Tour Overview
Landing Beaches to Liberation: The Battle of Normandy and Seine River cruise to Paris is truly the best, most educational, and luxurious way to experience France in a different way: at a leisurely pace, discovering quaint towns, and savoring the culinary delights that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
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A ONE-OF-A-KIND LUXURY RIVER CRUISE AND NORMANDY CHÂTEAU EXPERIENCE
October 26 - November 3, 2025
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 Post-Tour Extension Program - Liberation of Paris - Double Occupancy
$2,599
Price per person based on Single occupancy
Optional Two-Night Post-Tour Extension Program - Liberation of Paris - Single Occupancy
$2,999
$129 per person taxes and fees are additional are included in the post-tour pricing listed above.
Download the Brochure
Download the official Landing Beaches to Liberation: The Battle of Normandy and Seine River Cruise to Paris 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, and Transfer to Normandy
Depart the US on an evening flight and arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) the next morning. Guests are warmly welcomed during a breakfast reception at the Sheraton Charles de Gaulle Airport hotel and transfer to Normandy mid-day. Enjoy the scenic coach ride to the Normandy region, with a stop for an independent lunch along the way. After enjoying some free time to relax or explore the grounds of your preferred château, the group gathers this evening for introductions and an itinerary overview during a welcome reception and dinner.
Accommodations: Château (R, D)
October 27, 2025 - Day 2
British Sector
Today’s tour of Normandy begins where the first shots of the invasion were fired by British glider troops at the crucial Pegasus Bridge. Guests learn about Major John Howard and his men of the “Ox and Bucks” and how they were able to secure and hold the bridge. Drive along the British and Canadian sectors while hearing stories of the landings that took place to the east of the American assaults. Midday, arrive at Arromanches, explore this quaint village, and enjoy lunch on your own. This afternoon, view the remains of a Mulberry harbor and gain insight into this great feat of engineering and ingenuity. Next, a trip up the commanding bluff culminates in a visit to the German gun battery at Longues-sur-Mer. This evening, join the group for dinner at the château.
Accommodations: Château (B, R, D)
October 28, 2025 - Day 3
US Airborne: Sainte-Mère-Église & Utah Beach
This morning starts with an exclusive visit to La Fiere Bridge, the scene of heavy fighting from June 6-8, 1944. Seizing this strategic causeway resulted in over 500 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 had four crucial causeways that allowed for the invasion forces to advance through the flooded fields. Hear the story of General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., and visit the Utah Beach Museum, which features a restored B-26 Marauder and detailed recreations of the German beach defenses. End the touring day with a stop at Brécourt Manor, widely known as the scene of Dick Winter’s D-Day assault in the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers.
Accommodations: Château (B, L, R, D)
October 29, 2025 - Day 4
Pointe du Hoc / Omaha Beach / Normandy American Cemetery
The morning tour begins at Pointe du Hoc, where the 2nd Ranger Battalion scaled the cliffs to neutralize the fortified German position. The next stop is “Bloody Omaha” beach, where the US Army overcame the odds to etch a heroic chapter in history. Visits to the coastal towns of St. Laurent-sur-Mer and Vierville-sur-Mer provide a close-up view of the intricate German defense system on Omaha and give a sense of the overwhelming odds American soldiers faced on June 6, 1944. After lunch, visit the Normandy American Cemetery to pay respects to the 9,387 Americans buried in the ground they helped liberate. This evening, take part in a special “Farewell to Normandy” dinner with the group.
Château (B, L, R, D)
October 30, 2025 - Day 5
Bayeux / Board S.S. Joie de Vivre
Spend the last morning in coastal Normandy exploring the picturesque town of Bayeux. Touring includes a viewing of the Bayeux Tapestry—the historic 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 on your own. After free time to shop and have lunch at your leisure, head to Rouen to embark on the luxurious S.S. Joie de Vivre.
S.S. Joie de Vivre (B, R, D)
October 31, 2025 - Day 6
Dieppe / Rouen
On the northern coast of France lies the fishing community of Dieppe. It was here in August 1942, that the ill-fated Allied raid by mostly Canadian forces would offer invaluable lessons for D-Day nearly two years later. Marvel at the smooth stones, called shale, which make up the beach. Traction is difficult while walking on them, so one can imagine the difficulty of landing and advancing while under fire. The boardwalk behind the beach contains tributes to the units and men who came ashore in hopes of seizing and holding the town. A keen eye will be able to spot the German emplacements on the cliffs above Dieppe. After lunch and free time in this charming seaside town, 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, just two days before the Dieppe Raid. Take part in a walking tour of the town center or return to the ship to relax before dinner this evening.
S.S. Joie de Vivre (B, R, D)
November 1, 2025 - Day 7
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.
S.S. Joie de Vivre (B, L, R, D)
November 2, 2025 - Day 8
Versailles
This morning, dock in Mantes-la-Jolie, gateway to both the city of Versailles and the commune of Auvers-sur-Oise. 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.
S.S. Joie de Vivre (B, R, D)
November 3, 2025 - Day 9
Paris
Disembark from the S.S. Joie de Vivre for transfer to Charles de Gaulle Airport.
(B)
November 3-5, 2025 - Optional 2-night post-Tour Extension
Extend your stay in Paris on an optional two-night post-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: November 3, 2025
Paris Under Occupation / Deportation / Resistance
Disembark Joie de Vivre and 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. This evening is free to explore Paris on your own.
Accommodations: Hotel du Louvre
Day 2: November 4, 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, Dr. Neiberg will host a Farewell Reception and Lecture at the hotel prior to dinner at leisure.
Accommodations: Hotel du Louvre (B, L, R)
Day 3: November 5, 2025
After breakfast, transfer to Paris Charles de Gualle Airport (CDG) for individual flights home.
(B)
Program Inclusions
- Travel with featured historians William I. Hitchcock, PhD and Michael Neiberg, PhD
- Full-time expert local guides
- Full-time Museum logistical tour managers
- Four nights’ accommodation in Normandy at a hand-selected 5-star château
- Four nights’ accommodation aboard the 5-star S.S. Joie de Vivre
- 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
William I. Hitchcock, PhD
William I. Hitchcock is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning teacher who has published numerous books relating to World War II, including The Bitter Road to Freedom: A New History of the Liberation of Europe, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and a winner of the George Louis Beer Prize from the American Historical Association. He is also the author of The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s. He received his B.A. from Kenyon College and his Ph.D. from Yale University. He has been a Fulbright scholar, a fellow of the Nobel Institute in Oslo, and the holder of the Henry Kissinger Chair at the Library of Congress. He is now the James Madison Professor of History at the University of Virginia.
MICHAEL NEIBERG, PhD
Michael Neiberg, PhD, is the Professor of History and Chair of War Studies in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the United States Army War College. His published work specializes on the First and Second World Wars in global context. The Wall Street Journal named his Dance of the Furies: Europe and the Outbreak of World War I one of the five best books ever written about that war. He is also the author of The Blood of Free Men: The Liberation of Paris, 1944 and Potsdam: The End of World War II and the Remaking of Europe, both published by Basic Books.
In October 2016, Oxford University Press published his Path to War: How the First World War Created Modern America and in July 2017, Oxford published his Concise History of the Treaty of Versailles. He is now at work on a history of US involvement in the Middle East from 1942 to 1950.
Guests who experience this unique journey exploring the Battle of 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.
“The museum does a magnificent job in planning and executing the tour. The museum organized extraordinarily good local guides and prominent historians. Accommodations, meals, bus and vessel travel were exquisite. The tour managers were unfailingly well organized, service-oriented, warm, poised, and effective.”
Dustin L.
New Orleans, LA
“This D-Day Trip was our first experience traveling to Europe, and it was A+ and beyond! Everything about the trip was truly memorable and worth its value. Unforgettable! We are inspired to take MORE TRIPS with the WWII Museum, because they are so well-planned and we know that we will love every minute. Again, a special shout-out to WWII staff, as their attention to making every moment memorable was a defining reason why this trip will always be one of our very favorites ever!”
—Dax P., New York, NY
“We had high expectations, and you exceeded them.”
—Jackie H., Seattle, WA
“Looking forward to our next trip soon. Loved it. It was an amazing experience. Can’t wait for more trips! Phenomenal.”
—Jason J., Houston, TX
“Par Excellence! They were so prepared, so pleasant and so accommodating that I was able to learn more historical, and cultural facts than I thought possible.”
—Craig T., Phoenix, AZ
“We were very pleased with the accommodations at the chateau and aboard the SS Joie de Vivre. The chateau provided spacious, well-equipped rooms, elegant dining facilities, and an open, airy meeting space. We especially enjoyed the grounds of La Cheneviere even in the rain. Enchanting chateau! Would love to visit again.”
—Andy S., Lockport, LA
“It was a beautiful Chateau and the food was delicious. The waiters were awesome. The cruise was also beautiful. The food was fabulous.”
—Donna M., Philadelphia, PA
“Absolutely IMPECCABLE!!!! Your staff and the historians were brilliant.”
—Chris P., Santa Barbara, CA
“Tour was exceptionally organized in all respects. Have already recommended tours through the museum to others.”
—Becky W., New Orleans, LA