Seine River Cruise- Part 3 (Normandy and Versailles)

On Tuesday, we did an all day tour of Normandy. Seth loves war history, and this was something high on his list. It is pretty fascinating to see where these important historical events took place. The information from our tour guide was amazing. He was full of knowledge. However, we wished we were more on our own schedule, as we would have liked to have spent more time and seen more. I guess we'll have to return another time! :) 

Arromanches

D-Day Museum

Inside a bunker

how the bunker looks from outside 

American cemetery- every soldier that died has their name on a cross with the hometown and state. It's massive and impactful. A couple on our trip had the name of the wife's great uncle. She was able to locate his cross and place a rose on it. 

They had a ceremony in which they honored veterans, played taps, and had a moment for prayer. 

Ocean view from American Cemetery

On Wednesday morning, we arrived in Les Andelys. We hiked up to Chateau Gaillard, built by Richard the Lionhart (Richard 1 of England) in 1197. After the chateau, we walked around this little town and then we were on the ship for the afternoon (it cast off at 3 pm). 

Seine River below us from the top of Les Andelys 

That night, the Wall Street Club had a little cocktail party/farewell dinner

On Thursday morning, we went to Versailles. I had been here before, but it's an amazing palace to see again and again!

 

Everything is so over the top elaborate!

Hall of Mirrors selfie (man, it was SO crowded!)

Original chandeliers

I love these little angel statues

The gardens went on for days and are immaculate

                                                    Bassin d'Apollon (Apollo Fountain)

Latona Fountain

                           That afternoon, we went to Malmaison Josephine Bonaparte

There are a lot of paintings of Napoleon. He seems like a strange little man!

Billiard room

Josephine

Aren't these some wacky chairs? I kind of like them though. 

After that tour, we had some shopping time in St. Germain en Laye. We just window shopped and I bought some clothes for the kids. I could stare at the butcheries all day long. How nice would it be to walk down the street and have this selection for dinner? 

Of course, Seth found a bakery and bought more eclairs. This dark picture is him enjoying it when we got back on the ship. 

FROG LEGS!

SNAILS! (escargot)

Dessert for days

Seth, me, Brenda, and Bobby on our very last night of the cruise 

We definitely ate well on this trip! Whew! The food was outstanding! On Friday morning, it was time to depart our amazing Viking ship and head out for the last portion of our vacation: LONDON! :)