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Seine River Cruise: the best of Normandy

8-day luxury river cruise from £2,795 pp incl. flights

Save up to £1,000 pp on selected dates in 2024

Summary

Short description

Medieval treasures and countryside beauty in all-inclusive luxury

Highlights

  • Explore with excursions included throughout, from bike rides to cliff-top golf
  • Indulge with full-board dining and free-flowing champagne
  • Enjoy the rural idyll of northern France
  • Pause at Monet’s house and the Palace of Versailles
  • Take in the city icons of Paris

In Brief

  • 1 Night Paris
  • 1 Night Vernon
  • 1 Night Rouen
  • 1 Night Caudebec-en-Caux
  • 1 Night Rouen
  • 1 Night Mantes-la-Jolie
  • 1 Night Paris

About

Recommended for:
Escorted tour | Food & wine | History & culture | River cruise

Sailing the famous Seine, this luxury small-ship river cruise showcases the highlights of northern France. Not only will you take in Paris’s classics, but you’ll strike out through Normandy’s rural beauty, pausing at the likes of fishing villages, Rouen’s medieval treasures and the glittering Palace of Versailles. It’s all brought to life by excursions included throughout, from hikes and bike rides to expert-led city tours and trips to the Normandy beaches. Then, back on board, you’ll be treated to all-inclusive drinks and fine dining. This itinerary is even available as a no-fly option.

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
UK/Paris

Whether travelling with our no-fly Eurostar option or enjoying complimentary airport lounge access before your flight, you’ll be met on arrival in Paris by an included transfer to your luxury ship. Here, you’ll settle into your marbled cabin to enjoy serene river views and an all-inclusive spread of fine dining and open-bar drinks. The best in wine-paired French gastronomy is taken among handcrafted furniture and original antiques. Then, alongside the complimentary WiFi, local entertainment and lecture series, the luxurious facilities range from cocktail bars and chef’s-table tasting rooms to a Parisian café and an onboard spa, complete with yoga classes and fitness centre.

Stay: S.S. Joie de Vivre (Deluxe)

Meals: D

Day 2
Vernon

Today, you’ll start your series of included excursions, beginning with the hilltop Chateau La Roche-Guyon. Surrounded by gorgeous gardens and sweeping views over the Seine, its grand 18th-century manor house is joined by intriguing WWII-era tunnels. You’ll then take in Claude Monet’s home and gardens, which served as inspiration for much of this impressionist master’s works. Alternatively, you might want to get active with a guided hike or bike ride through northern France’s rural idyll. Whatever you chose, the day concludes with a captain’s welcome reception and dinner back on board.

Stay: S.S. Joie de Vivre (Deluxe)

Meals: B L D

Day 3
Normandy beaches

Today is given over to the Normandy beaches, striking out among the headlands and WWII-era fortifications. With guiding from historical specialists, you'll learn about the fateful events of 1944 and the human sacrifice that they entailed. There's also a choice of touring routes, including the likes of the American Cemetery, a private ceremony at Omaha Beach and a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry Museum.

Stay: S.S. Joie de Vivre (Deluxe)

Meals: B L D

Day 4
Caudebec-en-Caux (Honfleur or Étretat)

Wonderfully exclusive to your cruise, you’ll have the chance to play a round of golf on a dramatic links course atop Normandy’s Alabaster Coast. If golf isn’t your bag, further included excursions offer the chance to stroll through the rolling Calvados countryside to seaside Honfleur – an artists’ favourite. A walking tour brings the smugglers’ past of this fishing village to life as you admire its slate-roofed townhouses and 15th-century cottages. Your last option is a bike ride to the quaint village of Villequiers.

Stay: S.S. Joie de Vivre (Deluxe)

Meals: B L D

Day 5
Rouen

Rouen, Normandy’s medieval capital, retains much of its historic core. A cross marks the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred, its cathedral was painted by Monet a dozen times and its surrounding battlefields have hosted the likes of Richard the Lionheart. Expect everything from Gothic severity to centuries-old churches. It’s all showcased on your expert-led walking tour.

Stay: S.S. Joie de Vivre (Deluxe)

Meals: B L D

Day 6
Mantes-la-Jolie (Versailles)

Discover how France’s rulers lived over the centuries past as you step into the Palace of Versailles, enjoying privileged access to Louis XVI's royal apartments. Lush silk draperies, exquisite marquetry tables and gilded beds abound, revealing the elegancy of an 18th-century royal life. There’s also the included option of visiting Marie Antoinette’s hamlet or cycling along the Seine River to La Butte Verte Parc, before enjoying a captain’s farewell reception and dinner back on board.

Stay: S.S. Joie de Vivre (Deluxe)

Meals: B L D

Day 7
Paris

With a full day in the French capital, you’ll have a full choice of included excursions, ideal for returners and first-time visitors alike. A full city tour, for example, takes in everything from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées to the legendary Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. Alternatively, follow the locals with a walking tour of the Latin quarter’s cathedral delights and street cafés, frequented by Sartre and Hemingway. Lastly, whether by cruise or bike, there’s the chance to take in the sights of the Seine, which include fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower from the Champs de Mars – one of Paris’s largest green spaces.

Stay: S.S. Joie de Vivre (Deluxe)

Meals: B L D

Day 8
Paris/UK

After a final breakfast, an included transfer will see you to either the airport for your flight home or the Gare du Nord to take the Eurostar back.

Meals: B

Map

Pricing

Any element of this cruise can be adjusted to suit your needs. Just contact us to find out more.

Prices

8-day luxury river cruise
from £2,795 pp incl. flights

Save up to £1,000 pp on selected dates in 2024
Book by: 31 March 2024

Special offers:

  • Save up to £1,000 pp on selected 2024 departure dates
  • No single supplement on selected 2024 departure dates - please call for details
  • Save up to 10% on selected 2025 departure dates

Includes:

  • Flights from the UK to Paris (alternatively Eurostar/SNCF from London St Pancras)
  • Airport transfers on arrival and departure days if taking the flight option (transfers not included if taking Eurostar option)
  • 7-night cruise in a river-view stateroom on the S.S. Joie de Vivre
  • All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients - 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
  • Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions and Gala Dinners
  • Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, specialty coffee and tea, and mineral water
  • Butler service in suites
  • 6 days of excursions all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
  • Guided  "Go Active," "Do as the Locals Do" and "Gentle Walking" programs
  • State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
  • Use of Nordic walking sticks
  • Free Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager

As an a alterative to flying you can also take this itinerary with Eurostar from London St Pancras station to Paris (note: no transfers are included from Bordeaux station to the ship and back)

Departures on most Sundays from April to October.

Price varies by departure date and stateroom availability, please call for details.

Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and possible change; normal booking conditions apply. 


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