Wednesday 20220406 More Napoleon’s Chateau de Malmaison (11 photos)

Next is the music room with harp, pianoforte, etc. plus window views of two historical trees. Across the entrance hall is the dining room. Napoleon's council room has twin images of Josephine, one a painting and the other a needlepoint tapestry imitating the painting. The library boasts mahogany furniture and a celestial globe. We climb the stairs past a bust of Napoleon and peek into a tiny room dedicated to chamber pots.

Wednesday 20220406 Napoleon’s Chateau de Malmaison (14 photos)

This morning a view of shore, a view of cherry blossoms from the bus, and soon we arrive at Napoleon's Chateau de Malmaison, only a few miles west of Paris. All the mirrors and gold remind us of Versailles. Our guide explains that the chateau actually reflects mostly Empress Josephine, who insisted on its purchase in 1799 against Napoleon's concern about the exorbitant price. In addition to historical facts, the guide educates and entertains us with gossip and scandals about the couple. After the main entrance comes the billiard room, antechamber, and a receiving room with a family painting.

Tuesday 20220405 Dinner Dream Team (9 photos)

This evening Viking celebrates all the repeat cruisers (Viking Explorer Society) with a cocktail party on the Aquavit Terrace, and Jim finds a favorite. We have dinner with our Dream Team, eight of us who enjoy socializing together and now prepare to enter tonight's music game later at 9 in the lounge/bar. The emcee plays a few notes of a song, and on our score sheet we name it, the artist, and the decade. At one point, bonus points are offered for impersonating Elvis, and Jim volunteers to play air guitar and make some moves. Alas, not enough, and we total for second place to a team from New Jersey. In our room we find the Viking Daily for tomorrow and a six-page evaluation form we postpone.

Tuesday 20220405 More Town of Les Andelys (11 photos)

The town honors one of its impressionist painters with a colorful plaque. The white iris hints that spring weather will follow these cold and rainy days. After walking along the river, we turn toward the city center. A useful fountain stands next to the Church of Our Lady, which began construction in 12th century and added stained glass windows in 16th century. Legend claims that church builders drank from the fountain as they worked. Around the corner were shops and a park with a watercolor display of Chateau-Gaillard, the castle/fortress built the end of the 12th century and perched above the town.

Tuesday 20220405 Town of Les Andelys (10 photos)

After Normandy, the ship cruises up the Seine for its return to Paris. This time ducks welcome us, not swans. We pause at the small town of Les Anderlys where we walk with a guide, and a few others attempt to climb up to the castle ruins.