Follow the Seine on an 8-day river sojourn, winding from Parisian suburbs to the sea and back, discovering small towns, romantic chateaux and medieval cities, windy seascapes, and colorful gardens that inspired Impressionist painters. Walk in Van Gogh's footsteps at Auvers-sur-Oise... admire the breathtaking view from the heights of Richard the Lionheart's castle at Les Andelys... before opening hours, immerse in the picture-perfect beauty of Monet's gardens and lily ponds at Giverny... stand awestruck at the island monastery of Mont St. Michel, and the D-Day beaches at Pointe du Hoc... wander the cobbled streets of medieval Rouen, and the charming seaside port of Honfleur, where Monet learned to paint with oils, and Impressionism was born. Along the way you'll also find the soul of Norman cuisine, the essence of calvados, and enjoy special evenings as the royals once did at elegant centuries-old Château de Bizy and Château du Taillis.

Food and art are passions in Southern France and key ingredients for the culturally curious. An idyllic walk down lanes that inspired Cézanne in Aix, contemporary art on the grounds of a classic Provençal château, an insider tour with a van Gogh art scholar in St. Rémy, a picnic in a lavender meadow, exploring the Roman ruins of Glanum, soft landscapes changing hues in the waning sun, and a farewell at a private, family-owned winery in Châteauneuf-du-Pape... and the palette of our Provence tours becomes richer still.

Unique experiences include a Tauck Exclusive evening at Château du Taillis, a palatial private residence in Normandy, where guests will enjoy a reception, dinner, music, and a tour of the château's small museum of World War II artifacts; and a private early-opening guided visit to the home and gardens of the painter Claude Monet at Giverny, where he painted many masterpieces, followed by free time to explore the nearby Impressionist Museum as you please; and in Paris, a choice of museum visit. Highlights include Versailles, for guided visit inside Louis XIV's magnificent palace and gardens at Château de Versailles; Rouen, where a walking tour includes visits to Cathédrale de Rouen and Joan of Arc Square with a local guide; the D-Day Beaches of Normandy, with guided visits to Pont du Hoc, Omaha Beach, and the American Cemetery along with lunch at Chateau la Cheneviere; Les Andelys for a guided walking tour and a visit to Château Gaillard; and Tilly, for cider and Calvados tastings and a Normandy farm tour.

Impressions of France... rendered on canvas within famed art or quickly captured by street artists in Montmartre, gilded into a golden palace at Versailles, indulged during a château dinner, distilled into apple brandy and cider, carved into a clifftop castle, and floating in a Water Garden... linger long after you return home. Follow the Seine to coastal Normandy on a 10-day journey that's sure to impress. Discover the art of Paris before a 7-night cruise to Rouen, Honfleur and Giverny, immortalized by Impressionist artists. Visit D-Day beaches, sample Calvados where it is made, dine at a private château and more before returning to Paris via riverboat.