Beaches of Normandy to the Banks of the Seine Travel Tour

Sail the Seine to the Shores of Normandy

NORMANDY AND THE SEINE RIVER TOUR

Tour Overview

A unique itinerary cruising the Seine River from the heart of Normandy to Paris, delving into the stories of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy on the French coast and exploring the rich culture of the Normandy countryside along the way. Our custom-curated itinerary features renowned historians, authors, and experts on World War II, a remarkable advantage to traveling with the Museum. 

Board the exclusively chartered Uniworld SS Joie de Vivre in Paris and spend four nights cruising the iconic Seine River into the heart of Normandy. Debark in Rouen, and transfer by coach to Normandy. While in Normandy, explore the beaches and battlefields by day and enjoy four nights at a 5-star château steeped in history, indulging in gourmet French cuisine every evening.

Guests may also choose to relive the joys of the long-awaited liberation of the “City of Light” during an optional two-night pre-tour program in Paris.

Dates and Pricing

2027 Program Pricing

March 20 – 28, 2027 with Featured Historians John McManus, PhD and Clare Mulley

October 24 - November 1, 2027 with Featured Historians Keith Lowe and Saul David, PhD

Price per person based on Double Occupancy

4 nights Suite at Chateau
4 nights Grand Suite (Victor Hugo Deck) aboard SS Joie de Vivre
$17,999 $16,999

4 nights Suite at Chateau
4 nights Suite (Victor Hugo Deck) aboard SS Joie de Vivre
$15,599 $14,599

4 nights Standard Room at Chateau
4 nights Deluxe French Balcony (Victor Hugo Deck) aboard SS Joie de Vivre
$13,599 $12,599

4 nights Standard Room at Chateau
4 nights French Balcony (Balzac Deck) aboard SS Joie de Vivre
$12,599 $11,599

4 nights Standard Room at Chateau
4 nights Classic Stateroom (Jules Verne Deck) aboard SS Joie de Vivre
$11,999 $10,999

$399 per person taxes and fees are additional.

 

Book Spring 2027 Tour

Book Fall 2027 Tour

Request More Information

SS Joie de Vivre Deck Plans

Single accommodations are available

4 nights Standard Room at Chateau
4 nights French Balcony (Balzac Deck) aboard SS Joie de Vivre
$11,999 $10,999

Call 1-877-813-3329 x 257 to reserve single occupancy cabins. Limited availability.

Optional Two-Night Pre-Tour Extension Program - Liberation of Paris

Price per person based on Double Occupancy $2,999
Price per person based on Single occupancy $3,299

We impose a surcharge of 3% on the total transaction amount on credit card products, which is not greater than our cost of acceptance. We do not surcharge debit cards or e-checks.

Terms and Conditions

Download the Brochure

Download the official digital brochure.

Download Brochure
Sail the Seine to the Shores of Normandy

Destination Map

Normandy and the Seine River Tours 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

Spring 2027 Featured Historian

John 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; and The Dead and Those About to Die: D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach. Other relevant titles include September Hope: The American Side of a Bridge Too Far; Alamo in the Ardennes; and Grunts: Inside the American Infantry Combat Experience, World War II Through Iraq. McManus has made hundreds of appearances as an expert commentator for radio and television outlets as well as in numerous major documentaries for PBS, The History Channel, Netflix, the Smithsonian Network, Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and others.

Spring 2027 Featured Historian

Clare Mulley

Clare Mulley is an award-winning historian, author, and broadcaster whose work primarily focuses on the female experience during World War II. Her debut, The Woman who Saved the Children, which chronicles the life of Save the Children founder Eglantyne Jebb, won the Daily Mail Biographers’ Club Prize. Mulley’s other acclaimed biographies include The Spy Who Loved: The Secrets and Lives of Christine Granville, Britain’s First Female Special Agent of World War II; The Women Who Flew for Hitler; and Agent Zo: The Untold Story of a World War II Resistance Fighter, which was shortlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction and awarded silver in the Military History Matters magazine’s best books of the year. Beyond her writing, Mulley contributes to historical documentaries for the BBC and other broadcasters, has judged several literary prizes, and writes for publications including The Spectator, TLS, Literary Review, and BBC History Magazine. A popular public speaker, Clare has spoken at the House of Commons, Royal Albert Hall, Imperial War Museum, and major literary and history festivals. Mulley is also a proud recipient of the Bene Merito cultural honor of the Republic of Poland. She lives in England with her husband, the sculptor Ian Wolter, and their dog.

Clare Mulley portrait
Fall 2027 Featured Historian

Keith Lowe

Keith Lowe is a writer and historian whose works have been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide. He is the author of several books about World War II, including the international bestseller Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II (2012), which won the Hessell-Tiltman Prize for History and Italy’s national Cherasco History Prize; The Fear and the Freedom (2017), which was described by the Wall Street Journal as “one of the best, most useful books on World War II to have emerged in the past decade”; Inferno: The Devastation of Hamburg 1943 (2007); and Prisoners of History (2020). His latest work, Naples 1944, describes the liberation of Italy, and the political and economic chaos that followed. Lowe regularly speaks on TV and radio, and has lectured at universities, conferences, and literary festivals all over the world. He has written for a variety of newspapers and journals, including The Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Wall Street Journal, El País, and the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. He serves on the historical advisory board for Liberation Route Europe and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. A graduate of Manchester University, he lives in London, England.

Keith Lowe profile portrait
Fall 2027 Featured Historian

Saul David, PhD

Saul David is an award-winning military historian, author, and broadcaster. He earned his PhD from the University of Glasgow and is currently a Professorial Research Fellow at the University of Buckingham and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His many books include The Force: The Legendary Special Ops Unit and WWII’s Mission Impossible; as well as Sunday Times Top 10 bestsellers Sky Warriors: British Airborne Forces in the Second World War and SBS: Silent Warriors. His book Operation Thunderbolt: Flight 139 and the Raid on Entebbe Airport was named a 2015 Amazon History Book of the Year and later adapted into the movie Entebbe. He is currently working on a history of the Battle for Europe, 1944–1945. He has presented and appeared in history programs for major TV and streaming channels, and co-hosts the popular Battleground podcast with Patrick Bishop.

Sail the Seine to the Shores of Normandy

Accommodations

Accommodation on Board

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.


Guests who experience this unique journey exploring the Seine River and the Battle of Normandy 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.


Accommodations on Shore

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.

Learn More
Accommodations on Shore

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.

Learn More
Sail the Seine to the Shores of Normandy

Request More Information