The Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise - MS Jane Austen - 8 Days - River Cruises

8 Days - River Cruises

Cruise through the heart of Normandy along the majestic Seine visiting historic sites that have shaped the world today. We continue our journey along the Seine before exploring the delights of Rouen, one of Europe’s finest medieval cities with its stunning cathedral. We moor in the pretty village of Caudebec with time after dinner for an evening stroll in this typical French village. Then to Bayeux, home to the legendary Bayeux tapestry. We also see some of the many thought-provoking monuments and places along the Normandy coast and reflect on the remarkable story of the D-Day landings on our visit to Gold Beach and the remnants of Mulberry Harbour. We arrive in Vernon and take the short drive to Giverny, visiting Claude Monet’s home and one of the world’s most famous gardens. Enjoy the streets of Vernon before we continue to one of the world’s most romantic cities, Paris. From the Arc de Triomphe to the Eiffel Tour, the Louvre to the Pompidou Centre, this breathtaking city never fails to inspire no matter how many times you get the chance to visit. See all French river cruises

Highlights

Happy by day two or we'll bring you home with a full refund
Glide through the typical landscapes of the Seine before discovering the story behind the remarkable Château Gaillard.
Explore Normandy's capital, Rouen, where you'll visit the Place du Vieux-Marché.
Visit the remarkable Bayeux Tapestry which tells the story of the 1066 Norman invasion in Britain before exploring Arromanches and the 'longest day' museum.
Drive to Giverny to visit Monet's house and garden and explore Vernon's quaint buildings.
Immerse yourself in the centre of Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees and Sacre-Coeur.
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Inclusions

Prices are per person, based on two people sharing a twin cabin with a limited number of sole occupancy cabins available on all decks, at the relevant supplement. The price includes:
All meals on board (except one lunch on Day 4) - from dinner on your day of arrival until breakfast on your final day - including welcome cocktails and the Captain's dinner.
Complimentary on-board tea and coffee
All visits and excursions as mentioned
Airport/station transfers
Coach travel as mentioned
Travel to and from port of embarkation
The services of a Riviera Travel cruise director and concierge

1

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. 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. This evening is the Captain’s Dinner, hosted of course by the Captain himself. Featuring specialities of the regions through which we have travelled, it’s a truly memorable experience.

2

We have arrived in Paris and this morning we take a sightseeing tour of this amazing capital, one of the world’s most iconic cities. The Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées, Sacré-Coeur – you’ll see all these and much more. The grand Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the city, shows off 18th-century French architecture at its best, and just over the Seine on the Left Bank you’ll find the Musée d’Orsay, home of the world’s finest Impressionist art collection. Then there’s the eccentrically modern and yet stylish Pompidou Centre, famous not only for its exhibits but also for street entertainment. Notre-Dame Cathedral and the delicate spire of the sublime Saint-Chapelle dominate the Ile de la Cité, while the exquisite Tuileries Gardens are perfect for a stroll. After lunch on board you could visit fine shops such as the Galeries Lafayette or those in the smart arcaded Rue de Rivoli, or perhaps wander around the café-lined streets of bohemian Montmartre. Paris is everything you imagine it to be – romantic, inspiring, vibrant – even outrageous – but best of all Paris is unique, and a fitting finale to a wonderful cruise.

Cruise Overview

Click here to take a virtual tour of the MS Jane Austen How can one adequately sum up the wonderfully elegant five-star MS Jane Austen? Launched in 2015 and built to the most exacting standards, how can we describe this extraordinary vessel that’s truly one of the finest ships of its type afloat anywhere in the world? Quite simply, every single aspect and element is designed to the highest possible specification and our own exacting standards to bring you the very best and most enjoyable river cruising experience, in the most luxurious comfort. We have worked tirelessly with our Swiss partner Scylla AG, one of the world’s most experienced luxury river ship builders with a pedigree stretching back over nearly 40 years, to design the perfect vessel, with virtually no expense spared. You’ll feel the unmistakable understated opulence of this extraordinary vessel as you board through the spacious, marble-floored lobby. Stylish furnishings using environmentally friendly materials are beautifully combined with the most advanced safety systems… and the work of a wonderful designer’s eye conjuring up the classic lines and sophistication of a luxurious ocean liner. As always, the finesse is in the detail - beautifully crafted tropical hardwoods, wrought iron, highly polished copper and brass, all beautifully illuminated then added to soft leather furnishings and imaginative colour schemes, promotes a subtle, chic ambience of exceptional taste. Intuitive, unobtrusive service is graceful, efficient yet friendly as you might expect from a Swiss operated ship with 35 staff serving just 140 guests. This outstanding ratio of 4:1 allows a personal touch which makes such a difference to your cruise. Plus unlike other vessels typically carrying up to 200 passengers, you’ll enjoy simply far more space – as well as a smaller, more intimate dining experience. For information about life on board our European river cruise ships, including dining, lounges, bars and FAQs click here