Viking Cruises

"A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life." Thomas Jefferson's words still ring true today. There are of course many places to walk, or ride the city's Metro to any number of famous landmarks and attractions. Admire priceless works of art in the Louvre. Stop for a cup of coffee and a spot of people watching in the St. Germain District. Browse the eclectic shops in Les Marais. Ascend the Eiffel Tower for astonishing views of the city. Shop in style in one of the city's haute couture houses or vintage markets. Take a seat in the Arc de Triomphe, the centre of twelve radiating avenues. Climb Montmartre to the emblematic Sacré-Cœur and gaze over the picturesque rooftops. There is no end of things to see and do in the French capital. MUST-SEES: Les Jardin des Tuileries near the Louvre was once the most fashionable place in Paris to take a stroll, and is still a green oasis of elegance. Of course, the Louvre itself is a must. Once a palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV, it is now home to 70,000 works of art, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Equally impressive is the Musée d'Orsay housed in the spectacular railway station Gare d'Orsay, which holds the world's largest collection of impressionist and post- impressionist paintings. Art, literature, music and dance are the very heartbeat of Paris. Montmartre has for centuries been home to artists, and is a wonderful place to wander and maybe even have your portrait painted as a souvenir of your visit. Iconic architecture is on every boulevard—from the graceful bridges that cross the Seine to the industrial-style Pompidou Centre. The Opera Garnier is a stunning baroque palace that houses one of the city's oldest working theatres. And for something a little different, the Catacombs never fail to captivate, the underground tunnels store the exhumed bones of corpses that could no longer fit in the city's cemeteries. After that experience, you may feel like a drink. Bar Hemingway in the Hotel Ritz was the genteel haunt of the American writer, and is as welcoming today as it was then. SHOPPING: "Paris" and "shopping" are two words that go together. The city is famous for its style and fashion, from established designer fashion houses to independent boutiques and department stores, such as the Galeries Lafayette Hausmann, with its extraordinary stained-glass domed ceiling. When it comes to fashion, Paris spoils you for choice. If browsing books is your passion, head to Shakespeare & Company, founded in 1919 and a literary haven. Foodies can head to La Grande Epicerie in the famed Bon Marché department store, considered one of the best food shops in Paris. Antiques and other treasures can be found at Le Village Saint- Paul, a network of courtyards and passages briming with antique shops, design stores and art galleries, as well as a host of cafes and restaurants, in Le Marais district. EXPLORE PARIS THE VIKING WAY Viking offers a number of included and optional excursions in Paris. PANORAMIC PARIS See the major sights of the romantic "City of Light" with a knowledgeable local guide. FLAVOURS OF PARIS Enjoy a guided walk through a richly historic quarter steeped in culinary traditions. SCENIC PARIS & HIGHLIGHTS OF THE LOUVRE Discover the iconic sights of Paris and its renowned museum during a comprehensive full-day excursion. GETTING THERE: Our 15-day France's Finest voyage takes guests from Paris to Avignon or in reverse. Church of Auvers by Vincent van Gogh "ere is no end of things to see and do in the French capital." FRANCE Vernon Les Andelys Rouen Le Pecq Paris Omaha Beach Gold Beach Juno Beach Nice RHÔNE SEINE RHÔNE Tournon Viviers Lyon Vienne Avignon Arles Burgundy Normandy Provence Aix-en-Provence La Roche-Guyon Combine two France cruises for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. – C r ui s e •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• Train •• O ve r night in Po r t VIEW VOYAGE viking.com | 24 S P R I N G I S S U E 2 7

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