A Portrait of Majestic France

A Portrait of Majestic France

Selected departures dates available in 2024 and 2025

Pricing based on departure date 13 July 2025

The quintessential voyage for gourmets, oenophiles and lovers of all things French.

Travel from beautiful Bordeaux and delight in the countryside of southwest France. Explore Roman Saint-Émilion, with its astonishing Monolithic Church, and ancient Blaye, with its famous citadel. Journey through a land of noble wines, tasting the flavors of the regions as you go.

Sail the Seine from Normandy, discovering the gems of the region. Marvel at magnificent Rouen Cathedral, tour the former smugglers’ harbor in Honfleur and follow in the footsteps of Monet at his beloved Giverny. And, of course, your majestic France experience ends with an exploration of the romance and magnificence of Paris.

Enjoy the best France has to offer with Uniworld’s plethora of private excursions (including a private wine tasting of famous Médoc and Sauternes wines and an extraordinary evening tour of Bordeaux) as you cruise four rivers, visit bustling cities and charming towns and sample myriad culinary delights.

Itinerary Highlights 

Arrive at Bordeaux-Mérignac International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

The French phrase “la douceur de vivre” is an accurate description for your time in Cadillac, known for its deliciously flavored dessert wines. Visit Château Royal de Cazeneuve, site of Henry IV’s and Queen Margot’s tempestuous love.

The legendary Médoc region abounds with prestigious wine châteaux in a dizzying array of architectural styles, as well as miles of grapevines stretching to infinity.

The Route de la Corniche Fleurie…could this be the most beautiful road you’ve ever traveled? Find out today on the drive to Blaye Fortress, passing through one impossibly picturesque hamlet after another.

With Libourne as your base, travel to nearby breathtaking Saint-Émilion and immerse yourself more deeply in the region’s history and wine culture.

Discover Bordeaux’s many charms today, either on foot with a local expert or on two wheels—the locals’ preferred way to navigate the city’s charming backstreets. You have a wonderful selection of active opportunities to see this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the morning, choose between a scenic hike or a visit to the hilltop Château de La Roche-Guyon, which is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers sweeping views over the Seine. Later, explore the beautiful gardens of Monet.

From the cathedral Monet painted dozens of times to the cross marking the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen is a treasure trove for the culturally curious

Caudebec-en-Caux, a lovely little town on the right bank of the Seine Estuary, is your base for one of two very different excursions. You could drive through the beautiful Calvados countryside to Honfleur, a delightful seaside harbor and city of painters, or head to the windy cliffs of Étretat for a game of golf.

Normandy beaches certainly have that effect. On your full-day outing, you’ll visit Normandy’s beaches, including Utah Beach and Ste-Mère-Église, with a choice to venture to either the American, British and Commonwealth, or Canadian beaches.

How did France’s rulers live over the centuries? Step into the private rooms of the Palace of Versailles, the lavish palace built by the Sun King, to find out.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the “City of Light” or you’ve been here many times before, there’s something for everyone today in Paris.

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home.

Who will enjoy this cruise

• Gourmets, oenophiles and lovers of life’s finer things will savor this quintessential French voyage.
• A Portrait of Majestic France is a combination of Brilliant Bordeaux and Paris & Normandy.

DINING

•  All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
• 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 14 dinners
• 2 Captain's Welcome and 2 Captain's Farewell Receptions
• 2 Welcome and 2 Farewell Gala Dinners
• Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water

EXCURSIONS

• 12 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
• Guided “Let's Go,” “Do as the Locals Do” and “Village Day” programs
• State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
• Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks
• S.S. Joie de Vivre: Grand Suite

ACCOMMODATIONS 

• 14-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the magical S.S. Joie de Vivre and the breathtaking S.S. Bon Voyage
• Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
• Free Internet and Wi-Fi access

EXPERIENCES

• 1 country: France
• 6 UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
• Captivating onboard local entertainment
•  Exclusive Connoisseur Collection Program on select departures
• First class TGV train between Bordeaux and Paris
• All transfers on arrival and departure days
• Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour

S.S. BON VOYAGE

We are excited to welcome one of our newest Super Ships to the rivers of Bordeaux—the S.S. Bon Voyage— designed to immerse guests in French culture, art, and wine, from its stunning lobby clad in polished wood, subtle brass details and hand-crafted balustrade, to the stylish emerald tones found in bar Le Salon Champagne, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s personal abode, Villa Majorelle.

S.S. JOIE DE VIVRE

S.S. Joie de Vivre brings the “joy of living” to the rivers of France. Step aboard your floating pied-à-terre in France, featuring handcrafted furniture and fine antiques, original artwork, and signature accents inspired by 20th-century Parisian design from the Golden Twenties to the free-spirited Sixties, all blending seamlessly with modern conveniences.

Bordeaux, Cadillac, Cussac Fort, Blaye, Libourne, Bordeaux, La Roche-Guyon, Rouen, Caudebec-en-caux, Normady Beaches, Versailles, Paris

All fares are displayed in Australian / New Zealand Dollars and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.