Discover fine French flavors during this palate-pleasing Celebration of Wine River Cruise along the Seine – an enhanced epicurean experience included in the price of your cruise. Admire beautiful Paris, the “City of Light,” as well as sites memorialized by famous Impressionist painters along France’s Seine River. Visit Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny. Indulge in Norman chocolate, cheese and cider – and of course, plenty of wine – and enhance your best self on guided bike tours through charming cities like Les Andelys. With fairytale castles, châteaux and idyllic scenery at every turn, this incredible Wine Cruise is sure to inspire your own art – or at least conjure beautiful memories, dreams and flavors for years to come!
Discover fine French flavors during this palate-pleasing Celebration of Wine River Cruise along the Seine – an enhanced epicurean experience included in the price of your cruise. Admire St. Malo and the magical island monastery of Mont St. Michel. Indulge in Norman chocolate, cheese and cider – and of course, plenty of wine – and enhance your best self on guided bike tours through charming cities like Les Andelys. Visit Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny, as well as sites memorialized by famous Impressionist painters. And conclude your experience in beautiful Paris, the “City of Light.” With fairytale castles, châteaux and idyllic scenery at every turn, this incredible Wine Cruise is sure to inspire your own art – or at least conjure beautiful memories, dreams and flavors for years to come!
Impressions of the Seine & Paris (Wine Cruise)
At A Glance
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Board your ship in Le Havre for your Impressions of the Seine & Paris Celebration of Wine River Cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Le Havre | Honfleur excursion |
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| | OR Full-day Normandy Beaches |
|
| | OR Palais Bénédictine a Fécamp |
|
There are several different choices of excursions, both during the morning and afternoon, depending on your interests. You can choose between an excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur, renowned for its picturesque harbor, and for being an inspirational site for Impressionist painters. Alternatively, you can also choose a full-day excursion to see the historic Normandy Beaches, where you may visit such sites as the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer and the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. you have the choice of a bike tour through Le Havre. Later in the day, for those not on the full-day excursion, join a city tour of the UNESCO-designated Le Havre, pedal through it on a guided bike tour or visit the Palais Bénédictine a Fécamp, where you’ll be treated to a tasting of an herbal elixir, la Bénédictine, developed during the Renaissance and blended with 27 plants and spices. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Le Havre | Bayeux and Caen tours |
|
| | OR Harcourt Arboretum, Château du Champ de Bataille and Le Bec Hellouin /dd> |
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| Caudebec-en-Caux | Museo Seine |
|
Visit Bayeux, with a medieval city center and the world-renowned Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion of England, followed by a visit to Caen, where one of the top sites is the Château de Caen, an 11th-century castle built by William the Conqueror. Or instead, admire the 30-acre Harcourt Arboretum, with its nearly 3,000 trees, as well as the palatial Château du Champ de Bataille and the commune of Le Bec-Hellouin, known for its 11th-century abbey. Later, enjoy a scenic cruise from Le Havre to Caudebec-en-Caux, where you can visit Museo Seine, a museum focusing on the history of the Seine River. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Rouen | Medieval Rouen walking tour |
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| | OR Château de Vascoeuil and Lyons-la-Forêt excursion |
|
Spend the morning enjoying medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions. Join a walking tour past the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and see the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, as well as the Medieval Quarter and Great Clock. You also have the choice to explore Lyons-la-Forêt, built on the site of a former fortress and featuring remarkable centuries-old architecture, as well as the idyllic castle Vascoeuil with its octagonal tower, art exhibitions and sculpture park. Or go on the “Tastes of Normandy” tour, where you’ll be treated to the delicious flavors of the region, including chocolate, macaron, Norman cheese and cider. Later in the day, bike through Rouen or experience another local château, the Gothic Château d’Etelan, where you may see the medieval cellar, castle wall and guard house dating back to 1350. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Vernon | Giverny tour and Château de Bizy with Cider and Calvados tasting |
|
| | OR Château de Gaillon & Gardens d'Acquigny |
|
Take in the scenery on a scenic cruise before disembarking the ship to experience the colorful splendor of Claude Monet’s magnificent gardens at his former home in Giverny, admiring the water lilies, Japanese bridges and graceful willow trees immortalized in his paintings. Then, visit the Château de Bizy, once referred to as “the Versailles of Normandy,” featuring a majestic courtyard, beautiful furnishings and a charming park embellished with fountains, waterfalls, and water jets, all of which evoke the Baroque splendor of the 18th century. Enjoy a tour of the salons, tasting of Normandy's celebrated apple ciders and some delicious Norman cheeses. For a more active adventure, pedal through Vernon on a guided bike tour. Or journey to Château de Gaillon, a picturesque Renaissance-style castle, as well as the beautiful Gardens d’Acquigny, boasting waterfalls, bridges, canals and a wide variety of trees and plant life. Later in the day, cruise to La Roche-Guyon where you’ll be treated to free time to explore the city on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | La Roche | Calvados, cider and cheese tasting |
|
| | OR Bike tour to Mantes-la-Jolie |
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| Mantes-la-Jolie | City tour with bee farm visit |
|
Experience the world through your taste buds and join a tasting tour during which you’ll get a chance to try the region’s famous apple-based calvados, cider and cheese. Or pedal to the French commune of Mantes-La-Jolie, founded in the early Middle Ages. If you prefer to sit back and relax, stay aboard the ship and watch the scenery go by as you sail to Mantes-La-Jolie instead. During the afternoon, go on a city tour during which you may see some of Mantes-La-Jolie’s beautiful religious structures, like the Gothic Notre Dame de Mantes, followed by a unique visit to a local bee farm. Alternatively, enhance your best self with a hike to a lookout point and enjoy the wonderful panorama view on the Seine River. Or visit the distinctive Château d’Anet, an elegant Renaissance château built in the 16th century by King Henri II for his mistress, Diane de Poiters. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Paris | “City of Light” tour |
|
Enjoy some of Paris’s most famous sights during your panoramic tour. You will be guided through the charming Latin Quarter, home to the world-famous Sorbonne University, and through the stunning 400-year-old Luxembourg Gardens, created by King Henry IV’s widow, Marie de’ Medici. Afterward, travel through Paris and see such sights as the Champs-Élysées with its cinemas, sidewalk cafes and luxury specialty shops; the Arc de Triomphe; and the Eiffel Tower. You may choose instead to pedal through the city or immerse yourself in a sensory experience at Paris’s Musée du Vin wine museum. (B,L,D)
Disembark your ship in Paris and prepare for your return flight home. (B)
Check into the Paris Airport hotel and prepare for your pre-cruise land extension
Day 2 | St. Malo | Transfer to St. Malo with a visit to Chartres Cathedral |
|
Depart Paris and transfer to St. Malo. En route, visit Chartres Cathedral, an elaborate and beautifully-designed Roman Catholic church that serves as the seat of the Diocese of Chartres. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the cathedral is considered a masterpiece and the high point of French Gothic art. (B)
Day 3 | St. Malo | St. Malo, Dinard and Dinan tours |
|
Explore the walled city of St. Malo, the history of which is steeped in piracy. Gaze at turquoise waters and such sites as the castle and its towers, the Fort National, partially built by famed military architect Vauban, and the cathedral of Saint-Vincent. You’ll also venture to Dinard, with its Belle Èpoque villas, as well as to Dinan, one of Brittany’s most beautiful and best preserved towns, known for its art galleries and crafts. (B)
Day 4 | St. Malo | Mont St. Michel excursion |
|
Discover the magical island monastery of Mont St. Michel, built by the same Italian architect who designed Fècamp Abbey in Normandy. Appearing as though out of a fairytale, Mont St. Michel served as the artistic inspiration for the Disney movie about Rapunzel, Tangled. (B)
Day 5 | St. Malo | Transfer to St. Malo with Fourgères visit |
|
Board your ship in Paris for your Impressions of the Seine & Paris cruise. (D)
Day 6 | Le Havre | Honfleur excursion |
|
| | OR Full-day Normandy Beaches |
|
| | OR Palais Bénédictine a Fécamp |
|
There are several different choices of excursions, both during the morning and afternoon, depending on your interests. You can choose between an excursion to the seaside town of Honfleur, renowned for its picturesque harbor, and for being an inspirational site for Impressionist painters. Alternatively, you can also choose a full-day excursion to see the historic Normandy Beaches, where you may visit such sites as the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer and the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings can be seen. you have the choice of a bike tour through Le Havre. Later in the day, for those not on the full-day excursion, join a city tour of the UNESCO-designated Le Havre, pedal through it on a guided bike tour or visit the Palais Bénédictine a Fécamp, where you’ll be treated to a tasting of an herbal elixir, la Bénédictine, developed during the Renaissance and blended with 27 plants and spices. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Le Havre | Bayeux and Caen tours |
|
| | OR Harcourt Arboretum, Château du Champ de Bataille and Le Bec Hellouin /dd> |
|
| Caudebec-en-Caux | Museo Seine |
|
Visit Bayeux, with a medieval city center and the world-renowned Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the 1066 Norman invasion of England, followed by a visit to Caen, where one of the top sites is the Château de Caen, an 11th-century castle built by William the Conqueror. Or instead, admire the 30-acre Harcourt Arboretum, with its nearly 3,000 trees, as well as the palatial Château du Champ de Bataille and the commune of Le Bec-Hellouin, known for its 11th-century abbey. Later, enjoy a scenic cruise from Le Havre to Caudebec-en-Caux, where you can visit Museo Seine, a museum focusing on the history of the Seine River. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Rouen | Medieval Rouen walking tour |
|
| | OR Château de Vascoeuil and Lyons-la-Forêt excursion |
|
Spend the morning enjoying medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions. Join a walking tour past the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, painted numerous times by Monet, and see the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, as well as the Medieval Quarter and Great Clock. You also have the choice to explore Lyons-la-Forêt, built on the site of a former fortress and featuring remarkable centuries-old architecture, as well as the idyllic castle Vascoeuil with its octagonal tower, art exhibitions and sculpture park. Or go on the “Tastes of Normandy” tour, where you’ll be treated to the delicious flavors of the region, including chocolate, macaron, Norman cheese and cider. Later in the day, bike through Rouen or experience another local château, the Gothic Château d’Etelan, where you may see the medieval cellar, castle wall and guard house dating back to 1350. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Vernon | Giverny tour and Château de Bizy with Cider and Calvados tasting |
|
| | OR Château de Gaillon & Gardens d'Acquigny |
|
Take in the scenery on a scenic cruise before disembarking the ship to experience the colorful splendor of Claude Monet’s magnificent gardens at his former home in Giverny, admiring the water lilies, Japanese bridges and graceful willow trees immortalized in his paintings. Then, visit the Château de Bizy, once referred to as “the Versailles of Normandy,” featuring a majestic courtyard, beautiful furnishings and a charming park embellished with fountains, waterfalls, and water jets, all of which evoke the Baroque splendor of the 18th century. Enjoy a tour of the salons, tasting of Normandy's celebrated apple ciders and some delicious Norman cheeses. For a more active adventure, pedal through Vernon on a guided bike tour. Or journey to Château de Gaillon, a picturesque Renaissance-style castle, as well as the beautiful Gardens d’Acquigny, boasting waterfalls, bridges, canals and a wide variety of trees and plant life. Later in the day, cruise to La Roche-Guyon where you’ll be treated to free time to explore the city on your own. (B,L,D)
Day 10 | La Roche | Calvados, cider and cheese tasting |
|
| | OR Bike tour to Mantes-la-Jolie |
|
| Mantes-la-Jolie | City tour with bee farm visit |
|
Experience the world through your taste buds and join a tasting tour during which you’ll get a chance to try the region’s famous apple-based calvados, cider and cheese. Or pedal to the French commune of Mantes-La-Jolie, founded in the early Middle Ages. If you prefer to sit back and relax, stay aboard the ship and watch the scenery go by as you sail to Mantes-La-Jolie instead. During the afternoon, go on a city tour during which you may see some of Mantes-La-Jolie’s beautiful religious structures, like the Gothic Notre Dame de Mantes, followed by a unique visit to a local bee farm. Alternatively, enhance your best self with a hike to a lookout point and enjoy the wonderful panorama view on the Seine River. Or visit the distinctive Château d’Anet, an elegant Renaissance château built in the 16th century by King Henri II for his mistress, Diane de Poiters. (B,L,D)
Day 11 | Paris | “City of Light” tour |
|
Enjoy some of Paris’s most famous sights during your panoramic tour. You will be guided through the charming Latin Quarter, home to the world-famous Sorbonne University, and through the stunning 400-year-old Luxembourg Gardens, created by King Henry IV’s widow, Marie de’ Medici. Afterward, travel through Paris and see such sights as the Champs-Élysées with its cinemas, sidewalk cafes and luxury specialty shops; the Arc de Triomphe; and the Eiffel Tower. You may choose instead to pedal through the city or immerse yourself in a sensory experience at Paris’s Musée du Vin wine museum. (B,L,D)
Disembark your ship in Paris and prepare for your return flight home. (B)