7 nights from

£2295

Impressions of the Seine

Sailing through scenery which inspired Impressionist artists, Monet and Manet, Gaugin and Renoir, this is a river cruise through the romance of France, from the country’s inimitable capital, via historic towns, abbeys, chateaux, and harbours, to coastal Honfleur

Rolling round the Paris basin, about midway on its 776km route to the English Channel, the splendid Seine cuts through the capital at just 24m above sea level; held between high embankments, busy with bateaux-mouches boats, crossed by the 17th century Pont Neuf (among 37 bridges), and passing Notre Dame Cathedral, the Musée d’Orsay and Eiffel Tower. From its ‘traversée de Paris’ section, it becomes the Basse (lower) Seine, looping and meandering through beautiful bucolic scenery, passing orchards, abbeys, and grand chateaux, and dropping through locks on its slow flow to Rouen. Now deep enough for oceangoing vessels, it is the tidal Seine Maritime until journey’s end beneath the impressive Pont de Normandie, the long bridge linking Honfleur and Le Havre. Your river cruiser for this return journey is either the elegant MS Seine Princess or MS Botticelli, which carry you in style to visit Claude Monet’s house and garden in Giverny; haunting monasteries on the Road of Abbeys; Honfleur’s old harbour, chic Deauville, and a castle distillery of Calvados on the Coast of Flowers; medieval monuments in the heart of historic Rouen; and a glimpse of rural Normandy life in riverbank villages and the Château Martainville museum.

Overview

  • Days 1 & 2   - Paris
  • Day 3   - Vernon / Giverny
  • Day 4   - Duclair
  • Day 5   - Honfleur
  • Day 6   - Rouen
  • Day 7   - Les Andelys
  • Day 8   - Return Journey
Book Tour

Tour Highlights

  • Culture & Riverscapes
  • Excursions Included
  • Drinks Included
  • Jules Verne Representative

Sailing through scenery which inspired Impressionist artists, Monet and Manet, Gaugin and Renoir, this is a river cruise through the romance of France, from the country’s inimitable capital, via historic towns, abbeys, chateaux, and harbours, to coastal Honfleur

Notes:

Cabins are available from 5pm on arrival and until 9am on departure (before/after this, luggage storage on board is possible).

Whilst the vessel carries more, the group size specified refers to transfers and excursions.

The programme may be altered due to navigational factors with locks, water levels or congestion at certain sites.

Vessels

MS Seine Princess

A premium vessel launched in 2001 and refurbished in 2012 to a high standard. The MS Seine Princess is registered in France with a mainly European crew and announcements in French and English. For 20 years Jules Verne has been the main UK partner of the innovative French cruise company, CroisiEurope, established over 40 years ago, now boasting the largest European river fleet (over 40 ships), yet still operated by the same family. All drinks, except premium brands are included throughout the cruise. Enjoy International and French cuisine with a choice of wines in an elegant one-sitting dining room. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner waiter service with the occasional buffet. Reception, lounge bar with small dance floor, sun deck, lift and WiFi (free/limited). 67 air-conditioned cabins over two decks with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, satellite TV and picture windows. 24 twin/double cabins (140 sq. ft.) on the Upper Deck and 43 twin/double cabins (140 sq. ft.) on the Main Deck.

MS Botticelli

Launched in 2004 and refurbished in 2016 to a high standard, the MS Botticelli is registered in France with a mainly European crew and announcements in French and English. For 20 years Jules Verne has been the main UK partner of the innovative French cruise company, CroisiEurope, established 40 years ago, now boasting the largest European river fleet (over 40 ships), yet still operated by the same family. All drinks, except premium brands are included throughout the cruise. Enjoy International and French cuisine with a choice of wines in an elegant one-sitting dining room. Breakfast is a buffet, lunch and dinner waiter service with the occasional buffet. Reception, lounge bar with small dance floor, sundeck and WiFi (free/limited). 75 air-conditioned cabins over two decks with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, satellite TV and picture windows. 24 twin/double cabins on the Upper Deck and 50 twin/double cabins and one single cabin on the Main Deck.

Notes:

May 2024 will cruise on the MS Botticelli.
September 2024 will cruise on the MS Seine Princess.

Optional Excursions

Optional Morning Panoramic Tour of Paris

Departure by coach with a guide to discover the mythical sites of the capital. Since its foundation as Lutèce on the Ile de la Cité, two thousand years of history have seen ecclesiastics, sovereigns and heads of state leave their mark on the city, building churches, erecting monuments and palaces, creating prestigious museums and outlining sumptuous perspectives. Its distinguished couturiers, perfumers and jewelers have strongly built up Paris's reputation for taste and elegance. A city of festivities, theaters and famous cabarets, Paris also glows from the sparkle and shine of its well-known revues. Our coach will take you past Bercy, the F. Mitterrand National Library, the Bastille, the Marais, the Latin Quarter, St Germain, the Louvre, the Pyramid, the Opéra Garnier, Place Vendôme, the Concorde, the Champs Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe, the Invalides, the Trocadéro and of course the famous Eiffel Tower. Return to the boat at Quai de Grenelle.

Afternoon tour to Versailles

Departure by coach in the company of your hostess for a visit to the Château de Versailles. Listed as a World Heritage Site for thirty years, the Château de Versailles is considered to be one of the finest achievements of French art from the 17th century. Louis XIII's former hunting lodge was transformed and enlarged by his son Louis XIV, who fixed the Court and government of France here in 1682. Until the French Revolution, one king followed another, each embellishing the Château in his turn. When you arrive, your guide will take you through the King's Grand Apartment. These seven successive rooms were intended to serve as a Parade Apartment, that is to say for the sovereign's official business. This is why it was decorated with the most splendid riches and based on the model of Italian palaces of the time. During daytime, it was open to all, French and foreigners, who came to see the king, and it was reserved for the Court three evenings a week. Afterwards, you'll go through the Hall of Mirrors, known in the 17th century as the "Great Gallery" and which was where courtesans would wait, meet or just pass through every day. This 75m-long, 10m-wide and 12m-high hall was designed by Mansart in. The principal feature of this hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens. You tour will end with a visit to the Queen's Apartments, where the Queen would host the ladies of the Court when she rose in the morning and granted private audiences. After visiting the Château, you will still have a little free time to discover the fabulous formal French gardens created by André Le Notre for Louis XIV. Return on board by coach.

Departures & Prices

per person in a twin/double Main Deck cabin 
Eurostar from London St. Pancras 

May
May 21 (Tuesday)
  • Sold out
September
September 18 (Wednesday)
Price Includes:

Rail or air travel and taxes, all port charges, transfers, 7-night cruise, full board and drinks on cruise vessel, excursions, Jules Verne Representative, local expert guides and representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.

Not Included:

Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.

Supplements per person

Upgrades
  • Upper Deck Standard Twin/Double Cabin
  • £165
  • Main Deck Standard Single Cabin
  • £535
  • Upper Deck Standard Single Cabin
  • £720
Flight & Rail Options
  • easyJet from Manchester
  • On request, please call
  • Eurostar Standard Premier Class
  • £225
Optional Excursions
  • Afternoon tour to Versailles (2024)
  • £90
  • Optional Morning Panoramic Tour of Paris (2024)
  • £55
Tour Only
  • Save
  • £125
  • Arrival or departure transfer (airport)
  • £85
  • Arrival or departure transfer (train station)
  • £65

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