Seine River/ May 2018

M.S. Bizet docked in Honfleur, France. 

My wife and I were able to add to our travel log recently in May 2018, as we joined other guest on the the M.S. Bizet travelling from Honfleur, France to Paris, France on the Seine River.  The Bizet is owned by Grand Circle Travel Company and is made specifically for this river and Paris environment.
After arriving in Paris, after a smooth direct flight from Boston, we took some time to go into Paris and enjoy the beautiful afternoon.  We then spent our first night at a hotel near the airport in the village of Roissy.

http://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/discover/normandy-must-sees/the-10-top-normandy-must-sees/honfleur-86-2.html

After our breakfast, we joined the rest of the passengers and made our way by bus to the port of Honfleur to board the M.S. Bizet.  On the way to our destination we took time to stop in the city of Caen, France to visit the Peace Memorial Museum.  This museum presents a view of the circumstances that led to World War II and the duration of the war.


After our visit we again boarded our bus to continue to Honfleur.

Honfleur Harbor at twilight. 

This port, Honfleur, established in the eleventh century, provided a beautiful start to our trip as it is quite a picturesque location.  It helped that we had exceptional weather. We happened to be in Honfleur during the annual Mariners Celebration.  Boats, decorated, came into the harbor to receive the yearly blessing.  A bustling harbor area  with a large number of restaurants and cafe's created a great deal of local color.

St. Catherine's-Church.  The largest wooden church in France dominates the beautiful skyline in Honfleur.

From this location, Honfleur, we spent a day traveling through time back to June 6, 1944, "D-Day", to visit three locations that changed the destiny of Europe and the world.  First to Pointe Hoc, where American Rangers, scaled the tall cliffs as entry into France and Europe. Our second location was Omaha Beach where thousands of American service members lost their lives.  Lastly, we visited the American Cemetery where 9,368 young American service members gave their lives to fight against the tyranny of Hitler and the Third Reich.

Our next stop was in Caudebec, France . A short visit but long enough to take in the local cathedral, Notre Dame.

Another visit on our itinerary was to Rouen, the capital of the Normandy area and known historically as the place where Joan of Arc was imprisoned, tried for heresy and killed in 1431.

The Gros Horloge (Great Clock) of Rouen is iconic of the city. 

The monument that locates the location that Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. Rouen, France.

Rouen Cathedral. The cathedral was consecrated by William the Great in 1063.

Another highlight of this trip was the visit to the home and studio of Claude Monet, in Giverny . We docked on the banks of the city of Vernon along the Seine River.  We then drove to the beautiful home of Monet which today is a museum. 

A local artist paints as we watch.

 Giverny is a village in the region of Normandy in northern France. Impressionist painter Claude Monet lived and worked here from 1883 until his death in 1926. The artist’s former home and elaborate gardens, where he produced his famed water lily series, are now the Fondation Claude Monet museum. Nearby, the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny highlights the Impressionist art movement.

Vernon, France, in the Normandy area of France. 

Claude Monet's studio in his home in Giverny, France.

Another afternoon visit to Auvers-sur-Oise. This traditional French city was the location of the end of Van Gogh's life.  Dr. Paul Gachet lived in Auvers-sur-Oise. He was acquainted with the avant-garde artists of the time. Through this connection, Vincent van Goghmoved to Auvers to be treated by him, though he considered the doctor to be in a worse state than himself. Gachet befriended Van Gogh and was the subject of two portraits, one of which, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, was sold at auction for over $80m (£48m) in 1990.^[2]

Van Gogh died by a gunshot to the chest. The room on the upper floor of the Auberge Ravoux where he died has been preserved, although no furniture remains. Auvers-sur-Oise is the final resting place of both Vincent and his brother Theo van Gogh, who died six months later.^[2]

Auberge Ravoux 

The field where Vincent Van Gogh took his life.

Grave of Vincent Van Gogh, Auvers-sur-Oise, France.

Our final stop on this wonderful trip was in the magical city of Paris.  Paris is a vibrant, modern, yet quaint city that is in constant motion 24 hours a day.  Everywhere you look in Paris is another history lesson.  

Moulin Rouge

Paris at night along the Seine River. 

The iconic Eiffel Tower shines against the twilight sky.

Bette and I with our wonderful guide Sandrine. 

Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, France.

The Louve along the banks of the Seine River. 

The Eiffle Tower during the day.

This was the third time I have visited this beautiful city.  It is such a beautiful and rich city. Travel the world, you will see how small it really is.

Tom