An Introduction to the Isle-de-France and Normandy Regions

The Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte was built in 1658-61 for Nicholas Fouquet, the finance minister of Louis XIV. Descended from a long line of Parliamentarians, Fouquet quickly became a rising star in national politics and amassed his own personal fortune. Intelligent and ambitious, Fouquet loved the arts in every form. Several years after his appointment, Fouquet set out to expand his chateau. The architects were Louis LeVau and Jules Hardouin-Mansart; the painter-decorator, Charles Le Brun and André LeNôtre, the landscaper. Although Fouquet remained a faithful servant of the crown and was successful at replenishing the empty Royal treasury, jealousy of his high visibility and personal wealth caused another prominent official, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, to create suspicion in the mind of King Louis XIV regarding Fouquet's honesty in dealing with the state's finances. Even the king himself was none too pleased to see that the lavish and opulent chateau and gardens of Fouquet were more luxurious than his old palace. Fouquet was jailed within weeks after the opening celebrations of the chateau where he remained to his death in 1680. His wife and son were exiled. Louis XIV confiscated much of the artwork and orange trees from the grounds and afterwards employed the same designers for his palace at Versailles.

The village of Giverny is known throughout the world as the home of Claude Monet, who lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926. When Monet became the owner of his rented house in 1890, he completely transformed both it and the property's gardens, even diverting a branch of the River Epte to build his waterlily pond. Where he had once found inspiration in the surrounding countryside, the artist gradually limited himself to his water garden, tirelessly depicting its waterlilies and Japanese bridge. Monet's house was left by his son to the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1966 and has been the Claude Monet Foundation since 1980. Monet's presence in Giverny attracted many artists from all over the world, and the Musée d'Art Américain was opened in 1992 to explore the historic and aesthetic connections between French and American artists.

The old port of Honfleur has well-preserved 18th century waterfront houses and a picturesque harbor that appealed to many 19th century painters. It is one of the best-preserved ports in Normandy. Although the accumulation of silt from the Seine has caused the sea to withdraw, periodic dredging of the channel to the Vieux Bassin helps to keep this ancient port functioning. Pleasure boats continue to moor here and fisherman's wives still run the stands on the pier selling the catch-of-the-day.

Les Andelys is situated in a magnificent setting in a loop of the Seine. Its most famous landmark, Richard the Lionheart's Château Gaillard, overlooks the town from its chalky hillside perch. The castle was constructed in less than 1 year (1196-97) on a strategic spot to stand watch over the river at the border of the English king's domain. Its destruction was ordered by Henri IV in 1603, but the imposing ruins still remain.

Ever since the Capetian kings made it their capital in the 12th century, Paris has been the center of political, intellectual, and artistic life in France. The oldest part of the city is on the Ile de la Cité, which has been occupied since the time of Caesar. By the Middle Ages, the town had spread onto both the left and right banks. Later periods of growth led to successive enlargements of the town walls, but real development did not begin until the time of Henry IV in the late 16th century.

The museums and monuments of Paris are legendary. The 12th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame is situated on the Ile de la Cité on a site that was occupied by two earlier churches. Though it was severely damaged during the French Revolution, the Cathedral with its massive flying buttresses remains one of the most recognizable buildings in Paris. The Louvre is one of the world's best-known art galleries. Once a Royal residence, it first opened as a museum in 1793. On the opposite end of the Champs-Elysées sits the Arc de Triomphe de l'Etoile, the largest triumphal arch in the world. It was completed in 1836 and commemorates the military glory of Napoleon. Near the Hôtel des Invalides is Paris' most famous symbol, the Eiffel Tower. It dates from 1889 when it was constructed for the Universal Exhibition.

Moret-sur-Loing is a fortified town that has retained much of its historic character. For a long period, Moret-sur-Loing was a frontier town between old France and the kingdom of Burgundy and was one of the most important royal cities of medieval times. The town was also a major stopping point for pilgrims on their way to follow the Way of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Impressionist painters such as Monet, Renoir and Sisley found inspiration in the picturesque lanes, old monuments and green edges of the River Loing. Alfred Sisley, a talented landscape painter, spent the last twenty years of his life painting in Moret until his death in 1899 at the age of 59.

The ancient streets and houses of Rouen have been the stage for many a historical drama. Presently the capital of Upper Normandy, it was one of the most prosperous and largest cities in medieval Europe. One of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman dynasties it was here that Jeanne d'Arc was tried and burned at the stake in 1430. Wartime bombs in WWII ravaged much of the city on the famous D-day, destroying most of its bridges and heavily damaging the 13th Notre Dame Cathedral as well as the city's industrial area. Enormous amounts of money have been spent rebuilding and restoring the medieval city. Its surviving half-timbered buildings, famous memorials, impressive history and working port combine to make this city a significant stop on your cruise along the Seine.

Although it is not France's largest river, the Seine is certainly France's best known. Starting in Dijon in northern France it flows through Paris and into the English Channel. In ancient times, the Seine was known by the Latin name of Sequana and since the days of the Roman Empire the Seine has been a major commercial artery as well as the heart and soul of Paris. During the 19th and 20th centuries the sights along the Seine inspired many artists and painters and the Banks of the Seine in Paris were added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites in 1991.

Vernon was founded by Rollo, the giant Viking and the first Duke of Normandy, in the 9th century. A fortified city, with a commanding position on the Seine, it was incorporated into the Kingdom of France in 1196, eight years before the complete incorporation of Normandy. Here at the castle of Tournelles, Jeanne d'Arc, the Maid of Orleans, was victorious in one of several major battles against the English, opening the way for the Dauphin to march to Reims for his coronation as Charles VII.

SATURDAY
Meet at 3:00 pm at Hotel Régina in Paris for motor coach transfer to 'Anacoluthe,' moored in Rouen. After a champagne welcome, there is time for a stroll in town before dinner on board.

SUNDAY
After a morning walking tour of Rouen's medieval center, there is time to browse in the shops before cruising upstream to Poses for overnight mooring.

MONDAY
Cruise to the little town of les Andelys, set alongside the ruins of Château Gaillard. After a delicious brunch on board 'Anacoluthe,' visit the charming city of Honfl eur with its picturesque streets and harbor front.

TUESDAY
This morning's excursion is to Monet's house and gardens at Giverny. It was here that the renowned Impressionist artist lived and worked for more than 40 years. After lunch, cruise to the lovely riverside town of Chatou on the outer fringes of Paris.

WEDNESDAY
Cruise to Rueil-Malmaison to visit Château de Malmaison. Purchased for Josephine by Napoleon in 1799, it was the Empress' favorite residence. Later, there is time to shop in Rueil's exclusive boutiques before an unforgettable nighttime cruise through the heart of Paris.

THURSDAY
After a morning cruise to Melun, visit Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a magnifi cent 17th-century castle with exquisite gardens. Then continue cruising to St-Mammès for an excursion to nearby Moret-sur-Loing, a charming medieval town that inspired the canvases of landscape artist Alfred Sisley. Return to 'Anacoluthe' for a gala farewell dinner this evening.

FRIDAY
After breakfast, return to Hotel Régina in Paris where your tour ends.

Note: This route is run in reverse on alternate weeks.

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