Prepare to be enchanted by the charm of France as Viking encourages travelers to set off on a memorable expedition in 2025. Through their Summer of France initiative, Viking presents a plethora of ideas for organizing your ideal river or sea journey, ensuring an in-depth exploration of France’s vibrant culture, history, and exquisite cuisine. From exclusive privileges along the Seine River in the heart of Paris to exceptional encounters in Bordeaux and the French Riviera, Viking’s distinct offerings guarantee a truly exceptional voyage. Catch Viking’s captivating commercials on NBC during the Paris Games and start designing your adventure today!
“Summer of France” (Viking.com/France) campaign, designed to inspire adventurous travelers to plan their French river or ocean escapade in 2025. Pictured here, a Viking Longships on the Seine River at the company’s exclusive dock in Paris.
“France has always captivated our guests. With ancient towns, renowned gastronomy and landscapes that have inspired artists for ages, France is an incredible destination to explore with Viking,” stated Torstein Hagen, Head and Chief Executive Officer of Viking. “As the world focuses on France for the Paris Games, we are delighted to showcase the myriad ways to discover France and are excited to introduce more curious travelers to this country in the years ahead.”
Viking’s Summer of France
Viking’s Summer of France (Viking.com/France) portal serves as a fresh, specialized platform for travel inspiration, encompassing educational videos and articles showcasing the prime attractions across the country, recipes for recreating French cuisine at home, a handpicked selection of itineraries centered on France, and more. Furthermore, the Summer of France portal introduces a new contest for residents of North America, providing an opportunity to win a two-person, 15-day journey on the firm’s France’s Finest expedition in 2025.
Viking’s maritime and oceanic journeys encompass various ports across France, including Paris, Avignon, Marseille, Lyon, Strasbourg, and many others. Optional pre and post excursion land extensions offer chances to explore additional locales in France. Notable elements of the company’s offerings incorporate:
River Expeditions:
Paris & the Heart of Normandy (8 days; Paris roundtrip) – Arrive in the center of Paris, gazing at the Eiffel Tower and a duplicate of the Statue of Liberty from your vessel. Experience history firsthand at the Normandy beaches and relish in Rouen’s Gothic architecture. Explore Giverny and the quaint abode and gardens where Claude Monet resided and worked, the locale that inspired many of his renowned works. This expedition commemorates history, art, cuisine, and traditions in France’s most captivating urban and rural settings.
Castles, Waterways & Vino (8-day journey; Bordeaux roundtrip) – Embark on an adventure through the docks, vineyards, fields, and woods of Aquitaine, once known as Europe’s wealthiest realm. Witness the fountains and basements of Bordeaux. Engage in truffle hunting in Périgord and craft your own unique blend of Cognac at the Camus distillery. Indulge in France’s premium oysters straight from the bay in Arcachon. Taste Saint-Émilion, Médoc, and Sauternes at their distinctive growing locations on an 8-day excursion through Bordeaux—a district recognized for its exceptional wine and elegant lifestyle.
Lyon & Provence (8-day voyage; Lyon—Avignon) – Channel your inner artist at an Arles painting workshop. Uncover Roman Provence at Les Arènes d’Arles and the Pont du Gard. Explore Avignon’s grand Palace of the Popes, the world’s most extensive Gothic palace. Excite your taste buds in Lyon, the epicenter of French gastronomy. Enjoy regional wines, participate in truffle searches, and witness the production of chèvre cheese. Experience the beauty that inspired masters like Cézanne and Chagall on this eight-day trip along the Rhône.
Rhine Escape (8-day adventure; Basel – Amsterdam) – Immerse yourself in one of Europe’s adored rivers. Delve into the turreted fortresses, majestic cathedrals, historical towns, medieval villages, and breathtaking vistas of the Middle Rhine—an esteemed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sample the renowned white wines of the region, with the roots of its terraced vineyards tracing back to ancient Roman eras. Relish in the diverse culinary customs of Alsace. Featuring stops in Amsterdam, Cologne, and Basel, this escapade unveils a lush landscape of magnificence and heritage.
Paris to the Swiss Slopes (12-day tour; Paris – Zurich) – Honor the fallen at the Luxembourg American Cemetery. Discover the Roman heritage of Trier. Taste the luscious Moselle Rieslings and visit the viticultural haven of Bernkastel-Kues. Indulge in a scenic voyage past Sankt Goar, home to the Lorelei Rock, and through the UNESCO-designated Rhine Gorge. Explore intriguing destinations like Worms and the academic center of Heidelberg. Bounded by vineyard-covered hillsides and historic metropolises, with luxury stays in Paris and Zürich, this 12-day expedition is irresistible.
The Best of France (15-day expedition; Paris – Avignon) – Investigate Avignon’s Palace of the Popes and relish in Lyon’s gastronomic legacy. Raise a glass to age-old vineyards and revel in the elegance of Paris. Traverse the paths once walked by Joan of Arc in Rouen. Reflect upon the sacrifices made on Normandy’s WWII beaches. Art, cuisine, fashion, and the French art of living—this 15-day journey, merging Viking’s Lyon & Provence and Paris & the Heart of Normandy cruises, celebrates everything elegant and charming.
Sea Excursions
NEW! Malta,Morocco & the Mediterranean(16-day cruise starting and ending in Barcelona, with stops in Corsica and Marseille, France) – Embark on a voyage following the ancient sea routes from Barcelona. Explore the picturesque Marseille and charming Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. Discover the UNESCO city of Valletta and immerse yourself in the historic cities of Algiers, Tunis, and Casablanca in North Africa. Stroll through the Andalucian gems in Seville, renowned for its rhythmic flamenco, and marvel at the majestic Alhambra palace in Granada.
Iconic Western Mediterranean (8-day journey from Barcelona to Rome, stopping in Sète and Marseille, France) – Delve into the art, architecture, and history of Catalonia and Tuscany during overnight stays in Barcelona and Tuscany. Explore historic Montpellier and scenic Marseille in the South of France, and visit the glamorous city of Monte Carlo in Monaco.
Mediterranean Antiquities (15-day voyage from Athens to Barcelona, with stops in Sète and Marseille, France) – Experience a magnificent 15-day journey from Athens to Barcelona, visiting the ancient sites of Greece and Rome, the elegance of Monte Carlo, and the rich history of Marseille. Overnight stays in Athens, Florence, and Barcelona allow for deep cultural immersion.
Trade Routes of the Middle Ages (15-day journey from Bergen to Barcelona, with a stop in Le Havre, France) – Explore the medieval trade routes during this captivating 15-day cruise with enriching overnight stays in Bergen and Barcelona. Visit Amsterdam, Bruges, and Paris, and admire the neoclassical wonders of Porto. Discover Málaga, the gateway to Granada’s Alhambra palace, and witness the remarkable Roman ruins of Cartagena.
Pre & Post Land Extensions
Aix-En-Provence – Explore the enchanting Provence, known for its picturesque landscapes that have inspired artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne. Discover the charm of Aix-en-Provence, indulge in its beauty, history, and savor the renowned gastronomy and wine culture of this region.
Burgundy’s Vineyards – Dive into the glory of Dijon and explore the world-famous wine country of Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the impressive Ducal Palace, the Gustave Eiffel-designed local market, and the beautiful Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune.
Loire Valley – Extend your journey with three days in France, discovering the charming châteaux of the Loire Valley with guided tours of the region’s most stunning cities, estates, and cathedrals including Orléans and Chartres Cathedral, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Paris – Indulge in three extra nights in Paris and explore more of the city. Take a leisurely stroll through Montmartre, shop along the Champs-Élysées, ascend to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and savor the delectable French cuisine.
Booking Details
Until July 31, 2024, Viking is providing North American travelers with FREE international airfare and exclusive fares—with a $25 deposit—on all-inclusive river and ocean voyages, including France itineraries. For more details on Viking’s Summer of France, visit Viking.com/France, call Viking toll-free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464), or consult a travel advisor for further information.