La Fière Bridge, the scene of heavy fighting from June 6–8, 1944. Seizing this strategic causeway resulted in over 250 American casualties. Next, visit the town of Sainte-Mère-Église, where paratroopers landed during the predawn hours of D-Day. Dropping into the town square, the men of the 82nd Airborne Division fought tenaciously against the German defenders for control of this vital crossroads. Tour highlights include a visit to Musée Airborne and to the famous church. This afternoon, visit Utah Beach, one of the two American landing beaches, which consisted of four crucial causeways that allowed for the invasion forces to advance off the beach and through the flooded fields. Hear the story of General Theodore Roosevelt Jr., and visit the Utah Beach Landing Museum, which features a restored B-26 Marauder and detailed re-creations of the German beach defenses. End the touring day with a stop at Brécourt Manor, the scene of the assault led by Dick Winters famously depicted in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.
Accommodations: Château (B, L, R, D)
November 2, 2025
Day 8
Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, & Normandy American Cemetery
The morning touring begins at Pointe du Hoc, where the 2nd Ranger Battalion landed at the base of a 100-foot cliff and scaled the vertical face in order to neutralize this heavily fortified German position. A visit to nearby “Bloody Omaha” honors the sacrifice on its sands, while a close-up view of the intricate German defense system at St. Laurent-sur-Mer and Vierville-sur-Mer gives a sense of the overwhelming odds those soldiers faced. The day concludes with a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery to pay respects to the 9,387 Americans buried in the ground they helped liberate. Enjoy a “Farewell to Normandy” dinner at the château this evening.
Accommodations: Château (B, L, R, D)
November 3, 2025
Day 9
Departure
This morning, bid farewell to Normandy and transfer to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for individual journeys home
(B)
Optional 2-night Pre-Tour Extension
The Liberation of Paris
Extend your stay in Paris on an optional two-night pre-tour extension program The Liberation of Paris, with Dr. Michael Neiberg. This custom itinerary offers a unique opportunity to explore the some of the city's darkest moments under occupation as well as stories of redemption and resistance to help liberate the City of Light.
Day 1: October 24, 2025
Paris Under Occupation / Deportation
After morning arrivals into Paris Charles de Gualle Airport (CDG), transfer to Hotel du Louvre to store your luggage and enjoy lunch in the area prior to afternoon touring. begin your adventure with visits to the Trocadero and the iconic Eiffel Tower, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views and gain insights into what living in Paris was like after it fell to the Nazis in 1940. When the Nazis took power in Paris, the mass roundups and deportations of Jews had not yet begun at a large scale. The significant roundup, known as the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup (Rafle du Vel' d'Hiv), took place later, on July 16-17, 1942. During this roundup, approximately 13,000 Jews, including about 4,000 children, were arrested by French police acting on German orders.
The Jews who were rounded up during this period were initially held in temporary detention centers in and around Paris, such as the Vélodrome d'Hiver sports arena, Drancy internment camp, and other locations. From these holding areas, they were deported primarily to Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, where most of them were killed.
Learn more about their stories at the Vel d'Hiv Monument, the Children's Memorial Garden, and Jewish Deportation Memorial, a moving tribute to those who suffered during the Holocaust. After lunch on your own, Walk in the footsteps of resistance fighters on a guided tour from Notre Dame to the Luxembourg Gardens, uncovering stories of bravery and resilience. After a welcome reception and lecture, this evening is free to explore Paris on your own.
Accommodations: Hotel du Louvre (R)
Day 2: October 25, 2025
Liberation
Visit the solemn grounds of Mount Valerian and its cemetery located in Suresnes, a suburb just west of Paris.It served as a major execution ground where the Nazis executed over a thousand resistance fighters and hostages. Visitors can explore the memorial site and learn about the acts of bravery and resistance that took place there during the war. After lunch with the group, spend the afternoon at the Paris Liberation Museum. Situated near the Montparnasse area, the museum is dedicated to the history of the city's liberation during World War II. Opened in 2019, the museum is housed in a building that was once the headquarters of the resistance leader Colonel Rol-Tanguy. The exhibits provide an in-depth look at the occupation of Paris, the French Resistance, and the eventual liberation of the city in 1944. Visitors can explore a wealth of artifacts, documents, photographs, and personal testimonies that vividly depict the struggles and triumphs of this pivotal period in history. The museum also features an immersive underground bunker used by the resistance, offering a unique glimpse into the clandestine operations that helped free Paris.
This evening is free to explore Paris on your own.
Accommodations: Hotel du Louvre (B, L)
Day 3: October 26, 2025
Resistance
Walk in the footsteps of resistance fighters on a guided tour from Notre Dame to the Luxembourg Gardens, uncovering stories of bravery and resilience. Enjoy lunch on your own in the area then transfer to S.S. Joie de Vivre to embark and begin the main tour.
(B)
Program Inclusions
- Travel with featured historians John McManus, PhD, and James Holland
- Full-time expert local guides
- Full-time Museum logistical tour managers
- Four nights’ accommodation aboard the 5-star S.S. Joie de Vivre
- Four nights’ accommodation in Normandy at a hand-selected 5-star château
- Most meals, including: (8) breakfasts, (3) lunches, (8) dinners, (8) receptions
- House wines, beer, and spirits with included lunches and dinners during land program
- House wines, beer, and spirits throughout the cruise while aboard the S.S. Joie de Vivre
- All gratuities to drivers, guides, and shipboard staff
- Entrance fees to all sites, museums, and attractions
- Private first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach transportation
- Personal listening devices for touring
- Airport transfers (when arriving and departing on tour dates)
- Informative keepsake map book to be used throughout your journey
- Personalized luggage tags and name badge
Destination Map
For tour questions or for more information, the Travel Sales Team is available
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Central.
Call: 1-877-813-3329 x 257
Email: travel@nationalww2museum.org
John C. McManus, PhD
John C. McManus, PhD, is Curators’ Distinguished Professor of US Military History at Missouri University of Science and Technology, and one of the world’s leading historians of World War II. He has written 12 books, most of which cover some aspect of the American combat experience in World War II, including The Americans at D-Day; The Americans at Normandy; September Hope: The American Side of a Bridge Too Far; Alamo in the Ardennes; and The Dead and Those About to Die, D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach. He is in frequent demand as a speaker and has made hundreds of appearances as an expert commentator for radio and television outlets. He has appeared in numerous major documentaries that have aired on PBS, the History Channel, Netflix, the Smithsonian Network, the Discovery Channel, the National Geographic Channel, and others.
JAMES HOLLAND
James Hol land is an internationally acclaimed, best - selling and award - winning historian, writer, and broadcaster. The author of a number of best - selling histories, he has also presented – and written – a large number of television programmes and series. He has a weekly Second World War podcast, We Have of Making You Talk, with Al Murray, and is a research fellow at St Andrew’s University and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. He is also the Co - Founder and Creative Director of the annual Chalke History Festival in the UK. He can be found on Twitter as @James1940 and on Instagram as @jamesholland1940.
Guests who experience this unique journey exploring Normandy and
the Seine River have the option to spend four nights at one of two
hand-selected chateaux chosen to accommodate our privileged guests.
Both rated 5-stars and equivalent in grandeur, immerse yourself in the
profound histories of either Château la Cheneviere or Château D’Audrieu
for the first four nights of your tour. Both centrally located for easy access
to the beaches and battlefields of Normandy, unwind after a full day’s
touring with exquisite dining and rich décor. Guests may choose their
preferred château at the time of booking (based on availability).
S.S. Joie de Vivre
Take a front-row seat to history in France’s sumptuous Châteaux and on the exquisite riverboat S.S. Joie de Vivre
Uniworld’s five-star S.S. Joie de Vivre has been exclusively chartered by The National WWII Museum for our valued guests. Quite possibly the finest river ship on the waterways of Europe, her 64 staterooms and suites exude the elegance and charm of the chateâux in the region she sails. The ship’s one-of-a-kind décor features handcrafted furniture, original artwork, and signature accents inspired by 20th-century Parisian design. Public spaces include the Salon Toulouse with full-service bar, multiple dining venues, an intimate wine bar, and Le Club L’Esprit, an area dedicated to health and well-being, with a day spa, fitness center, and pool.
Château D’Audrieu
Château D’Audrieu, a 5-star hotel situated between Caen and Bayeux in Calvados, is ideally located in the heart of Normandy’s countryside. During World War II, the German army set up their headquarters here. On June 8, 1944, 24 members of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division and two British soldiers were killed in the orchards, forests, and clearings around the château. This 18th century residence is listed as a Historical Monument, and joined the prestigious Relais et Châteaux Association in 1977. Twenty-nine elegant rooms with garden views feature satellite TV, Wi-Fi access, and minibars. Suites offer original Louis XV and XVI furniture, or art deco styling. Le Séran restaurant serves high-end cuisine. The property also includes a bar, period-style lounges, and a charming breakfast room.
Château la Chenevière
Château la Chenevière is a 5-star hotel renovated from an 18th-century mansion and farm. The château was occupied by the Germans during World War II, and then the Americans after the D-Day landings. It was fully restored in 1988 to become the lush hotel-restaurant it is today. La Chenevière boasts twenty-eight spacious and comfortable rooms that reflect the elegance and romance of its design. The decor of each room has an individual design, with a perfect blend of modern comforts and traditional luxury. Room amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, fully stocked minibar, hair dryer, bathrobe and slippers, and courtesy l’Occitane toiletries.
