France
The Seine: D-Day Beaches to Paris
Program No. 12416RJ
Gain a deeper understanding of the significant events of World War II, learning about the beaches of Normandy and historic sites of occupied Paris on expert-led excursions.
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15 days
14 nights
35 meals
13B 11L 11D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
3
Transfer to Caen or Bayeux or Port en Bessin
Port en Bessin
4
Free Time, Normandy Country Cuisine, Mont-Saint-Michel
Port en Bessin
6
Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Pointe du Hoc
Port en Bessin
7
Hedgerows & Saint-Lô, Sainte-Mère-Église, Utah Beach
Port en Bessin
8
Caen Memorial, Honfleur
Honfleur
9
Honfleur, Eugène Boudin Museum
Honfleur
12
Giverny, Monet Lecture
Vernon
At a Glance
Trace the events of history’s largest invasion on June 6, 1944, from Normandy’s beaches to the liberation of Paris. At charming ports of call, local experts discuss life along the Seine River ranging from medieval history to Impressionist art.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Extensive walking along unpaved lanes and cobblestone streets; some stairs without railings and/or uneven ground. Participants should be able to stand for at least one hour.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Enjoy riverboat views of the Seine and surrounding countryside.
- Delve into the events of D-Day with experts at Sainte-Mère-Église and at Utah and Omaha Beaches.
- Explore the historic sites of Paris’ World War II occupation and learn about its final liberation in August 1944.
General Notes
Departures operate on different ships, so please see the daily schedule for specific details. Please note that during these programs, Road Scholar will operate smaller groups each with their own Group Leader for shore excursions. The small groups may occasionally come together for lectures. Current Events in Paris: Due to the fire at Notre Dame, the cathedral is closed to visitors. Road Scholar programs that visit Île de la Cité will be able to see the outside of the cathedral, but we will not be able to go inside.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Bill Snowden
Bill Snowden was a geography master at Harrow school, a boy's boarding school that counts Lord Byron and Winston Churchill among its former pupils. In 2014, he retired from teaching to devote more of his time to travel and leading travel adventurers. Since 1984, Bill has worked during spring and summer breaks as a group leader. He is fluent in French and Spanish, providing him the opportunity to lead educational travel programs across Europe, most notably in France and Spain.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Bill Snowden
View biography
Bill Snowden was a geography master at Harrow school, a boy's boarding school that counts Lord Byron and Winston Churchill among its former pupils. In 2014, he retired from teaching to devote more of his time to travel and leading travel adventurers. Since 1984, Bill has worked during spring and summer breaks as a group leader. He is fluent in French and Spanish, providing him the opportunity to lead educational travel programs across Europe, most notably in France and Spain.
Olivier Horslaville
View biography
Olivier Horslaville is a Normandy native and is dedicated to preserving the region's fascinating heritage. Surrounded by nature, history and culture, he was continuously inspired by his homeland and went on to study art and archaeology at the esteemed Ecole du Louvre in Paris. After receiving his degree, Olivier returned to Normandy and spends his time working with local heritage associations.
Suggested Reading List
(19 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Seine: D-Day Beaches to Paris
Program Number: 12416
My Life in France
The touching and famous story of Julia Child in France, where she learned to cook and fell in love with French cuisine, all in her own words.
Omaha Beach: D-Day, June 6, 1944
In this unforgettable narrative of D-Day, Joseph Balkoski describes the minute-by-minute combat as it unfolded on Omaha Beach, allowing soldiers to speak for themselves as they recall their attempts to maneuver bombers through heavy cloud cover, the claustrophobic terror aboard transports, and the relentless fire that greeted them on the beach
1066, The Year of the Conquest
A crack medievalist and storyteller, Howarth brings to life the momentous events of 1066 in rich, anecdotal history -- a classic portrait of the Norman invasion and conquest of England.
The Food & Wine of France: Eating & Drinking from Champagne to Provence
Behr seeks out the best of French food, in encounters from Champagne to Provence, to tell the stories of French artisans and chefs who work at the highest level. He shares what he learns from these experts on French traditions and how to best enjoy this food.
A Traveller's History of Paris
A fast-moving, short survey of French history with a focus on Paris from its foundation, through the heady days of revolution and up to modern times.
The Secret Life of the Seine
After losing his Paris apartment, Rosenblum, a born storyteller, takes to a houseboat moored on the Seine. The result is this entertaining tour of the places and people he encounters during his explorations along the river.
Lonely Planet French Phrasebook
This handy phrasebook focuses on pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary for the traveler.
The Hotel Majestic
The most famous fictional detective in France, Maigret, tackles a case in the heart of Paris.
How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City
A captivating history of the growth, design, and planning of Paris, telling the story of how the modern city came to be.
F is for France: A Curious Cabinet of French Wonders
An alphabetized catalogue of quirky French culture and history tidbits.
A Moveable Feast
A treasure for anyone interested in Parisian cafe society and its luminaries circa 1925. Hemingway includes sharp portraits of Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ford Maddox Ford and others who idled on their way to greatness.
The New Paris
Move past the clichés and learn about what makes up Paris today. Explore the open-minded sensibility, diverse populations, and hidden corners of The New Paris.
Murder in the Marais
Literate and thrilling, with a strong sense of the geography and flavor of Paris, the first in a series of mysteries starring Aimee Ledoc shows off the French-American detective's wit and wile. The series continues with Murder in Belleville (FRN562), Murder in the Sentier (FRN563) and many more.
The Flaneur: A Stroll through the Paradoxes of Paris
A 'flaneur' is a stroller, a loiterer, someone who ambles through city streets in search of adventure and fulfillment. Edmund White, who lived in Paris for sixteen years, wanders through the streets and avenues and along the quays, into parts of Paris virtually unknown to visitors and indeed to many Parisians.
Paris Noir: African Americans in the City of Light
A history of black Americans who settled in Paris, France, from 1900 to the present.
From Beachhead to Brittany: The 29th Infantry Division at Brest, August-September 1944
Historian Joseph Balkoski follows the U.S. 29th Infantry Division out of Normandy and into Brittany in the northwest corner of France, where the division was tasked with seizing the port of Brest.
Markets of Paris
An in-depth guide to the best markets in Paris. Dive into the heart of French culture and navigate the markets like a local with maps, tips, and handy phrases.
Paris Pratique Par Arrondissement
This pocket atlas contains detailed maps of every neighborhood in Paris, as well as details about bus and metro stops.
The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris
Australian critic and writer Baxter draws on his second career as a literary tour guide in his adopted city for this witty memoir, laced with terrific tales.