The Seine, Paris & Normandy River Cruise
8 days from only £1,749pp
Overview
- Experience more with so much included
- Receive up to €200 to spend on-board, on selected dates
- Nine visits and tours, including guided tours of Paris, Honfleur and Rouen; visits to Caudebec, Les Andelys and Vernon; and excursions to Claude Monet’s house, the D-Day Normandy Beaches and the
world-famous Bayeux Tapestry - Seven nights on board in your choice of luxury cabin or suite, with river views
- All meals on board from dinner on your day of arrival through to breakfast on your day of departure
(except one lunch), including a welcome dinner and the Captain’s Dinner - Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
- Complimentary on-board Wi-Fi (connection speeds may vary)
- Return scheduled flights from 10 regional airports or Eurostar seat from London St Pancras International
with regional rail connections available (a supplement may apply) - Five-star service from an English-speaking crew and knowledgeable local guides
- Services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and concierge
- All port charges, airport taxes and overseas transfers
- No surcharges guaranteed
- ABTA, ATOL and IATA protection
Selected departures from April to October 2020
Your Itinerary
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN PARIS
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris or fly to
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. On arrival, transfer by coach to your
cruise ship moored on the River Seine in the heart of the city. The
friendly crew will welcome you on board, helping you settle into your
spacious and exquisitely furnished accommodation – you’ll immediately
feel at home. This evening you enjoy your first sumptuous dinner,
served in the ship’s restaurant.
DAY 2 - LES ANDELYS
During the night our ship slips her mooring and, as you enjoy breakfast,
the landscape passes by serenely and you quickly get used to this
luxurious sightseeing experience. Rounding a sweeping bend so typical
of the Seine, we reach the town of Mantes-la-Jolie with its imposing
church – so large and architecturally impressive it could be a cathedral –
while straight ahead is a medieval stone bridge. The central section of
the bridge was destroyed during the Second World War and never
repaired – it’s the first of many poignant reminders that this region of
France has been a battleground for centuries.
Beyond Mantes we encounter another typical feature of the Seine as it
flows seaward – picturesque chalk cliffs, almost resembling a giant’s
teeth. Beautiful villages like La Roche Guyon slide by, surrounded by
bocage countryside of lush pastures and high hedgerows, countless
cider orchards, half-timbered barns and ancient wooden farmhouses.
We’re truly in the heart of one of France’s historic and stunningly
attractive dukedoms – Normandy.
While you’re enjoying your first delicious lunch, the captain has skilfully
berthed at Les Andelys, a small town dominated by one of the most
spectacular sights along the entire valley – Château Gaillard. This
afternoon we discover the story behind this remarkable castle, with
entrance fee included. The remarkable Château Gaillard guards the
apex of the river bend and was built by Richard the Lionheart in the
12th-century to defend Rouen from the French. Besieged many times
during the turbulent history of northern France, Château Gaillard is now
one of the most dramatic ruins in the region. Should you wish, why not
arrange to visit the wheelhouse, the Captain is always delighted to
Call Riviera Travel on 01283 245 322
explain to those interested how the highly sophisticated navigation and
safety systems operate.
DAY 3 - ROUEN
We awake in Rouen, Normandy’s capital, one of Europe’s finest medieval
cities and scene of many momentous events over the centuries. Pride of
place on our guided tour of the city belongs to its stunning Gothic
cathedral, which was immortalised by the great Impressionist Claude
Monet in a series of 28 paintings showing the facade at varying times of
day and in different weather conditions. Briefly becoming the world’s
tallest building when the soaring spire was added in the 19th century,
the cathedral is also notable for the recumbent statue reputedly
containing the heart of Richard the Lionheart.
Rouen’s beautifully tangled alleyways are a revelation, lined with
antique shops, tasteful boutiques and, of course, countless restaurants
serving exceptional local cuisine emphasising the country’s outstanding
gastronomic heritage. The Place du Vieux-Marché is one of the city’s
most poignant spots; a large cross marks the point where the ‘Maid of
Orléans’ Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for her beliefs.
During another superb lunch we cast off to navigate through yet more
twists and turns, chalk cliffs and a landscape of forest-covered hills that
are designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty and sanctuaries
for diverse wildlife, including deer and wild boar. Another highlight of
the valley soon greets us – the ethereal ruins of Jumièges Abbey.
Founded in the 7th century, it was consecrated in the presence of
William the Conqueror and was an important political and religious
centre until it was sacked in the 16th century. In the late afternoon we
moor in the pretty town of Caudebec-en-Caux, so after dinner why not
take a stroll to explore this lovely spot, with its typical market square,
richly decorated church and the Maison des Templiers, one of the oldest
houses in Normandy.
DAY 4 - BAYEUX & ARROMANCHES
After breakfast you’ll be ready for a full-day tour exploring two of the
most important aspects of European history – the Bayeux Tapestry and
the D-Day landings. (Please note lunch is not provided today.) Bayeux
itself is a delightful town with a historic core that escaped the ravages of
war, so you can marvel at its many splendid buildings including the
grand Gothic cathedral. But, of course, Bayeux is most famous as the
home of the tapestry telling the story of the Norman invasion of Britain
in 1066 in glorious detail. Among its 75 scenes are the coronation of
Harold following the death of Edward the Confessor and his subsequent
demise at the Battle of Hastings, which led to William of Normandy
invading England and becoming king. The 230-foot-long tapestry is
made up of nine panels of extremely delicate embroidery – gazing at its
wonderful depictions of the battle and the period’s architecture,
weapons and everyday life, you’ll appreciate why the Bayeux Tapestry is
arguably the finest relic of the Middle Ages.
This afternoon we drive to nearby Gold Beach, one of the designated
landing sites on D-Day, when Allied forces, the majority being American,
British and Canadian troops, surged into Normandy to begin the
liberation of occupied Europe. The target 50-mile stretch of the coast
was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword.
Casting your eyes across the sand to the water’s edge, it’s sobering to
consider that on 6 June 1944 around 25,000 British troops came ashore
on this one beach with 400 killed by the defenders. It has been
estimated that by the day’s end approximately 156,000 Allied troops
had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches but suffered over 10,000
casualties - although more recent research suggests the figure may be
significantly higher; it is now thought that there were over 4,000 Allied
fatalities, the majority of which were sustained by American forces at
Omaha, the largest of the beaches. At the western end of the shoreline
is the village of Arromanches, where there is a museum dedicated to the
‘longest day’ and you can still see remnants of the two Mulberry
harbours constructed for the landing craft. After a day recalling such
momentous events and the stories surrounding them, thoughts turn
again to the culinary delights awaiting you in the refined comfort of the
ship’s restaurant.
DAY 5 - HONFLEUR
Honfleur is often regarded as the most picturesque spot on the
northern French coast, and after breakfast we make the short journey
to this delightful town and enjoy a guided tour. Its old harbour,
sheltering both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is beautifully
preserved and surrounded by a perfect waterfront of pastel-coloured
16th- to 18th-century houses, many converted to seafood restaurants.
Watch the talented artists capturing the captivating views along the
waterfront, while the intricate maze of streets behind is also well worth
discovering. The eaves of the tall half-timbered buildings almost touch,
and on the streets below is an abundance of traditional shops selling
antiques, books and fine foods. Honfleur’s most famous son is Eugene
Boudin, one of the forerunners of Impressionism and a friend of Claude
Monet, who also painted the harbour many times.
After returning to the ship for lunch, we slip our mooring and begin our
passage back upstream, retracing the river’s winding course, its huge
variety of wildlife, enchanting scenery and forests, all reflected in
differing colours in the sparkling waters. Villages slip by, birds glide on
thermals rising from the surrounding cliffs and, as this ever-changing
kaleidoscope slips by, it’s an ideal opportunity to join new friends for a
chat. Squeeze in a spot of reading on the Sun Deck or simply recline,
letting the gentle breezes lull you into a relaxing doze. By this stage of
your cruise you’ll be totally unwound and modern life will seem very
distant.
DAY 6 - GIVERNY & VERNON
One of the great delights of river cruising is the magical sensation of
waking up in a different place from where you were the night before.
This morning the ship has moored in delightful Vernon, and we take the
short drive to Giverny to visit Monet’s garden and house. The artist
himself called his garden his ‘most beautiful masterpiece’, and it’s
certainly one of the world’s most photographed and painted, ideally
viewed in the delicate morning light. In the Japanese-inspired water
garden, shaded by great weeping willows and surrounded by bamboo,
rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond where he painted his
extraordinary Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series. There’s ample time to
wander here, absorbing the tranquil atmosphere while marvelling at the
light bouncing off foliage of every hue and the magical reflections
dancing off the water.
After another leisurely lunch on board, you can explore Vernon’s quaint
buildings before embarking on our cruise to Paris. As the sun sets on
the shimmering Seine and the Norman countryside recedes into dusk,
it’s a perfect time to reflect on your few days cruising among the creamy
chalk cliffs and charming villages of this splendid river.
DAY 7 - PARIS
We have arrived in Paris and this morning we take a sightseeing tour of
this amazing capital, one of the world’s most iconic cities. The Eiffel
Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, Sacré-Coeur – you’ll see all
these and much more. The grand Place de la Concorde, the largest
square in the city, shows off 18th-century French architecture at its best,
and just over the Seine on the Left Bank you’ll find the Musée d’Orsay,
home of the world’s finest Impressionist art collection. Then there’s the
eccentrically modern and yet stylish Pompidou Centre, famous not only
for its exhibits but also for street entertainment. Notre-Dame Cathedral
and the delicate spire of the sublime Saint-Chapelle dominate the Ile de
la Cité, while the exquisite Tuileries Gardens are perfect for a stroll.
After lunch on board you could visit fine shops such as the Galeries
Lafayette or those in the smart arcaded Rue de Rivoli, or perhaps
wander around the café-lined streets of bohemian Montmartre. Paris is
everything you imagine it to be – romantic, inspiring, vibrant – even
outrageous – but best of all Paris is unique, and a fitting finale to a
wonderful cruise. This evening is the Captain’s Dinner, hosted of course
by the Captain himself. Featuring specialities of the regions through
which we have travelled, it’s a truly memorable experience.
DAY 8 - RETURN HOME
Transfer to the airport for your return flight or the station for the
Eurostar service home.
