7-night Best of the Seine with Paris & Normandy Cruise

Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.

Destination Guide

At the gateway to Normandy, 75 km from Paris and 60 km from Rouen, the village of Giverny (pronounced Jee-va-nyee) is located on the right bank of the River Seine, at its confluence with one of the two branches of the River Epte lined with willows and poplars. But Giverny rises to fame in 1883 when the painter Claude Monet discovered the village whilst looking out of the train window (the line has since closed down). Monet was enthusiastic about the spot. He found a large house to rent, "the Press House". By the end of April he had moved in with Alice Hoschedé, his lady-friend, his two sons and her six children. The house was a farmhouse with a vegetable garden and an orchard of over one hectare. At the time there were about 300 inhabitants in Giverny, most of them farmers, and a few middle-class families. The village consists of two streets on the hillside lined with low houses in a pink or green roughcast with slate roofs, their walls covered with wisteria and Virginia creeper. These streets are crossed by narrow lanes running down the hill. The Claude Monet Road runs straight to the village. The "Chemin du Roy" (Secondary Road 5) follows the banks of the River Epte. Claude Monet's house lies between the two roads.

Destination Guide

Normandy is a land rich in history which is also perceived by the French as being endless miles of green countryside with abundant apple trees, cattle, creamy culinary specialities and fine cheese. For the Parisians, Normandy is the closest seashore to the city and attracts many artists and wealthy individuals who enjoy spending their week-ends in the elegant resort of Deauville.

Destination Guide

Excursions

Le Havre - Shore Excursion Etretat / Fecamp - 8 hours — Optional Private Excursions
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of Etretat & Fecamp
 
HIGHLIGHTS:
Etretat is found in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, 20 kilometres north of Le Havre. The town is on the Normandy coast, and is renowned for its 70 metre high picture postcard white cliffs, and the arches and tunnels in the cliffs that jut out to sea, and a large rock needle. Both the cliffs and village are the scenic highlight of the region and not to be missed if you visiting this part of Normandy.

Fecamp is situated between cliffs and has a medium sized pleasure boats harbor and a fishing harbor. There are several shopping streets, museums, restaurants and a cathedral.

End of the tour at your ship

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light

Package includes

• Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
• English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal 
• All entrance fees
• All tax and Vat 

Le Havre - Shore Excursion Flower Coast - 8 hours — Optional Private Excursions
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of  the Flower coast
 
HIGHLIGHTS
You will take the coast road out of the town and pass through the seaside villages along the way, complete with their old whaling stations, such as Trouville, Villers sur Mer and Houlgate. If you wish you can follow in the footsteps of the American Film Festival at the “Planches de Deauville”, or visit the sumptuous casino to be found in this holiday town.

A visit to Honfleur is in itself a complete history lesson, from the 100 years war, through the voyages of discovery to the New World during the 17th century to the art of the impressionists. As a defense against invasion by the English the town was walled and fortified during the second half of the 14th century.
 
 
End of the tour at your ship

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light'

Package includes
- English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal 
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat 

Does not include 
- Lunch 
- Gratuities 
- Travel insurance and personal expenses 

Departure dates : all day , all year  
May 1st - due to French law, cost double 

Le Havre - Shore Excursion Normandy Landing Beaches - 8 hours — Optional Private Excursions
Meet your private English speaking driver guide who will wait for you with a nominative board at the main exit of your ship and depart for a visit of  the Normandy Landing Beaches
 
HIGHLIGHTS
Departure for a full day to relive all instants that made Normandy, on June 6th, 1944, the most important battlefield of the 20th century history. From Bloody Omaha to Gold Beach, you will get your fill of emotions, through various sites, on the roads taken by our liberators during the Overlord Operation, while appreciating the story of our guides.
The Pointe du Hoc battlefield, which remained intact after the rangers’ assault, will carry you away to the heart of the fierce battle conducted by the first wave on the orders of the colonel Rudder.
                                            
End of the tour at your ship

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: NO
Physical Activity Level: Light

Package includes
- Transportation: pick up/drop off at the Port
-  English speaking licensed driver guide with a deluxe car with AC at disposal 
- All entrance fees
- All tax and Vat 

Does not include 
- Lunch 
- Gratuities 
- Travel insurance and personal expenses 

Departure dates : all day , all year  
May 1st - due to French law, cost double 

Settled by the Celts, Rouen really flourished in the Middle Ages. In a natural amphitheater on the Seine, the capital of Normandy is important as a commercial and cultural center. Today the city is a blend of ancient and modern. Rouen is known as the City of a Hundred Spires; many of its important edifices are churches. The most magnificent one is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture immortalized in Claude Monet's series "Cathedrales de Rouen." Surrounding the large square are picturesque half-timbered houses with steeply pointed roofs. The wealth of architectural treasures and the ambience of Rouen’s historic center will impress any visitor. Exploring the narrow, cobbled streets in the old quarter is a must. The giant clock above the archway spanning the Rue du Gros Horloge is a focal point and famous emblem. Rouen is connected to the sea by the Seine Valley. The city serves as a starting point for trips to Paris and to Norman castles and abbeys.

Destination Guide

Excursions

Le Havre: D-Day Beaches - 9 hours — Optional Private Excursions
The numerous monuments and memorials on the Normandy coastal area bear witness to the fierce fighting that took place here during and after the D-Day Landings of World War II. Your driver-guide meets you after you have departed your cruise ship and takes you on a full-day tour of the American Sector to visit some of the most important sites of this pivotal point in the war.

Your day starts on the famous coastline at Pointe du Hoc, which the US Rangers scaled, demonstrating a triumph of planning, training and execution by elite and well-led troops. Further eastwards along the coast is the sector known as Omaha Beach, also captured by invading American forces, and where you can examine several sites from both the German and US perspectives. You also hear about Operation Aquatint, a failed 1942 British Commando raid on the area. Your day ends with a poignant visit to the US Military Cemetery and Interpretation Centre at Colleville-sur-Mer, the final resting place of over 9300 US soldiers located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach. You are transferred back to your cruise ship from here.

Highlights:

• Visit Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach; two of the most significant D-Day sites

Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.

Destination Guide

Paris, world capital of art and culture, gathers some of the most famous museums and monuments in the world. Like all the world's great capitals, Paris lives at a fast pace, by day, by night and especially at rush hours. Bear in mind that museums and monuments are often less crowded during the week. Sights that should not be missed include: The Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Visit any of the many others according to your tastes and interests: the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, Musee Carnavalet, Musee Marmottan and the Arab Institute are just a few. Essential Paris monuments are the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe or the Grande Arche de la Defense.

Destination Guide