Day 3
Rouen
We awake in Rouen, Normandy’s capital, one of Europe’s finest medieval cities and scene of many momentous events over the centuries. Pride of place on our guided tour of the city belongs to its stunning Gothic cathedral, which was immortalised by the great Impressionist Claude Monet in a series of 28 paintings showing the facade at varying times of day and in different weather conditions. Briefly becoming the world’s tallest building when the soaring spire was added in the 19th century, the cathedral is also notable for the recumbent statue reputedly containing the heart of Richard the Lionheart.
Rouen’s beautifully tangled alleyways are a revelation, lined with antique shops, tasteful boutiques and, of course, countless restaurants serving exceptional local cuisine emphasising the country’s outstanding gastronomic heritage. The Place du Vieux-Marché is one of the city’s most poignant spots; a large cross marks the point where the ‘Maid of Orléans’ Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for her beliefs.
Cruise towards Caudebec-en-Caux
During another superb lunch we cast off to navigate through yet more twists and turns, chalk cliffs and a landscape of forest-covered hills that are designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty and sanctuaries for diverse wildlife, including deer and wild boar. Another highlight of the valley soon greets us – the ethereal ruins of Jumièges Abbey. Founded in the 7th century, it was consecrated in the presence of William the Conqueror and was an important political and religious centre until it was sacked in the 16th century.
Should you wish, why not arrange to visit the wheelhouse, the Captain is always delighted to explain to those interested how the highly sophisticated navigation and safety systems operate. In the late afternoon, we moor in the pretty town of Caudebec-en-Caux.Â
After dinner, enjoy the laid-back tones of a guitarist singing traditional French melodies.
Included experiences:
Guided tour of Rouen
Free afternoon on board, sailing towards Caudebec-en-Caux
Visit to Caudebec-en-Caux
A French guitarist performance on board
Day 4
After breakfast, you'll be ready for a full-day tour, with a choice to visit the landing beaches, or taste some of Normandy’s typical produce.Â
Bayeux and the D-Day beaches
Our first stop, Bayeux is a delightful town with a historic core that escaped the ravages of war, so you can still marvel at its many splendid buildings, including the grand Gothic cathedral, crowned by a stately copper-clad tower. But, of course, Bayeux is most famous as the home of the tapestry telling the story of the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 in glorious detail, which we'll see today.
From here, we'll travel to the nearby Bayeux War Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth Cemetery of WWII France. It's impossible not to be moved by the rows of graves and our visit is a poignant reminder of the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Please note Bayeux Tapestry Museum is closed from September 2025. This visit will be replaced with a visit to Longues sur Mer battery later in the day.
This afternoon, we'll drive to Arromanches, where you will have free time for lunch. Then enjoy a visit to a museum dedicated to the 'longest day' where you can still see remnants of the two Mulberry harbours constructed for the landing craft.
Leaving Arromanches, we continue to the British Normandy Memorial – unveiled in 2021, the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings. From here, you have the best point of view of Gold Beach, one of the five main landing sites on D-Day, when Allied forces surged into Normandy to begin the liberation of occupied Europe. Casting your eyes across the sand to the water's edge, it's sobering to consider that on 6 June 1944, around 25,000 British troops came ashore on this one beach, 400 of which were killed by the defenders. We will then drive back to the ship moored in Caudebec, crossing Pegasus Bridge which was captured by British airborne forces in a daring assault aiding the success of the Allied D-day landings in Normandy.
Taste of Normandy
Alternatively, today you could embark on a tasting tour of Normandy.
Our first stop is a local cheese dairy, passed down from father to son, which specialises in the production of Livarot, Pont-l’Eveque, Camembert de Normandie, and Neufchatel. These are all Protected Designations of Origin cheese, making this one of the only places in the world that can make them. After learning more about the cheese-making methods, we'll get to taste these delicious varieties for ourselves, savouring the authentic flavours of traditional cheese.
Next, we'll head to Lisieux, a venerable medieval town in the heart of the Calvados region, which gave its name to the popular local brandy distilled from apple cider. Popular with Catholic Pilgrams, here you'll have free time to explore the extravagant 20th-century hillside basilica or its medieval cathedral. Perhaps, you'll simply enjoy a leisurely lunch in one of the restaurants and cafés.
We'll then travel to a family-run estate, located by the sea, to learn more about two of Normandy's most iconic drinks - cider and calvados (apple brandy). The farm’s 25 hectares of orchards are home to apple and pear trees enabling the production of vinegar, apple juice, cider, pommeau, calvados and pure apple brandies. After learning the secrets of production, we'll have the pleasure of sampling some of their produce for ourselves before returning to our ship in Caudebec.
As we make our way back to the ship, thoughts turn again to the culinary delights awaiting you in the refined comfort of the ship’s restaurant.
Please note -Â lunch is not provided on either excursion.
Included experiences:
Option 1: Tour of Bayeux and the Normandy D-Day beaches
Option 2: Taste of Normandy tour with visits to cider and cheese farms
Day 5
Honfleur
Honfleur is often regarded as the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast, and after breakfast we make the short journey to this delightful town and enjoy a guided tour. Its old harbour, sheltering both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is beautifully preserved and surrounded by a perfect waterfront of pastel-coloured 16th- to 18th-century houses, many converted to seafood restaurants.
Watch the talented artists capturing the captivating views along the waterfront, while the intricate maze of streets behind is also well worth discovering. The eaves of the tall half-timbered buildings almost touch, and on the streets below is an abundance of traditional shops selling antiques, books and fine foods. Honfleur’s most famous son is Eugene Boudin, one of the forerunners of Impressionism and a friend of Claude Monet, who also painted the harbour many times.
Choose to return to the ship for lunch, or maybe you wish to explore Honfleur a little longer and sample the seafood in this coastal town with lunch at leisure.
Cruise towards Vernon
This afternoon, we slip our mooring and begin our passage back upstream, retracing the river’s winding course, its huge variety of wildlife, enchanting scenery and forests, all reflected in differing colours in the sparkling waters. Villages slip by, birds glide on thermals rising from the surrounding cliffs, it’s an ideal opportunity to join new friends for a chat. Squeeze in a spot of reading on the Sun Deck or simply recline, letting the gentle breezes lull you into a relaxing doze.
By this stage of your cruise, you’ll be totally unwound, and modern life will seem very distant.
Included experiences:
Guided tour of Honfleur
Free afternoon sailing towards Vernon
Day 6
Claude Monet's house and garden
One of the great delights of river cruising is the magical sensation of waking up in a different place from where you were the night before. This morning the ship has moored in delightful Vernon, and we take the short drive to Giverny to visit Monet’s garden and house.
The artist himself called his garden his ‘most beautiful masterpiece’, and it’s certainly one of the world’s most photographed and painted, ideally viewed in the delicate morning light. In the Japanese-inspired water garden, shaded by great weeping willows and surrounded by bamboo, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond where he painted his extraordinary Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series. There’s ample time to wander here, absorbing the tranquil atmosphere while marvelling at the light bouncing off foliage of every hue and the magical reflections dancing off the water.
Vernon
After another leisurely lunch on board, you can explore Vernon’s quaint buildings before embarking on our cruise to Paris. As the sun sets on the shimmering Seine and the Norman countryside recedes into dusk, it’s a perfect time to reflect on your few days cruising among the creamy chalk cliffs and charming villages of this splendid river.
Included experiences:
Visit to Claude Monet's house and garden
Visit to Vernon
Day 7
Panoramic Paris tour
For a sightseeing tour of the capital, one of the world's most iconic cities, choose our panoramic coach tour. We'll see many of the outstanding monuments Paris has to offer - including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro, the Musee D'Orsay and much more.
Walking Paris tour
A great choice for the more active, our walking tour of Paris allows you to take a closer look at some of the city's sights. Our 4km walk takes us through Île de la Cité & Marais Quarter, from Place des Vosges - the oldest planned square in Paris - to Palais Royal, the former French royal palace. En route, we'll see Paris' city hall - Hôtel de Ville, the UNESCO-protected Notre-Dame, the world-famous Louvre, and more.
Whichever tour you choose, you'll have the option to return to the ship for lunch, or you are also welcome to stay in the city and relax in one of the city's many cosy cafés.
Free afternoon in Paris
After lunch, your afternoon will be free to enjoy Paris and the many attractions of this world-renowned city. We'll be moored close to a well-connected RER station, which allows easy access for you to tick a few items off your bucket list. You could see the grand Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the city, which shows off 18th-century French architecture at its best, visit Galleries Lafayette - the historic high-end department store - or the Musée d'Orsay, home of the world's finest Impressionist art collection.
Alternatively, you may wish to simply stroll along the Champs Elysees, enjoy a walk in the Tuileries Gardens or perhaps wander through the café lined streets of the city.
Paris is everything you imagine it to be – romantic, inspiring, vibrant – even outrageous – but best of all, Paris is unique, a fitting finale to a wonderful cruise.
After dinner tonight, there's the chance to enjoy more famous French melodies and songs performed by a professional accordionist.
Included experinces:
Morning Option 1: Panoramic guided tour of Paris
Morning Option 2: Guided walking tour of Île de la Cité & Marais Quarter
Free afternoon in Paris
Accordionist performance on board
Personalise your holiday
Montmartre/ Sacré-Coeur guided tour
Price: £71pp
Duration:Â 4hrs
This afternoon, you could join us for a guided tour of Montmartre. A neighbourhood perched on a high hill, Montmartre was originally its own commune before being annexed by Paris in 1860. It's kept its small-town appeal with historic architecture, including meandering streets, steep staircases, lush squares and quaint stores.
We take a petit train (a land train) to Sacré-Coeur, standing in contrast to the bohemian lifestyle that surround it. We'll stop here for time to explore. If you brave the 300 spiralling steps that lead you up to the basilica's dome, you can take in the breathtaking views over Paris – it's said you can see up to 30km on a clear day. Or perhaps you'll simply wander and enjoy watching the musicians performing on the steps before hopping back on the land train, travelling back down the hill and returning to the ship.
Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking at least 30 days before departure. Minimum numbers apply.
Visit to Montparnasse tower
Price: from €22pp (payable locally)
Home to Europe's fastest elevator, the observatory on the 56th floor offers the best view of Paris' skyline. As well as seeing all the landmarks of Paris, the virtual reality kiosks can answer all the questions you've ever wanted to know about the city's sights. Once you've had your fill of the view, why not stop for a drink or a sweet or savoury treat at the 360 café? Then, venture even higher to the rooftop terrace for 360° panoramic views.
Please note - entrance only, this experience can be booked on board through Cruise Concierge.Â
Bateaux Parisien sightseeing cruise
Price: £15pp
Duration:Â 1 hour
Discover the City of Lights from the river with a sightseeing tour along the Seine. Every bend of the Seine, a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, reveals a new view of the city's thousand-year-old history. Equipped with an audioguide in English, you'll be taken on a journey through the stories and anecdotes that have shaped the French capital and see the city's magnificent sites, such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Musée d'Orsay and more.
Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking before departure.Â
Day 8
Return home
It’s time to say goodbye to your crew and start the journey home.