Great Rail Journeys
Biarritz & Bordeaux Cruise
Ten-day escorted French trip pairing rail travel with a Bordeaux river cruise
10 daysfrom $4,005
40% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted River Cruise
Gardens of the Loire Valley & Seine Cruise
Explore famous châteaux of the verdant Loire Valley, relax in the town of Blois, then join a cruise along the Seine and explore Monet's garden at Giverny & Rouen.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Tours
To medieval Tours, 'gateway to the Loire Valley'
Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras before boarding the Eurostar to Paris. Change for the rail service to Tours, known as the 'Gateway to the Loire Valley'. Tours' medieval centre features half-timbered houses and the Place Plumereau in the heart of the Old Town. Visit the jaw-dropping St Gatien Cathedral with its two ornate towers, superb stained-glass windows and tombs of French royals. Check in to the hotel for the next three nights and enjoy a welcome dinner together.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Tours
Château de Chenonceau and Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Lucé
Excursion to the iconic Château de Chenonceau, spanning the River Cher, a fine example of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and the second-most visited château in France. After exploring the château and its picturesque fountain gardens, travel by coach to Amboise, once the home of Leonardo da Vinci. Visit the artist's former manor house, Clos Lucé, filled with his fascinating inventions. Return to the hotel in the early evening with the rest of the day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 3overnight: Tours
History and beauty at Château de Chaumont
Travel by coach from Tours to Château de Chaumont. First constructed in 1000 AD, the original castle was razed by Louis XI and rebuilt in the 15th century with fairytale turrets and gateways. Set on the banks of the Loire River, the grounds were transformed into an ornamental garden in the late 1800s. Enjoy a guided tour of the gardens followed by free time to explore halls adorned with stunning artwork, vibrant flower beds, manicured lawns and ornate sculptures. Return to the hotel in the early evening and dine independently.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 4railovernight: MS Amadeus Diamond (Conflans St Honorine)
Boarding our ship in Paris
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of the hotel in Tours and transferring to the station for the rail journey to Paris. In the early afternoon, board the MS Amadeus Diamond where a welcome drink awaits. Relax on the sundeck before sailing along the Seine. Enjoy a five-course dinner paired with complimentary drinks as the ship begins cruising down the Seine toward Conflans St Honorine.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: MS Amadeus Diamond (sailing)
Discovering van Gogh's inspiration in Auvers-sur-Oise
Wake up in Conflans St Honorine at the confluence of the rivers Oise and Seine. After breakfast, travel to Auvers-sur-Oise, renowned for its scenic charm and artistic heritage. Discover timeless cottages, rustic windmills and verdant fields that inspired Impressionist artists including Van Gogh, Daubigny, Cézanne and Pissarro. Van Gogh's final resting place is here. Return onboard in the afternoon for a gentle overnight sail with dinner and drinks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 6overnight: MS Amadeus Diamond (sailing)
Exploring Rouen, the jewel of Normandy
Dock in Rouen, the former capital of Normandy, for a guided tour following the Impressionists' footsteps. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts and its vast collection of Impressionist work. See Rouen Cathedral, depicted in over 30 oil paintings by Claude Monet. Also visit the Church of Joan of Arc, situated in the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, featuring magnificent 16th-century stained-glass windows. Continue the cruise along the picturesque Seine valley in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: MS Amadeus Diamond (Le Havre/Honfleur)
Honfleur's artistry and a guest talk on the Normandy landings
Sail to Le Havre while renowned British military history expert Piers Storie-Pugh delivers a fascinating talk on the Allied D-Day landings. After lunch on the ship, visit the charming port town of Honfleur on the southern bank of the Seine Estuary, with its stunning old harbour lined with narrow colourful buildings, cobbled streets, half-timbered houses, boutiques and art galleries. Return to the ship in the evening for a five-course dinner and performances of French ballads from local chanson singers.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: MS Amadeus Diamond (sailing)
Normandy's legacy and beauty
Sail to Caudebec-en-Caux. Optional full-day excursion by coach (with picnic lunch) to explore historic landmarks including the nearby harbour that played a pivotal role in the liberation of western Europe after D-Day, and the city of Arromanches with its remnants of World War Two Mulberry harbours. Alternatively, stay onboard and enjoy the ship's facilities or views from the sundeck or panoramic bar. Continue the gentle cruise overnight after dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: MS Amadeus Diamond (sailing to Paris)
Château Gaillard and Monet's Garden
Dock in Les Andelys. Optional excursion to the ruins of Château Gaillard, the medieval fortress built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century, before rejoining the ship in Vernon. Visit the renowned beauty of Monet's Garden in Vernon/Giverny, with delicate hues bursting from flower beds and the artist's Japanese arched-bridge framing ponds of water lilies. After lunch onboard, spend the rest of the day sailing into scenic river landscapes en route to Paris.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: MS Amadeus Diamond (Paris)
Enchanting Paris or stately Versailles
Wake up in Paris. Choose between two optional excursions: a guided tour of Paris visiting the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and the Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur on Montmartre; or a visit to the opulent Palace of Versailles with its Hall of Mirrors and meticulously landscaped gardens. The afternoon is at leisure to immerse in Parisian culture before the final night onboard, marked with a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 11rail
Homeward bound
After a final breakfast, disembark from the ship in Paris. Board the Eurostar for the journey back to London, arriving at St Pancras in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Escorted throughout by experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
- 3 nights' 4-star hotel accommodation
- 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Diamond
- Excellent service onboard
- Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
- Eurostar Standard Class travel
- Standard Class rail travel throughout
- All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
- Breakfast each day
- 6 lunches
- 8 dinners including a spectacular gala dinner
- Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
- Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
- Superb excursions included
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Tips/gratuities (left to guest discretion)
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