Paris to Normandy Day 9 10/14/16 - Les Andelys

We arrived in Les Andelys after lunch today.  This is a garrison town of half-timbered houses and narrow lanes and high above this town looms the ruins of the mighty fortress of Chateau Gaillard.  As legend has it, the castle was skillfully designed in 1196 by Richard I, King of England and fuedal duke of Normandy.  Determined to block King Philip Augustus of France from getting to Rouen via the Seine, Richard spent a huge sum of money getting the castle built to the highest specifications in less than 2 years.  

There was a walking tour to the ruins and it was a very steep climb.  Off the boat we go and up the hill we start the climb.....halfway up Freida and I made the decision to turn around and retreat!!!  We found a bench at the bottom of the hill to wait for our group. 

First hill conquered!

After the 2nd climb Michael took the camera to the top and got the following photos from the top!

A very relaxing wait while we people watched and enjoyed chatting.  Ofter our group came down we walked with them all to Saint Saviour’s church is a small picturesque gothic church in the shape of a Greek cross.  It houses a world famous organ from the 17^th century!

After visiting the church we strolled around the town a bit! Look at the cottage hidden in the trees!

Michael got to see how the frenchmen fish! 

This is how river boats dock at port side by side then they use each others boats to get on and off!  This time we were fortunate to be the closest to port and not have to go up and over and down! 

Back to the we went to relax and wait for our farewell dinner.  They did it last night because today we have 2 tours and it will be about 7 pm before we get back to the boat!  

au revoir pour le moment! 

Paris to Normandy Day 8 - 10/13/16 - WW II Landing Beaches

Hello from Les Andelys! We had a wonderful day yesterday.  It has taken hours to post the pictures to this post and still not all that I wanted to share.  But here is a recap of our day #8 for you to read.


 We had to get an early start so breakfast was at 6:45 so we were ready to leave the boat at 7:45 to board buses to the WW II landing beaches in Normandy.

Viking is so awesome in their service.  Even though we had breakfast they were waiting for us to disembark with water bottles and warm croissants to help make the 2 hour bus trip pass comfortably.

We drove by Juno beach the Canadians landing beach. It was the 2nd bloodiest battle after Omaha Beach. The next beach was Gold Beach the British landing beach.  Very moving to see both places.

Gold Beach

Then we went to the town of Arromanches, France where we watched a video showing how the allies work together to build the Mulberry Harbor  which are floating piers built in England and floated across the channel to the Normandy coast town of Arromanches.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWO5wpZGG14

After the film we did a little shopping and looking through museum then we had lunch at a local restaurant Viking style.

Then we were off to the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach!  When we departed the bus we were each given a rose to place on one of the 937 graves.  Michael and I chose to place our rose on different Virginia men who lost their lives here. They held a ceremony and honored the veterans on the Viking cruise.  We have a gentlemen traveling with us that is a 90 year old WW II Navy Veteran.  His daughter is traveling with him for his first ever visit to Normandy.  We aren't sure whether he fought here or not but non the less he is a WW II Vet so it was touching to have him here with us.

After the ceremony and honoring the Veterans we were allowed time to walk around or visit the museum.

Below is one of the pictures of all the veterans aboard our boat.

 Then we left and head to Omaha Beach itself.  Very windy and chilly but that didn't distract from the remarkable sacrifice these men and women made.

We boarded the buses (4 buses were used to transport us all today) for the 2 hour trip back to Rouen.

Dinner was spectacular as it is every night so far.

We have a more relaxing day today with departure from Rouen at 7:15 am to Les Andelys! We just arrived after lunchtime.  We are headed to see Chateau Gillard soon.

Stay tuned for more France adventures!

Paris to Normandy Day 7 - 10/12/16

Bonsoir!  We left Vernon this morning about 6 am to head to Rouen.  We had a leisurely morning after breakfast we all found places to watch as the boat sail down the Seine.

Then before lunch we went through the locks.  Susan and I chose to do it from our balconies and it was quite the experience.  I thought I was back in the tunnels in Israel for a while.  

After lunch the boat docked about 1:30 and we headed off the boat to do our 2-hour walking tour! Rouen has a perfectly restored medieval quarter.  

Notre Dame Rouen

Circa 744 AD, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese created Rouen. 

William the Conqueror died here in 1087.

Jeanne d Arc was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the Old Market Square in 1431.  Her mother had her vindicated about 25 years after her death. 

Rouen is rich in history and it was decimated several times by during the Middle Ages by fire and plaque, and later World War II when the streets of the south of the cathedral were laid to wasted.  In the last 60 years, the city has been lavishly restored to reflect its former glory.

After the tour we found a chocolate shop and of course we had to have some!

 Then back to the boat and we met up in the lounge to visit about our day and to wait for Michael Bright our Program director to find out about tomorrows excursion to Normandy!

Sorry there aren't more pictures but wifi is really slow! Have a great day and we are off to sleep since we have an early and long day tomorrow! 

Paris to Normandy Day 6 - 10/11/16

Bonjour! I realized today that I named this adventure incorrectly!  We are no longer in Paris we left last night and we arrived in Vernon this morning at 6 am.  Wifi is not as fast so can't get as many pictures to load up.  Hope these few will give you a perspective of our trip.  I will keep trying each day!

We woke up to a foggy morning and after a wonderful breakfast we got ourselves ready to leave the boat for our excursion to visit the Monet Foundation in Giverny where the artist, Monet's, house and the famous Japanese Gardens that he painted so often are locate.

Michael found a kiwi not sure if you can tell.

 Monet's Lily Pond that he painted over 300 times

Monet's Kitchen! Check out all the copper!!!

After our tour we returned to the ship to enjoy a Taste of Normandy - a buffet-style selection of specialties from Normandy along with entertainment from Stefano on the accordion.



After a brief rest we headed back out to take a walking tour of Vernon!

The Castle Keep of the Medieval times! 

 Notre Dame Vernon!

Then we enjoyed some hot chocolate at a nice outdoor cafe enjoying the beautiful afternoon.  Then we visited Notre Dame Vernon!

Freida, Grace, Susan and I headed back to the boat while the others took a walk over the bridge for more pictures!

Dinner was spectacular! But I can't get the pictures to load. Promise once I can or when we get home to share more!

 Passez un merveilleux mercredi