Author: thoroughlymystical481be90c29

(September 12, 2025 – Libourne/St. Emilion)

It was All Aboard time at 7:45 that morning, since we were setting sail for our next stop – Libourne. Not having any morning excursions allowed for some free time for the first half of the day, so we could enjoy the early-day sights up the Garonne River and over to Libourne on the Dordogne River.

Once we were docked in Libourne, we hopped on the motor coach and drove to St. Emilion. What a beautiful town – I’m already trying to figure out when I can get back there!

St. Emilion was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Known for its narrow and steep streets, this medieval city has a tall bell tower above an underground monolithic church in the middle of town.

We began our afternoon in St. Emilion with a walking tour through town that started at a Romanesque perimeter wall that was built in the 13th century.

We walked into town and arrived at the Saint-Émilion Collegial Catholic Church and its cloisters. Construction began in 1110, and it was used as a monastery between the 12th and 18th centuries.

From there, we were fortunate enough to be able to take part in a tour of the monuments in St. Emilion. This area is not open to the public unless you are on a private tour with a licensed tour guide. Now for the unfortunate part: since the monuments are privately owned by families in the region, no photography was allowed, however , here are a few pictures I grabbed online.

I highly recommend you take a tour to view the monuments, if you’re ever in the area. It was truly amazing!

Following our tour of the St. Emilion monuments, we had a little time to wander through the streets and take in the sights.

So, no trip to the St. Emilion area would be complete without doing some wine tasting!

To end our day we went to a Grand Cru Wine Classé wine tasting at Château de Ferrand. The history of the winery spans over 300 years being passed down through the Bétoulaud family. However, in 1977, it was purchased by Marcel Bich – founder of the BIC pen company. (You’ll notice the BIC pens and caps in some of the pictures!)

Château de Ferrand’s grape varieties are 70% merlot, 29% cabernet franc and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Now, to enjoy the wines!

It was a perfect day discovering a new (and delicious) wine region! Cheers until the next blog entry!

(September 11, 2025 – Bordeaux)

Our adventure continued with a goodbye to our home for the week aboard the Amalyra and a hello to our home for the next week aboard the Amadolce. The two ships were exactly alike aside from the lounge decorations and crews.

To get from the Amalyra in Paris to the Amadolce in Bordeaux, we rode the bullet train that only took about two hours.

Since we weren’t setting sail until the next morning, Pops, Tomi, and I decided to explore a little bit of Bordeaux before dinner that evening. We set off on foot to go see a fountain and monument my Mom and Pops had seen in Bordeaux during a prior visit in 2023.

Before reaching the monument itself, we walked through the Places des Quincones which is one of the largest city squares in Europe. Trees were planted on each side of the square in 1818. The sound of the wind blowing through the trees was beautiful.

On the front end of the square was a ferris wheel that we later found out was only temporary, since it was being dismantled when we drove past it later in the week.

After passing the ferris wheel, we walked through the pebbles of the square before arriving at the fountain we had gone in search of.

The fountain known as Monument aux Girondins was built between 1894 and 1902 to commemorate the Girondists, a political faction of the French Revolution who were executed in 1793 during the Reign of Terror. The fountain includes the Angel of Liberty at the very top of the monument, along with bronze sculptures of horses, cherubs, and figures surging forward to symbolize the energy of revolution and the spirit of freedom.

After visiting the fountain, we decided to take a coffee/wine break. Again, you get to guess who had what!

After our drink stop at a nearby cafe, we set off again to explore. Cities in Europe are so interesting to walk through. The views provided on foot are always so much better than when you drive.

We wandered in to a beautiful church that was built between 1874-1880 known as Saint Louis des Chartrons.

When we made it back to the boat, we had already decided we wanted to eat dinner that evening at a place my Mom and Pops had eaten at during their 2023 visit to Bordeaux. Pops had remembered this place because of the profiteroles they had eaten there, so we, of course, were happy to oblige and try it out.

But first: I wanted to include a few pictures of my Mom and Pops (and evidence of how much they enjoyed the profiteroles) when they ate at La Brasserie Bordelaise!

Now for pictures from our visit:

We finished with the profiteroles to make sure they were as good as he had remembered them being…….and they certainly were!

After dinner, we walked around the town center known as the Saint-Pierre district before heading back to the boat for the night.

One last view of Bordeaux at night, since we were setting sail on the Dordogne River in the morning for Libourne.

(September 10, 2025 – Paris)

Our last full day and night we spent docked in Paris. For our morning excursions, we split up again: Pops, Tomi, and Bryan made chose the Artists’ Walk of Auvers-sur-Oise, while I made my way over to Château de Malmaison.

They rode the coach to Auvers-sur-Oise and then walked in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh where they visited the Maison Van Gogh and the burial church.

Meanwhile, I visited Château de Malmaison – the “love nest” of Napoleon and Josephine on the left bank of the Seine in Paris. She bought the run down manor house in April 1799 while Napoleon was away in Egypt and paid over 300,000 francs to do the extensive renovations. Along with the renovations to the château, Josephine also created the gardens and brought in several exotic animals and birds during that time. Following her divorce from Napoleon, she remained there until her death in 1814.

Once we all returned to the boat, it was time for our afternoon excursion. We boarded the coach and headed to the port of la Bourdonnais for a Paris city cruise. It was one hour of gorgeous views of the city that you can only experience from the river.

For our final night on the Amalyra, our captain took us on a night cruise for better views of the Eiffel Tower. Tomi came over to our room, and we enjoyed the sights. What a perfect ending to our first week before heading over to our next cruise on the Amadolce! Enjoy the sights of the Eiffel Tower!

(September 9, 2025 – Vernon & Claude Monet’s Home in Giverny)

Our morning was spent cruising to our next destination – Vernon with a much anticipated visit to Claude Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny.

However, before arriving there, the Seine has several locks along the river to allow for the many different water levels. It was amazing to watch Captain Alex maneuver through them. The boat was so close to the walls of the locks – you could literally reach out and touch them as we slowly passed through.

Now, back to Vernon and Giverny. I visited Giverny back in 1993 during a college graduation trip with my Mom, and I remember how beautiful the water lilies and gardens were. Let me just say: it is still just as SPECTACULAR! Be prepared for some flower overload pictures. Everywhere we looked, the flowers were lovely! If you’re not into flowers, just keep scrolling, but I warn you: you’ll be missing out! 😂

The water lilies and pond deserved their own section of pictures below.

After touring the gardens and pond, we ventured into Monet’s home.

Once back on the ship, our cruise director announced we needed to set sail right away, due to the possibility of a strike which would make for some difficulties getting through the final locks before Paris. And so, off we went:

Our day was capped off with cocktails in the lounge and dinner with just the four of us as we sailed into Paris (making it safely through the final locks in time before the possible strike)!

(September 8, 2025 – Rouen)

Well, after a long hiatus of doing any blog posts, I’m back at it. I decided it was taking too much time trying to blog while enjoying our vacation and free time. Honestly, I don’t know how Mom did it!

Anyhow, we are finally back in the states, but not back home. More about that in a later blog I have yet to do! 😂

On to our next stop – Rouen! We arrived during the night, and after breakfast, Bryan, Pops, and I set off on the Tastes of Normandy walking tour in the city. It included two stops – one for charcuterie and one for chocolate…..two of our favorites.

The charcuterie stop was in a small hotel lobby and included an assortment of cheeses, meats, and cider.

Following the charcuterie stop, we visited a chocolate shop to watch their process for making chocolate, as well as an opportunity to sample their deliciousness!

Once the tour finished up, Pops and I checked out the Beaux Arts Museum and then headed back to the boat.

On our stroll back to the boat, we passed the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen.

For the afternoon excursion, Bryan and I headed out for a visit to Château de Bonnemare. The château was built in the 16th century, and it has been in the same family since 1888. Our group was treated to a tour by the owner and his son who still live at the château and have opened it up to the public as a Bread & Breakfast and wedding venue.

Following the afternoon tour, we enjoyed cocktail hour with Captain Alex, dinner with some new friends (Cheryl & Andy), and finished off the evening with a cabaret show in the lounge.

Next stop: Vernon and Monet’s Garden!

(September 7, 2025 – Normandy Landing Beaches)

After a night of sleep, we were up and off the boat early in Le Havre, since we had a very full day visiting the Normandy Landing Beaches. We had a little over two hour drive before arriving at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.

To say this was a sobering experience would be an understatement. It is similar to visiting Arlington National Cemetery, but when you consider it contains the graves of the 9,389 men who lost their lives during the D-Day landings and ensuing operations on the Normandy beaches in the area, it somehow feels different.

As you enter the cemetery, you walk along a path on the cliffs above the beach. After a short walk, there is an orientation table showing the various beach landings.

As you turn and walk away from the water, at the top of the path and stairs you arrive to the sight of the endless graves stretched out over the 172.5 acres of the cemetery.

Our tour was timed so we could attend a wreath laying at a memorial in a semicircular colonnade with a bronze statue called the Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves. The statue was titled as such, since those who died here were in their late teens to early twenties.

The ceremony consisted of four parts: the playing of the U.S. national anthem, laying of the wreath, playing of Taps, and then having a moment of silence. I’m not typically a very emotional person, but when Taps was played, tears were shed, as I had several different emotions and thoughts running through my mind.

Just outside the semicircular colonnade, there is an area known as the Walls of the Missing. This wall contains the names of the 1,557 men who are missing or never identified. Rosettes mark the names of those men who have since been recovered or identified.

The pictures above and the one below show the views of the water leading to and from the main part of the cemetery.

Walking around the cemetery provided a time to reflect and gave an even greater appreciation for the men who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

The pictures below are of the chapel and chapel ceiling located at the far end of the cemetery opposite the bronze statue and semicircular colonnade.

After our time at the cemetery, we visited Omaha Beach which was one of five beach landings on June 6, 1944 also known as D-Day. Over 34,000 Americans came ashore on Omaha Beach. That day, the Allies suffered over 10,300 total casualties, and approximately 2,400 of them were on Omaha Beach.

As a tribute to the Allies who came ashore that day, a sculpture named Les Braves was unveiled on the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

When we left Omaha Beach, we made our way to the German battery of Longues-sur-Mer. It is the only battery remaining in Normandy that still has its original guns. The Germans had a firing range up to nine miles using these guns, but the Allied forces prevailed, and the battery was captured on June 7th.

For our last stop of the day, we visited Arromanches-les-Bains. It was here where a Mulberry Harbor was installed. This artificial port allowed the Allies to disembark 9,000 tons of material per day. Here are some images of what still remains.

During our stop in Arromanches-les-Bains, Pops wanted to sample their crepes, and I opted for a beer before wandering around the streets for a little bit.

When we returned to the boat, it was time for dinner and some beautiful views of the night sky.

Off to our next stop: Rouen. Stay tuned…….

(Les Andelys, Honfleur, and La Havre)

After cruising through the night, we began our first full day by docking in Les Andelys: a small commune made up of two parts – Grand Andely and Petit Aldely.

What a sight it was to open the curtains and outer door to let in some sunlight and be greeted by a fabulous view of Chateau Gaillard and the surrounding white cliffs!

Following breakfast, we set off for our first excursion of the trip with a visit to the ruins of Chateau Gaillard. Unfortunately, we had opted for the “gentle” tour which included a ride up and down the hill, but only provided VIEWS of the ruins instead of exploration of the ruins. The walk up would have been tough, but we probably could have all handled the walk down. Needless to say, Tomi and I don’t plan to do any more “gentle” tours.

Chateau Gallaird was built by Richard the Lionheart in 1198 high above the river Seine.

Following our ride back down the hill, we stopped in at St. Savior Church of Petit-Andely. The church was built within four years and completed in 1202. After a quick look around, we returned to the boat for the afternoon as we set sail for our next destination.

During our afternoon sails, we passed several locks along the river and then enjoyed dinner in the main restaurant.

However, Pops wasn’t ready to turn in for the night. Instead, he wanted to take advantage of Disco Night in the lounge. I didn’t realize he had packed his dancing shoes on this trip, but I was happy to oblige!

We arrived in Le Havre during the night at some point. When we awakened, I opened the curtains to see we were tied off to another river boat – certainly not the best of views from our room, but not to worry, since we knew the best views were outside of our room.

Our first tour in La Havre took us by bus about 15 miles outside of the city to the quaint town of Honfleur. It is an old harbor town where the Seine meets the English Channel. Several Impressionist artists (including Monet) have used Honfleur as a backdrop for some of their works of art. It has homes throughout the village dating anywhere from the 16th to 18th centuries.

We were lucky enough to be in Honfleur on a Saturday when they have an outdoor market lining the little streets. So many sights!

We finished our time in Honfleur at a cafe with a stop for a beer and a coffee. I’ll let you try to guess who had what!

After returning to the boat for lunch, we were ready to head out for our afternoon excursion: a city tour of La Havre. We boarded the busses, and they drove us all around the city. Being a major port city, La Havre was heavily bombed during World War II, and 80% of it was destroyed. Due to scarcity of materials, concrete was used to build most of the new buildings. In 2005, UNESCO inscribed the central city as a World Heritage Site because of its unique post-WWII reconstruction and architecture.

Being located on the entrance to the English Channel, cargo container ships are able to carry up to 24,000 containers and unload them at the port using highly sophisticated cranes. La Havre is now the second largest port in France.

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of Le Havre, Vincent Ganivet constructed this sculpture. It consists of two arches: one arch with 15 containers and the second arch with 21 containers.

The original St. Joseph’s Church was destroyed during WWII, so a new church was built in its place following the war. Completed in 1958, it had a much more modern feel compared to what it once was.

Once we returned from our afternoon excursion, we had a few minutes to freshen up before cocktails and dinner. We called it a night, since our next day was a full day to the Normandy U.S. Landing Beaches. Stay tuned……