Itineraries

Ambassador Cruises Unveils 2028 Season It itineraries

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No fewer than 20 new cruises departing from Dunkirk and Marseille!

Renaissance en escale dans les îles Féroé © Andy Humbert

PONANT


With its new 2028 schedule, Ambassador Cruises continues to expand its travel offerings departing from Dunkirk and Marseille, aboard Renaissance, a ship with an intimate ambiance accommodating only 1,198 guests. From the fjords of Norway to the Greek islands and the historically rich cities of the Mediterranean, this new program of 20 cruises broadens travel possibilities, with a throughline: departures from French ports. Beginning in spring, Renaissance will return to the port of Dunkirk to explore Northern Europe, and Marseille to cruise the Mediterranean. Francophone passengers will again enjoy aboard Renaissance its unique ambiance, its traditional décor, its convivial atmosphere and the quality of the gastronomy and the crew’s service.


Ireland returns in force and new ports enrich the 2028 season

Among the highlights of the 2028 season, Ireland makes a major comeback with the cruise Ireland and British Coasts, from July 16 to July 24, 2028. Departing from Dunkirk, Renaissance will head toward Cobh, gateway to Cork, then Dún Laoghaire, the port of Dublin, before continuing to Liverpool and the Isles of Scilly, for an itinerary between legends and wild landscapes. The 2028 lineup also brings its share of novelties with the return of Oslo, on the itineraries of the April 10 and September 3 cruises, while Naxos and Kos will be offered for the first time from Marseille, on the May 15 cruise. In the Adriatic, Trieste and Šibenik will also join the season’s itineraries, with a stop on the June 18 cruise. Finally, Portimão will enter the program during the repositioning cruise linking Marseille to Dunkerque on July 5, offering a new opportunity to discover the Algarve and its vertiginous landscapes.


Big novelty for 2028: A cruise to Egypt and traces of the great ancient civilizations

With the cruise Egypt and Ancient Civilizations, Ambassador Cruises offers from Marseille a true journey through the history of the Mediterranean, meeting the great civilizations that shaped its heritage. From Malta to Greece, passing by Egypt and Turkey, each port of call opens the doors to a new chapter of history, between ancient ruins, historic cities and Mediterranean landscapes.

The journey begins in Valletta, whose imposing fortifications and Baroque buildings attest to Malta’s rich past. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the capital offers an initial immersion into this Mediterranean where cultures crossed for centuries. Then, two days in Alexandria allow time to discover the second-largest city of Egypt and its fascinating heritage, but also to visit one of the most emblematic monuments of humanity: the pyramids of Giza, on an excursion to Cairo. Facing the Sphinx and the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, the power of ancient Egypt is unveiled.

The cruise then continues toward Turkey, with a stop at Kuşadası, gateway to the spectacular archaeological site of Ephesus. Among the best-preserved remnants of Antiquity, its monumental streets, the Library of Celsus and its Grand Theatre recount the grandeur of one of the most important cities of the ancient world. In Crete, Agios Nikolaos offers a port of call between Mediterranean douceur and ancient heritage. Around the famous Voulismeni Lake, the town reveals a warm atmosphere, while history enthusiasts can embark on a discovery of Lato, one of the major Doric city-states on the island. Built between two hills, the ancient city notably preserves its agora, its theatre, its temples and the vestiges of public buildings, offering a remarkable testimony to the history of Crete.

The last leg of this historical journey, Sicily offers a choice between heritage and volcanic landscapes. From Messina, it will be possible to reach Taormina, perched above the Ionian Sea and famous for its ancient theatre, or to explore Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano. A final port of call that closes this traverse of the Mediterranean civilizations.


Ambassador Cruises’ Must-See Itineraries Still on the Program

In 2028, the flagship itineraries that define Ambassador Cruises are on the calendar. Departing from Dunkirk, Norway is explored in all its facets, with summer departures to admire its fjords bathed in the midnight sun, but also in autumn, when the aurora borealis season opens again, with the cruise “Arctic Lights” departing from Dunkirk on October 4, 2028. Iceland and the Faroe Islands are also on the agenda on a 12-day cruise departing August 22, 2028. Earlier, in April 2028, the Baltic Sea will be highlighted on a 10-night cruise. Departing from Marseille, the Greek Islands reveal their laid-back lifestyle, their ancient sites and their dream beaches on a 13-night cruise in May. From June 18 to July 1, Renaissance returns for an in-depth discovery of the Adriatic, with the must-sees Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu and Argostoli, as well as the gems Šibenik, Trieste and Saranda.


A new TV spot to be unveiled starting October 11!

Since October 11, Ambassador Cruises has strengthened its visibility with a broad television advertising campaign. Over several weeks, the company’s new 20-second spot will be aired, mixing broadcast channels and TNT, with broadcasts notably on TF1 and France 2. The campaign will also continue from October 23 with two new waves of broadcasts. To accompany this presence on the small screen, Ambassador Cruises will also be visible on streaming platforms and on connected TVs via an Ad Pause setup on TF1+.


Easia Travel in Japan: First Look and New Kyushu Itineraries

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© Easia Travel

PONANT


Six months after the launch in Japan, what is your initial assessment?

Emma Alliot : « The assessment is positive. We are glad to see our Tokyo team expanding and to record our first bookings, both for bespoke individual trips and for groups and for series departures.

These first months have also been a period of learning and adaptation. Japan has its own codes and a way of working different from what we know on our other destinations. It teaches us patience: relationships with our local partners are built gradually, and we take the time to establish them on solid foundations. This is a crucial step in developing the destination. »



L’équipe Easia Travel en inspection au Japon en juin 2026 © Easia Travel


What have you learned from your first familiarisation trip and the expectations of the French market?

Emma Alliot : « This first familiarisation trip allowed us to revisit the classics with a fresh perspective. Japan is evolving, notably with the rise in international travelers. We must therefore continue to rethink certain itineraries, explore alternatives, and adapt our proposals.

On the French market, expectations are clear: our partners are seeking programs that can make a difference, while keeping prices as competitive as possible. Japan remains a relatively expensive destination. Our job is to craft offerings that stand out, without losing sight of travelers’ budgets. »


Découvrir le Japon autrement, entre randonnée et nature, avec Easia Active © Easia Travel


Active and premium travel: how will Easia Active and Easia Exclusive enrich your Japan offering?

Emma Alliot : « With Easia Active, we aim to offer more dynamic ways to discover the country. Beyond cycling tours, we want to develop hiking, boat trips, or experiences around martial arts, not limited to sumo. We are particularly targeting a younger audience seeking an active trip without necessarily identifying with the world of manga or pop culture. Nature, sport, and traditions provide other gateways into Japanese culture.

With Easia Exclusive, we are working on a more intimate discovery of the destination: characterful accommodations, private experiences, places that are difficult to access on your own. The idea is not simply to offer more luxury, but to create distinctive moments: a meeting with a craftsman, a special dining setting, a cultural discovery in a small group. The service mindset, the quality of hospitality, and the richness of Japanese know-how lend themselves particularly well to this approach. It is this notion of privileged access, combined with travel personalization, that we want to place at the heart of the offer. »


Découvrir le Japon de manière plus confidentielle, à travers des expériences privées et privilégiées avec Easia Exclusive © Easia Travel


You are preparing self-guided circuits in Japan. How do you balance autonomy with local support?

Emma Alliot : « Japan is already widely offered in self-guided formats. The cost of certain services, especially that of guides, is noticeably higher than in other Asian destinations. It is therefore natural to design trips that grant travelers more autonomy.

We are developing an application that will help them retrieve the steps of their itinerary and view the main points of interest around the places they visit.

But the application does not replace human support. The itinerary remains planned in advance by our teams, and travelers receive our assistance when needed. They thus retain the freedom to organize their days at their own pace, while staying guided. This is the balance we want to bring to independent travel in Japan. »


Découvrir Tokyo en toute autonomie avec les circuits autoguidés d’Easia Travel © Easia Travel


Do you want to enrich your Japan programming?



Easia Travel au Japon : premier bilan et nouveaux itinéraires à Kyushu
Alex Lodola

[email protected]

www.easia-travel.com

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Explora Journeys Unveils Its 2027–2028 Itineraries

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Explora Journeys présente deux nouvelles collections de voyages pour l'hiver 2027-2028 - Photo : Explora Journeys

CroisiEurope


Explora Journeys expands its cruise program for the 2027-2028 winter season with two new collections aboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA V.

These itineraries replace the voyages originally planned for the Middle East and the Red Sea. The announced program complements the itineraries already scheduled for EXPLORA II and EXPLORA IV in the Caribbean, as well as for EXPLORA III in Asia.

From December 2027 to March 2028, EXPLORA I will offer 10 trips across South America, with 37 destinations, including 20 new ports.

The ship will sail to Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, and Chile, with itineraries reaching Patagonia and Cape Horn.


Explora V for its inaugural winter season

Five port calls with overnight stays are planned, notably in Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn and Rio de Janeiro, as well as eight late departures allowing to extend shore visits.

Explora V will inaugurate its first winter season with 21 itineraries between December 2027 and April 2028.

The program will unfold in three phases: a first leg in the Western and Central Mediterranean and in North Africa, followed by a stop in the Atlantic islands in January, before a return to the Mediterranean from March.

To read: Explora Journeys celebrates the departure of EXPLORA III after its christening in Barcelona

Among the announced calls are Istanbul, Salerno, Livorno, Palma de Mallorca, Kotor, Ibiza, Casablanca and Lisbon. Prolonged calls and several overnights are also planned.


Amelia Brille Publié par Amelia Brille Rédactrice TourMaG.com
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Princess Cruises Removes Princess Cays From Its Itineraries Starting November 2026

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Princess Cruises supprimera les escales à Princess Cays - Depositphotos.com @photoholidaysjk.gmail.com

Climats du Monde


Princess Cruises has removed Princess Cays from its published itineraries starting in November 2026.

The latest scheduled calls are currently planned for September and October, after which the destination will be dropped from the company’s programs.

Several affected cruises have already been revised with alternative calls in the Bahamas, notably at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay and Celebration Key.

The company has, at this stage, published no official communication explaining this change.


Alternatives Within Carnival Corporation’s Portfolio

These changes come as Carnival Corporation expands its portfolio of private Bahamas destinations.

Princess Cruises is expected to begin offering regular calls at Half Moon Cay, while Celebration Key, the group’s new private destination, is gradually taking a more prominent place in the itineraries of Carnival Corporation’s brands.

The shift may, however, have different implications for guests.

Princess beverage packages are accepted at RelaxAway and Half Moon Cay, whereas they are not accepted at Celebration Key, where consumptions are billed separately.


The Future of Princess Cays Remains Uncertain

Located on the southern part of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, Princess Cays has been operated by Carnival Corporation since the 1990s and has long been one of Princess Cruises’ principal private destinations in the Caribbean.

The company has announced neither closure, nor sale, nor rearrangement of the site.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Low Water: CroisiEurope Redesigns Its Rhine and Danube Itineraries

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Sur le Danube, les bateaux navigueront notamment entre Belgrade et les Portes de Fer, entre Vienne et Passau, ainsi qu’à Budapest @CroisiEurope - Alexandre Sattler

Climats du Monde


The low-water levels of the summer of 2026 compel CroisiEurope to demonstrate adaptability.

The company announces that it has completely redesigned its itineraries and repositioned its fleet on the Rhine and the Danube.

CroisiEurope speaks of an “unprecedented low-water crisis”. It asserts that it has drawn lessons from this episode to maintain its sailings, including should comparable conditions recur.


A fleet repositioned on the Rhine and the Danube

On the Danube, ships will sail notably between Belgrade and the Iron Gates, between Vienna and Passau, and in Budapest. One vessel will also join the Main, with a new itinerary devoted to Bavarian castles.

On the Rhine, the company will prioritize the Netherlands and the IJsselmeer, the great Dutch inland lake. The company will also maintain an itinerary between Amsterdam and the Moselle valley, as well as a cruise on the Upper Rhine between Strasbourg and Basel, giving ample space to the Black Forest.

CroisiEurope presents this overhaul as a way to “fully secure the summer season”.


From the Amazon to the Brahmaputra

Furthermore, the company continues to broaden its playing field. One of the major new features for 2027 will be the company’s arrival in the Amazon, aboard the RV Brasilian Dream, touted as a five-anchor eco-durable ship.

In Central Europe, two new itineraries will connect the Danube, the Tisza, the Sava and Lake Balaton. Another cruise will offer a discovery of Prague’s palaces.

Two additional itineraries are announced for the 2027-2028 season: the first between Laos and Thailand along the Mekong, and the second in Assam on the Brahmaputra.

CroisiEurope will also enrich several existing programs. The safari-cruise on the Zambezi will gain two days. In Egypt, the Cairo extension will include a redesigned program around the Grand Egyptian Museum. New stops will also appear on the cruise linking Dubrovnik to Ravenna.


A Longer Season and Event Cruises

The company also aims to extend its season with departures offered earlier in spring and later in autumn. CroisiEurope highlights lower occupancy, folk performances and regional cooking workshops, but also more attractive prices.

Several event cruises will complete the program. Two musical journeys will be offered on the Douro and the Rhine with Alain Duault. A cruise departing from Spain will allow observers to witness the solar eclipse of July 29, 2027, while a river rendezvous will be organized for the Rouen Armada.

The year-end celebrations will also feature programs on the Seine, aboard a paddle-wheel riverboat, on the Elbe between Prague and Dresden Christmas markets, as well as in Prague for New Year’s Eve.

Finally, CroisiEurope announces new modules on its B2B space to facilitate quotes and increase the autonomy of agencies. The company will also continue the program launched in 2026 to highlight and reward the individual performance of sales staff.


Laurent Guéna Published by Laurent Guéna, Journalist – TourMaG.com
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Polynesia: Aranui Cruises Opens 2028 Bookings With New Itineraries

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Aranui Cruises ouvre les réservations pour sa saison 2028 - Depositphotos.com @AlexShadyuk

Hurtigruten


Aranui Cruises officially opens sales for its 2028 program.

With more than four decades of activity, the Polynesian company continues its cruise model that blends freight transport with exploration travel, featuring two complementary ships: the Aranui 5 and the Aranoa, a new mixed cargo vessel whose delivery is planned for March 6, 2027.

For this new season, the company is resizing its offer with the return of the Aranui 5 to its historic 12-day itinerary to the Marquesas Islands and an expanded program for the Aranoa.


Aranui 5 Refocuses on the Marquesas

In 2028, the Aranui 5 will dedicate its entire schedule to the Marquesas Islands.

In total, 23 departures of 12 days are planned for the year, thus returning to the company’s classic itinerary.

To read: Polynesia: I tested for you the Aranui 5 Australes cruise

This shift responds notably to logistical constraints related to freight activity, essential for the populations of the archipelagos served.

To accompany this return to the historic itinerary, Aranui Cruises also announces that the 2027 prices for Marquises cruises will be maintained.


Aranui Cruises: Four itineraries for the New Aranoa

The new Aranoa, currently under construction, will have its own program in 2028. In total, four distinct itineraries will be offered, for 23 departures.

The first will combine the Australes and the Society Islands, with calls at Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea and Huahine. This 12-day voyage will be offered 14 times, compared with 13 days for the equivalent itinerary in 2027.

A second route, also devoted to the Australes and the Society Islands, will take travelers further with a stop at Rapa, one of the most isolated islands in French Polynesia. With a duration of 13 days, this itinerary will also include Moorea, Bora Bora and Raiatea, but not Huahine.

The Aranoa will also head toward Pitcairn and the Gambier Islands for two 12-day departures. This cruise will offer the chance to discover one of the most remote territories in the Pacific, notably linked to the history of the Bounty mutineers.

The company will offer a shorter format, with a five-day departure dedicated to the Tuamotu. This new product will allow travelers to explore the archipelago’s coral atolls over a shorter period.

On the occasion of the 2028 sales launch, Aranui Cruises is implementing several commercial advantages, including a 15% discount on Aranoa voyages and a 10% discount on Aranui 5 voyages, for bookings made before December 31, 2026.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Celebrity Cruises Unveils 2028-2029 Itineraries

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Programmation 2028-2029 de Celebrity Cruises. Photo: Celebrity Cruises

Hurtigruten


Celebrity Cruises unveiled its 2028-2029 schedule, notably featuring four Edge-class ships in Europe.
The line also plans to extend certain seasons and add new ports of call, with itineraries ranging from 7 to 14 nights depending on the destination.
The Celebrity Beyond, recently refurbished, will return to Europe for the first time since 2023. Departing from Southampton, it will present 7- to 14-night cruises to Norway, Iceland, and Scandinavia, while the Celebrity Apex will head toward Scandinavia and the British Isles.


Celebrity Cruises: Japan Available Year-Round

The Celebrity Solstice, recently renovated, will, in 2028, embark on its first full season in Japan, from April through October. The line will also offer extended calls at Kyoto and Aomori, as well as itineraries that allow exploration of Tokyo and Okinawa.

Celebrity Cruises will also bolster its offerings in Alaska, with three ships planned in the region. For the first time, the Celebrity Equinox will feature seven-night itineraries between Vancouver and Seward, while the Celebrity Edge will begin its fifth Alaska season.

The 2028-2029 schedule also includes itineraries to Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, South America and Antarctica, as well as to Bermuda, Canada and New England.

Reservations for Europe, Bermuda, Canada and New England open on August 25, 2026. Sales will follow on September 1 for Alaska, Hawaii and South America, then September 29 for Australia and the winter 2028-2029 in Asia.

Royal Caribbean Announces Summer 2027 Itineraries With a Family Offer

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Royal Caribbean lance sa programmation été 2027 - Depositphotos.com, djulia86

Hurtigruten


Royal Caribbean unveils a new programming for Summer 2027, accompanied by a “Kids and Teens Sail” offer dedicated to children and adolescents, with fares starting from €99 for the youngest travelers.

This promotion sits within the company’s early booking strategy for families making a new booking by September 30, 2026.

The company’s goal is to encourage long-term planning of summer vacations by highlighting onboard amenities suitable for all ages, ranging from leisure and entertainment facilities to themed dining spaces and relaxation zones.


Summer 2027: heading towards the Mediterranean, Alaska and the Caribbean

As for the summer program, the brand will position several newer ships on key sailing bases.

In Europe, the Legend of the Seas will return to offer seven-night itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, with departures from the ports of Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia).

In North America, the company will deploy the Anthem of the Seas and the Quantum of the Seas for seven-night cruises departing from Vancouver and Seward, focusing on discovering Alaska’s glaciers (Hubbard, Endicott Arm, Dawes).

At the same time, short three- to four-night formats will be operated in the Caribbean from Florida (Port Canaveral and Miami) via the Utopia of the Seas and the Wonder of the Seas, including calls at the private island Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.

Summer 2027: Costa Reinvents Cruise Itineraries as a True Travel Experience

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Nouveaux itinéraires été 2027 © Costa Croisières


CroisiEurope

Et si chaque itinéraire racontait désormais sa propre histoire ?

Today, travelers seek far more than a simple sequence of ports of call. They want to experience an atmosphere, discover a destination from a different angle and choose a journey that aligns with their desires, whether it be relaxation, culture, gastronomy, or discovery.

More than ever, the overall experience, both onboard and on land, has become a decisive criterion in choosing a vacation. It is in this logic that Costa is rethinking its summer 2027 programming with a new generation of itineraries built around clearly identifiable travel universes.

The company is gradually moving away from a purely geographical approach in favor of real travel concepts. Each itinerary now has its own identity, expressed from its name and carried by a strong emotional throughline. Thus, Dolce Vita speaks to lovers of the Mediterranean art of living, between Portofino, Taormine and the Amalfi Coast. Blue Islands highlights the finest Greek islands and their infinite shades of blue. Golden Islands takes travelers to the heart of the “Islands of Gold” in the Mediterranean, with four islands united by crystal-clear waters, vibrant atmospheres and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Nordic Soul invites travelers to discover Northern Europe through its grand landscapes, preserved nature and Scandinavian way of life. With Adriatic & Cyclades, Costa brings together the charm of the Adriatic and the mythical magic of the Cyclades for an immersion among cultures, traditions and iconic panoramas.



Exemple de nouveaux concepts © Costa Croisières

These itineraries are only a preview of the new Summer 2027 collection. Many other itineraries await discovery, each designed to offer a different way to explore a destination and experience the cruise. Through this approach, Costa turns the itinerary into a true travel experience, giving travel agencies new selling points and a more inspiring way to present its offer.


How do these new itineraries facilitate sales in agencies?

This new approach helps agents guide clients more easily according to their desires rather than a simple list of ports of call. The choice is no longer limited to Western or Eastern Mediterranean, but to different ways of living one’s vacation: relaxation, cultural discovery, spectacular landscapes, Mediterranean ambiance, or immersion in nature.

For advisors, the messaging also evolves. It becomes possible to recommend an experience before recommending a destination. A client drawn to elegance, gastronomy, and the art of living will naturally be steered toward Dolce Vita, while a lover of islands, turquoise landscapes and seaside atmosphere will find happiness in Blue Islands.

The company also reinforces this promise with exclusive experiences on board and on land. The Sea Experiences, the Land Experiences inspired by the visited regions create a stronger link between the itinerary and the traveler’s experience, offering a seamless journey from the first to the last day of the cruise.


How to entice a former client to sail again to a destination they already know?

This is one of the major strengths of this lineup. Many travelers already know the Mediterranean’s classics or the Greek Islands. Yet, thanks to this new approach, they now have new reasons to return.

The experience evolves both on land and at sea. A client who sailed in the Mediterranean a few years ago will not simply rediscover the same itinerary: they will find a new way to live their journey. The storytelling of journeys, the Sea Experiences & Land Experiences on offer allow re-discovering familiar places from a totally new angle.

Finally, among the highlights of the Summer 2027 season, Costa also signs the return of the highly anticipated Eclipse Cruise. After the success of the 2026 edition, sold out, it will once again offer the chance to observe a total solar eclipse at sea on August 2, 2027, departing La Seyne-sur-Mer on July 27, 2027 with a return on August 7, 2027, aboard the Costa Fascinosa. A 10-day rare experience that perfectly illustrates the company’s ambition: to transform every cruise into a unique and memorable journey.


Croisière de l’éclipse – Visuel généré par IA © Costa Croisières


Where to find all the information to sell these new concepts?

To assist agencies in marketing this new offering, the Italian company has also modernized Costa Extra, its sales portal dedicated to tourism professionals.

Summer 2027 sales are now open, with all the new itineraries available for booking. Agents can find all the information they need to sell: detailed descriptions, sales arguments, visual contents and videos dedicated to each travel concept, whether Dolce Vita, Blue Islands, Golden Islands, Nordic Soul, Seaside Dream or Lights of the Mediterranean.


Exemple d’une page de réservation C|Extra - © Costa Croisières




Mysterious France: Three Itineraries Through the Land of Legends and Monsters

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The Arthurian Cycle, Norman Style

There isn’t only the Breton forest of Brocéliande to have linked its name to Arthurian legends. In the Mortainais, a secluded and wild valley in the southeast of the Manche, several sites are tied to the sovereign and his knights. Notably Arthour’s Fosse, sandstone gorges carved by the Sonce, where the king is said to be buried.

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