Essential Topics in Neurology: A Comprehensive Review and 2019 Update

Paris, France - For most, Le Havre is the gateway for a day-visit to Paris. Survey the city of lights from the Eiffel Tower or from a cruise of the Seine. And there is the food (oh, the food). Wander through the beautiful architecture of St. Germain or the Latin Quarter and find a bistro to settle into with a bottle of wine and experience the culinary delights that only the French seem able to offer. And, then there are the absolutely stunning museums (Musee du Louvre, Musee de l'Orangerie, Musee d'Orsay, and the Musee d'Art Moderne). Or, if shopping is for you, Paris has it: from souvenirs and t-shirts to high fashion, small antiques and fine art, you can find something that'll catch your eye. But, pace yourself; you're not going to get all this done in a day: pick your battles, whet your appetite and plan a return trip.

If the journey to Paris sounds like too much for you (about three and a half hours each way by auto, two and half by train), Le Havre itself is a beuatiful little French city where you can find great food, charming streets and beautiful architecture. It also has a nice not-too-big Museum of Modern Art with an excellent collection of France's many great expressionist painters.

Conflans - At the confluence of the Oise and the Seine rivers, Conflans is a treasure trove of beauty. The immediate area is home to Napolean & Josephone Bonaparte's Château Malmaison and served as the inspirational landscape for many masters of Impressionist painting: Cezanne, Pissarro, Daubigny and, of course, Van Gogh - who painted more than a canvass a day here, during his 70 day stay at the end of his life. You can visit his attic room at Auberge Ravoux or pay homage at his burial site. At the Bonapart's Château, you can see what they intended to be "the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe."

Rouen -  Rouen, often called the "Ville musée" (Museum Town). If you enjoy museums, visit one of the many art, history, and antiquities museums scattered through the city. Visit the cathedral that inspired Claude Monet and the modern Church of Joan of Arc with its magnificent 16th-century stained-glass windows. See the "Gros Horloge," the astronomical clock, and the Parliament of Normandy. Also in Rouen is the &apost;Place du Vieux Marché&apost;, the site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. This afternoon venture down the romantic "Abbey Trail" for a view of countless churches, castles, and abbeys.

Le Havre, France - Although the harbor of Le Havre was greatly destroyed in World War II, it was rebuilt and continues to be an important port city in Normandy. Explore the Normandy coastline with a walk along Ètretat’s cliff-top paths for a view of steep chalk rocks with impressive needle-like formations, which have inspired many well-known artists. Nearby, is the city of Honfleur, where the Seine meets the Atlantic. This harbor town is regarded as a jewel on the Côte Fleurie and is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Les Andelys - Today, your vessel anchors in the little town of Les Andelys in the shadow of Chateau Gaillard, the one time home to Richard the Lionheart. Relax in town or venture farther afield to nearby Giverny, home to Impressionist Claude Monet, until his death in 1926. The beautiful surroundings and vivid flora, were inspiration for some of his most famous works. Return to the ship in Vernon for lunch. Round out your Normandy experience with a visit to the spectacular Palace of Versailles. Originally a small hunting lodge, the palace was extended to its current size by the "Sun King" Louis XIV and is now one of Europe's largest palaces. Onboard, the Captain's Gala Dinner is a wonderful finish to a fantastic day.
Stay Les Andelys :  8am - 9am
Stay Vernon:  11.30am - 13.30pm
Excursions
 Excursion to Giverny & Monet's House and Garden with picture stop at Château Gaillard :

Step into the past with a short drive to the white stone remains of the English king’s stronghold: Château Gaillard. It was built at the end of the 12th century on a limestone promontory, overlooking the Seine. You’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the river and surrounding countryside. Completed in one year, Richard Lionheart exclaimed: “How beautiful she is, my one-year-old daughter. What a gaillard (well-fortified) castle.” Behind these walls, Blanche and Marguerite, the adulterous daughters-in-law of Philippe le Bel, king of France, atoned for their sins.

After a short picture stop you continue to Giverny, a village nestled in the heart of the Vexin, and a source of inspiration for one of the foremost Impressionist painters. When Claude Monet glanced out of the window of his train and caught sight of the village of Giverny, he decided then and there that this was where he wanted to live and work. And so he did, from 1883 until his death in 1926. The beautiful surroundings, vividly colored flora and gentle atmosphere of the place became one of the biggest sources of inspiration for his work. Enter the intimate world of this great epicurean. Your guide will share stories of the affection Clemenceau had for his friend, the exchanges and verbal jousts with contemporaries Berthe Morisot, Marie Cassatt and Paul Cézanne. Tour the blue living room, the studio living room, the dining room and kitchen – rooms which reflect the personality of Monet.

Duration: approx. 4 hours

Walking grade: II: The excursion by bus is followed by a moderate walking tour. You may need to climb some stairs.

Excursions
 Excursion to Château de Malmaison: 

West of Paris, surrounded by a beautiful green setting, the Château de Malmaison invites you into the intimate life of Josephine de Beauharnais, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. The “small” mansion that Josephine purchased in 1797 was just a run-down estate in desperate need of care and devotion when she set her eyes on it while her husband Napoleon was off fighting in Egypt. And that is precisely what Josephine brought to the property, transforming it into a “source of riches for all of France”. Napoleon Bonaparte took there many major decisions for France from 1800 to 1802. Josephine continued to live in the Château of Malmaison even after her divorce and did not cease to develop it until her death, turning the rooms and park into a real gem of the First Empire period.

Your Guide will lead you in the discovery of their daily life during the consulate and First Empire. Discover the music room and the council room shaped like a military tent where receptions, dances and country-style games took place. You will also visit Josephine’s bedroom where she died in 1814, passing through the Marengo room and its weapons that belonged to Napoleon.

Enjoy some free time in Josephine’s cherished gardens. She cultivated a nostalgia for the luxurious island of her childhood. Upon her arrival at the Château de Malmaison, she wanted to replicate the landscape of her native land Martinique with its rich flowers and birds. She called upon Europe’s best gardeners and soon bundles of flowers arrived from all over the continent. Daffodils, hyacinths, camellias and tulips still flourish in her garden. The property achieved enduring fame for its rose garden, where Josephine grew all varieties of roses known at the time.

Duration: approx. 4.5 hours

Walking grade: II: The excursion by bus is followed by a moderate walking tour. You may need to climb some stairs.
 

Paris, France - In the early morning, it is once more "Bienvenue" to the French capital. Explore the sights of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the bustling Champs-Élysées. Another interesting area to explore is quirky artists'district of Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur, located on the highest hill in northern Paris. On your last evening, enjoy an illuminated Paris from the ship or the streets, where you can fully see the "City of Lights" in all her glory.