Rendezvous on the Seine
I would love some feedback on the two days of excursions you have to choose from. First is in Paris and second is day 5 on the way to Normandy.
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I would love some feedback on the two days of excursions you have to choose from. First is in Paris and second is day 5 on the way to Normandy.
Comments
I've done a Seine cruise, the Normandy land tour and other tours that included Paris so all the options you're asking about I've done.
Paris Excursions:
The basic drive around and see the sights really depends on whether this is your first Paris visit, if not then probably skip it. It's gotten harder for coaches to make brief photo op stops in Paris these days.
The Marais was a very nice walking tour and interesting area. I wasn't sure about this one but really enjoyed it.
The Latin Quarter/Cluny museum kind of depends on your interests. I wanted to see the famous Unicorn tapestries having read Tracy Chevalier's "The Lady and the Unicorn" novel. There are interesting things in this museum but it was summer so the museum was hot and a bit musty. Maybe they have AC now.
Day 5: Again it depends on your interests
Étretat - is a beautiful seaside town with amazing views of the white cliffs - basically they're opposite the white cliffs of Dover. Honfleur is a lovely seaside village. Both are scenic and have lots of restaurants and shopping if that interests you.
The Mémorial de Caen is a huge museum with an extensive presentation about WWII. The itinerary mentions Bayeax but not whether you actually see the tapestry detailing William the Conqueror's invasion of Britain.
If you're worried about picking your excursion wrong I wouldn't worried. Once on board the Tauck staff will answer any questions you have and I've never had them refuse to let me switch if I'd changed my mind.
In Paris: I agree with Claudia. the guided tour is a bus tour and you can use your time more wisely. Maris is great. You can find out about the afternoon museum once you get there and adjust your afternoon as need be. If lunch is back on the ship, you will be in close proximity to the Eiffel Tower area. Tickets will need to be purchased in advanced, but a time late afternoon or evening would work even if you do the Tauck offer excursion in the afternoon. If you have an interest, you can schedule dinner at the Eiffel Tower or elsewhere or even do an evening Siene cruise. If you are not interested in their museum choice, you can leave the tour in the Maris area and work your way back on your own.
Day 5: The Bayeax Tapestry will be returning to England from Sept 2026 to October of 2027. We have been to both on different tours, I would choose Entretat/Honfleur hands down. In addition, there is about 3 to 3.5 hours of total bus time to get to/from Caen.
I will be doing this tour also, but have been to Paris 10 times and know it well! Love walking around the Marais area and 9 hour bus trips and museums get to me, so lovely town was an easy pick for me.
Question that I do have about Tauck cruises, how do they divide up the folks for each group? We are traveling with a friend.
Sometimes the groups for excursions are broken up by departure times; you sign up in advance. Sometimes it is by alphabetical surnames, for example…A-I will go with tour director xxx. Sometimes it is broken up by pace, faster-paced versus more leisurely.
These are examples of how my river cruises have been. It seems to be at the discretion of the tour directors. Nonetheless, the logistics have always been smooth and seamless.
I agree about Marais. I always go there whenever in Paris. The falafels are delicious!
Kathrine, We did this tour in the fall and were traveling with our son and daughter-in-law. When it was time for an excursion, we were advised to leave the riverboat together and when boarding the buses, to let the guide assisting know we were traveling together. It seemed to work well.