Cruise the River Seine – Normandy Coast to Paris or Paris to Normandy Coast

Local departure by coach, then to Paris where we will embark our cruise ship.

We depart our ship for an included excursion to Giverny in Normandy to visit the home and gardens of Claude Monet.

The artist lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926, and today his house and in particular the gardens, made famous by his painting of the water lilies, have been restored to Monet’s original designs.

His gardens, stretching from his house down to the river, provided the inspiration for many of his famous paintings, such as the series of ‘Nympheas’ or Water Lilies and his ‘Pont Japonais’ or Japanese Bridge, which has also been rebuilt for visitors to enjoy.

We rejoin our ship in time for lunch, and sail overnight towards Honfleur.

We arrive in Honfleur mid-morning. Today we enjoy free time in Honfleur. The cradle of Impressionism is located at the mouth of the Seine as it flows into the English Channel. Untouched by the passage of time, this small port has retained the landmarks of its rich past, making it one of the most visited towns in France.

After returning to our ship for lunch, join our included excursion, as we discover the Côte Fleurie and taste some Calvados, the famous apple brandy. The first stop is Deauville, the glamorous Normandy resort, and a symbol of elegance, prestige and sophistication. Enjoy a stroll along the famous floorboards that were built in 1923 along the beach, allowing women to enjoy the seaside without spoiling their dresses. We set sail overnight along the Seine towards the city of Rouen.

Our ship arrives in Rouen this morning. Enjoy time at leisure, or join our optional guided tour of Rouen. The centre of the city and its famous cathedral are a short walk from the ship. Stretched along the Seine, Rouen is Normandy’s cultural, historical, and gastronomical capital. The Gros-Horloge, or Great Clock, is one of the most emblematic monuments in the city. The Gothic belfry has housed the communal bells and clock of the city since its construction at the end of the 14th century. Cruise through the night towards Poissy.

Our ship arrives in Poissy this morning. We disembark in Poissy. Join our included excursion to the famous gardens of Versailles, originally created for Louis XIV. Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the gardens, or along Versailles own Grand Canal, or why not discover the many fountains and pools, with their display of fine sculpture in the magnificent gardens from this once opulent era. (Please note that time will be limited, due to our sailing schedule.)

* Due to road access in Poissy, we will have a walk of approximately 10-15 minutes to/from our ship to our coach / vice-versa.

Following our visit to Versailles gardens we continue to our hotel on the outskirts of Paris for a two-night stay.

Return home.