Plan a Vacation River Cruise on the Seine River
See Paris, France, Giverny, Normandy and Versailles.

Plan a vacation cruise on the River Seine through France between Paris and Normandy. What could be more wonderful than to combine a visit to romantic Paris, France, with a relaxing river cruise to the beautiful river cities along the Seine and the countryside of Normandy? A river cruise on the Seine travels north through France from Paris to Normandy, and then returns to Paris. You have the opportunity to enjoy the sights of Paris, the City of Light, and then cruise the Seine River, docking to visit the remarkable towns of Giverny, Vernon, Rouen, Les Andelys and Conflans. The vacation river cruise also includes an excursion along the coast of the English Channel where you can visit the beaches of Normandy and famous sites of the Allied invasion on D-Day in 1944.

1. Highlights of Paris on the Seine River Cruise
2. Seine River Cruise to Vernon, Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise
3. Seine River Cruise to Rouen and Normandy
4. Seine River Cruise to Les Andelys and Conflans
5. Versailles on the Seine River Cruise

Highlights of Paris on the Seine River Cruise

A river cruise on the Seine starts and ends in Paris, the City of Lights and romance capital of the world. Here you will find the world's center of culture, art, fashion and cuisine. While you tour the highlights of this inspiring city, share in the Parisian joie de vivre, the spirit of living with joy in every moment. Visit some of these famous places in Paris: The Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sacred Heart Basilica, Arc de Triomphe, the Pantheon, Sainte-Chapelle, the Latin Quarter, the Opera House, the Champs Elysees, the artist district of Montmartre, and Hotel des Invalides. More about these famous places and things to see and do in Paris.

Seine River Cruise in Vernon, Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise

The Seine River cruise docks at Vernon and tours Giverny, a short ride inland, both much anticipated experiences. Vernon is noteworthy for the Maison du Temps Jadis, which is to say, House of Past Times, its oldest house. The Church of Notre Dame dates from the 11th century. Excursions to Auvers-sur-Oise and Monet's Giverny set off from Vernon.

Giverny was the home of painter Claude Monet from 1883 until his death in 1926. Monet’s stone farmhouse and its inspiring gardens are open for tours between April 1 and October 31. You've seen Monet's paintings of the abundant garden with its Japanese bridge and water lilies. Now you'll see the glorious garden as the master saw it.

The nearby village of Auvers-sur-Oise attracted artists like Camille Corot and Honoré Daumier, Paul Cézanne, Charles Daubigny, Camille Pissarro, Henri Rousseau, and of course, Vincent van Gogh. Auvers is noteworthy as the place where van Gogh painted 70 paintings and where he died by his own hand. The Siene River cruise may offer an excursion to this French village.

Seine River Cruise in Rouen and Normandy

Rouen, a historic medieval city on the Siene River, is another stop on the Siene River cruise vacation. Rouen was inhabited by the Gauls, the Romans and then Viking invaders. In 1204, Philip II Augustus of France conquered Rouen, claiming it and Normandy for France. During the Hundred Years' War, the English occupied Rouen from 1419 until the city was recaptured by France in 1449. Joan of Arc, who led French army to victory during the Hundred Years' War, was captured and burned at the stake in Rouen when she was just 19. You can see the 14th-century courthouse where Joan of Arc was sentenced to death and the nearby Market Square where she was martyred.

The Battle of Normandy was fought at Rouen in WWII. Rouen is also known for its own Notre Dame Cathedral, for an astronomical clock from16th century called the Gros Horloge, and for its ancient half-timbered buildings. You may recognize some of the landmarks of Rouen as the subject of famous paintings.

Along the Normandy coast of the English Channel, you can visit the historic beaches and memorials of the Allied invasion on D-Day in 1944. Gold Beach, Juno Beach, Courseulles sur Mer, and Omaha Beach are important sites of the war effort. The American Military Cemetery and Arromanches Debarkment Museum commemorate the brave fighting forces of WW II.

Seine River Cruise in Les Andelys and Conflans

Another port on the Siene River cruise is the small town of Les Andelys. The town is known for its imposing castle, Château Gaillard, built in 1196 by English King Richard the Lionheart. A crucial fortification during the Hundred Years' War, the castle was later partially demolished by the French. Tourists can view the extensive ruins of the castle keep, the moat, and the baileys.

Your Siene River cruise also docks in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, a riverside town and suburb of Paris, named for the confluence of the Oise and Seine Rivers. The dock is lined with barges adapted into houseboats. This lovely waterfront town boasts cobbled streets and charming architecture. While you are there, enjoy the town museum and views from the medieval hilltop tower and the Church of Saint-Maclou.

Versailles on the Seine River Cruise

Before or after your Seine River cruise, a day trip to the Palace of Versailles, twenty kilometres southwest of the Paris, is well worth your time. Versailles was the home of King Louis XIV, the Sun King who lived like a god in the days before the French Revolution. It is one of the largest palaces in the world and a popular tourist attraction in France. Visitors marvel at the Hall of Mirrors and the many Salons, the exhibits of sculpture, decorative arts and expansive gardens. The Palace of Versailles set the standard for lifestyles of the rich and famous. Walk in the footsteps of Marie Antoinette who, when told the hungry peasants had no bread, reportedly said "Let them eat cake."

It's the itinerary for a perfect vacation. And you don't have to worry about transportation, accomodations or meals, because the luxurious cruise ship is always near at hand. This cruise of the Seine River delivers history, art, architecture, medieval towns, gardening, storybook chateaux, and a pleasurable, relaxing getaway. Invite your partner, bring your best friend or put together a congenial group for this vacation of a lifetime.

Ask your travel agent or check with some of the well-known cruise operators like Viking River Cruises. You can have the time of your life on a memorable river cruise.

I hope you have an exciting vacation.
I wish you a very happy day.

Your Travel Agent Jeff, for Travel Welcome

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Plan a River Cruise on the Seine River



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