France River Cruises - Viking River Cruises

France is the land of liberty, equality and fraternity, but it's also the land of impressionism, gourmet dining and fashion. It's a world where creativity is praised above all else and style is of the utmost. On a Viking River Cruise you can sail the calm rivers of France, from the Seine to the Rhone, and be a part of this wonderful culture that has inspired so many. Viking River Cruises has a wide range of sailings at affordable prices. Take advantage now, before the best cabins sell out.

Beauty comes to mind first when you visit the countryside of France. In Giverny you will get a tour of the gardens and stone houses that inspired and refreshed Monet in his later years of life. It is here where he painted his famous water lilies. In Lyon, learn about the Lumiere brothers, who were pioneers in movie making. In Arles, spy the beauty of the bright purple fields of lavender, which is used for making fragrances.

After beauty comes the style. France, particularly Paris, is known for its style. Take a Viking Rivers excursion to Versailles, once home to Marie Antoinette and lined with mirrors, gold and crystals. From this decorative style, check out the visual style of famous painters like Leonardo Da Vinci and Vincent Van Gogh at the Louvre. Then, for a more literal sense of style, you can visit the home of the famous fashion designer Coco Chanel.

With all this beauty and style, I'm sure you'll work up an appetite. Never fear, at each stop along your Viking River Cruises tour of France you'll find some tasty treat or gourmet meal waiting to satisfy your every desire. This is the land that taught Julia Child how to cook, after all. Most of Viking River Cruises' French itineraries sail into the heart of the wine country, so don't miss out on a tour of a local vineyard in Bordeaux or the chance to visit Cognac, home to the famous brandy. Continue below for a few more ideas of the experiences available on a Viking River Cruise to France:

• Bordeaux is full of historic French sites, and you'll have plenty of time to see the best of them with Viking River Cruises, including the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux, Place des Quinconces and more along the scenic banks of the Garonne River.
   
• See the remarkable sites of Paris - such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Opera House, Orsay Museum and more. There's no shortage of history to uncover in the City of Lights.
   

• Step into Claude Monet's shoes as you tour his longtime residence in Giverny, France. Stroll through the inspiring stone buildings, lush gardens and peaceful water lilies.
   
• In Rouen, France you can tour a quintessential medieval city complete with its Gothic cathedral and the infamous Market Square where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake.
   

• Drive along the beaches of Normandy - including Gold and Juno Beach - until you arrive at the WWII memorial at Omaha Beach, the D-Day Museum and the American Military Cemetery.
   
• Tour the towering Chateau Gaillard of Les Andelys, France - a late 12th-century behemoth that offers a powerful reminder of the conflict that characterized the Middle Ages in France.
   

We could go on, because a Viking River Cruise to France has so much to offer, and many ports to explore. Don't forget Viking also offers extensions, where you can book a land package to Barcelona or Marseilles or even spend a few extra days in Paris before or after your sailing. We can help you create the vacation of your dreams. Contact our river experts at 1-800-377-9383 to learn more about Viking's river cruises through France and we'll plan an unforgettably stunning cruise.

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