A river cruise down, or in this case should we say up the Seine River will transport you through some of the most beautiful parts of the Normandy region of France towards the Atlantic. At a bit under 500 miles in length the Seine River is not a very long river. But, what it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in the history, culture and some of the most strikingly beautiful towns and villages in all of France. Your remarkable 100 or so mile journey on the Seine will provide you with an abundance of rich photographic opportunities, delectable regional cuisine and beautiful local cheeses.
A Seine River cruise is for those who have a passion for “La dolce Vida,” incredible art; culture and what we think are some of the most dramatic landscapes you will ever see, and they are all ever-present as you sail the Seine. While your Seine River cruise begins and ends in charming, bustling Paris, the focus of your days on the river are far removed as you explore a very different part of France, the region of the Normans. Normandy is very different than you might expect as its history is more British than French — and the blend of these two cultures is worth the price of the tip alone.
Imagine you are sitting on the Sun Deck, sipping a glass of world famous French wine, while the history of France unfolds before your eyes, from the incomparable “City of Lights” to the charming medieval village of Les Andelys and the aw-inspiring cathedral town of Rouen, to the Normandy Beaches, the storming of which by Allied troops forever changed the course of world history. And, you’re there to capture those intense images personally and through the lens of your camera for eternity.
Impressionist art lovers must do this trip if for no other reason than to touch, feel and experience where the movement began, Giverny, home for 43 years to Claude Monet, leader of the Impressionist movement. You can still see his garden with its lily pads and the many original pieces of art still on display.
The Impressionist route will also take you into the quaint town of Auvers-sur-Oise, which for a time in the 19th-century was home to a veritable who’s who of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painters, including Cezanne, Corot, Pissarro, and of course Vincent Van Gogh. You can still walk the wheat fields which inspired several of his paintings, and visit the small cemetery where he is buried.
One thing we all want on a vacation is relaxation, and there is no better place to relax than on the Sun Deck as your river cruise ship slowly meanders down the Seine. One of my absolute favorite parts of this cruise is that area of the Seine around the tiny medieval village of Les Andelys, especially during autumn. Located on a bend of the river, this pretty little village sits in a valley under white cliffs. Do not miss the chance to climb up to Chateau Gaillard, a spectacular fortress built by Richard the Lionheart. While not much remains of this ruined castle, the views from the top are simply magnificent; overlooking as it does the Seine in directions, the town, and the beautiful scenery that stretches in all directions and will provide you some of the most memorable photo opportunities in all France.
As you travel in a northerly direction you will arrive in Rouen (generally for a 2-day stay), probably most noted for two things; first its remarkable Gothic cathedral located smack dab in the center of a Medieval quarter that’s a shopper’s and photo journalists’ paradise. And, as you stroll the area along the Vieux Marche, you will encounter the other most know attribute of Rouen, the spot where Joan of Arc was punished for her defiance.
For those who love quaint old fishing villages and I’m one of them, the village of Honfleur may be one of our favorite places in the entire world — yes, the entire world. As you walk the streets of this photogenic village you too will get the feeling that it has not changed in over 500 years, and it has not. It is a remarkable stroll and a great place for a local lunch. When you reserve your cabin on a Seine River cruise with us at Premier, ask to have Rick send you his special place for lunch in Honfleur — it’s truly remarkable.
No visit to Normandy would be complete without a sobering and yet stimulating visit to the beaches of Normandy and the infamous D-Day Invasion in 1944. You'll most certainly want to walk the American Cemetery located upon the bluffs at Colleville sur Mer and then travel over to Arromanches and the very interesting museum of the invasion. What really struck us the first time we visited these bluffs was the courage it must have taken to be down below looking up and know you had to climb those bluffs in order to secure the area — and as we know today, they did exactly that. Unbelievable!
The cruise along the Seine is a combination of all the best of France packed into seven or so incredible days that we’re sure will provide you with a lifetime of memories. But wait, we have not spoken of the City of Lights, Paris and that’s because Paris is the bonus feature to an otherwise perfect short vacation. You don’t take the trip because of Paris, but think of Paris as a bonus feature to an incredible journey.
Imagine Paris as the “throw-in” to a remarkable river cruise vacation. Has there ever been a city with more written about it than Paris? The “City of Lights,” “Gay Paree” and the “City of Love” — these are but a few of its well-deserved nicknames. Did you know that Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world? Not just Europe, the world! You all know about its famous landmarks: the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame Cathedral, but if you want to experience a truly unique flavor to the city, treat yourself to a sorbet from Bertillon, a family-run ice cream and sorbet shop located on the Ile Saint Louis. There is nothing more refreshing, especially on a warm summer day!
From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, from Montmartre to the Arc de Triumph, and along the wide boulevard of the Champs Elysée, the history and evolution of Paris has been shaped by the Seine. In fact the banks of the Seine as it runs through much of the city have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
As we mentioned above, this is a uniquely different trip to France than most have the opportunity to experience, it is truly France at its best, and you need to include this river cruise on your cruise “bucket list.” Some of our favorite river cruise lines offer exceptionallly affordable France river cruises on the Seine and on the Rhone and Saone rivers. They are: AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Waterways, Uniworld, Scenic, Tauck, and Viking.
If time permits you to have a more lengthy vacation, might we suggest you talk with one of our Premier river cruise experts about combining this 7/8 day French delight with the culinary and wine cruises offered along the Rhone and Saone rivers of Provence — for lovers of art, food, wine and history, you’ll be enthralled on a hourly basis. But, no matter which itinerary you choose, or the length, all of the river cruises through France are truly remarkable.
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