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Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. The same itinerary is still sold by another operator, listed under Also sold by below.

Vacations By Rail · River Cruise

Gardens of the Loire Valley & Seine Cruise

Loire châteaux and Seine river cruise from Tours to Vernon

Illustration of Gardens of the Loire Valley & Seine Cruise

Vacations By Rail operates this 11-day escorted journey blending the châteaux of France's Loire Valley with a leisurely Seine river cruise. The tour opens with three nights based in Tours, the gateway to the Loire Valley, where you visit the Renaissance Château de Chenonceau spanning the River Cher, Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Lucé manor, and Château de Chaumont. From Paris, you board the MS Amadeus Diamond for seven nights sailing through Normandy, exploring the artistic port towns of Honfleur and Rouen (where Monet painted the cathedral), hearing from a military history expert about the D-Day landings, and visiting Monet's Garden at Vernon. Paris and Versailles are available as final-day choices. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director guide throughout. The pace is relaxed, with three consecutive nights in one hotel and seven aboard ship, allowing time to absorb each destination. Travelers receive breakfast daily, six lunches, eight dinners with onboard drinks included, Eurostar rail, and all listed excursions.

What to know before you look closer

  • Day 8 offers a choice between a guided full-day excursion to D-Day landing sites and Arromanches or remaining onboard; the landing sites excursion is optional and may incur extra cost
  • Day 9 excursion to Château Gaillard is optional; Day 10 offers a choice between Paris guided tour or Versailles tour, so your final day activity depends on your preference
  • Hotel accommodation is noted as 4-star in Tours for three nights; other nights (seven total) are onboard the MS Amadeus Diamond river ship
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the stated price

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Tours

    To medieval Tours, the "Gateway to the Loire Valley"

    Meet the Tour Manager at London St. Pancras and board the Eurostar to Paris, changing for the rail service to Tours. Check in to the hotel for the first of three nights, followed by a welcome dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Tours

    Château de Chenonceau and Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Lucé

    An excursion to Château de Chenonceau, spanning the River Cher, then a coach to Amboise to visit Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci's former manor house.

    Meals: Breakfast

  3. Day 3overnight: Tours

    History and beauty at Château de Chaumont

    A coach journey to Château de Chaumont for a guided tour of its gardens and free time to explore the castle, with dinner independently this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ship

    Boarding our ship in Paris

    A rail journey to Paris to board the MS Amadeus Diamond, with a welcome drink and a five-course dinner as the ship sails toward Conflans St. Honorine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    Discovering van Gogh's inspiration in Auvers sur Oise

    An excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, exploring the landscapes immortalized by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Pissarro and Daubigny, followed by a gentle overnight sail.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    Exploring Rouen, the jewel of Normandy

    A guided tour of Rouen following the Impressionists' footsteps, including Rouen Cathedral (depicted by Monet) and the Church of Joan of Arc, with a free afternoon.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    Honfleur's artistry and a guest talk on the Normandy landings

    A talk from military history expert Piers Storie-Pugh on the Allied Normandy landings while sailing to Le Havre, followed by a tour of the port town of Honfleur, with dinner and chanson singers onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Ship

    Normandy's legacy and beauty

    Sailing to Caudebec-en-Caux, with a choice of a full-day guided excursion (with picnic lunch) to D-Day landing sites and Arromanches, or staying onboard to relax.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Ship

    Château Gaillard and Monet's Garden

    Docking in Les Andelys with an optional excursion to the ruins of Château Gaillard, before rejoining the ship in Vernon to visit Monet's Garden, then sailing toward Paris.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Ship

    Enchanting Paris or stately Versailles

    A choice of a guided tour of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and Montmartre, or a visit to the Palace of Versailles, with a farewell dinner onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11rail

    Traveling home

    Disembark after breakfast and board the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Crossing Château de Chenonceau on a coach excursion, the Renaissance castle spanning the River Cher, followed by a visit to Leonardo da Vinci's Clos Lucé manor house in Amboise
  • Day 4Boarding the MS Amadeus Diamond in Paris and sailing toward Conflans St. Honorine with a five-course welcome dinner
  • Day 6A guided tour of Rouen Cathedral, depicted by Monet, and the Church of Joan of Arc, tracing Impressionist pathways through medieval Normandy
  • Day 9An optional excursion to the ruins of Château Gaillard before docking in Vernon to visit Monet's Garden

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 3 nights' 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Diamond
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Eurostar Standard
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 6 lunches, 8 dinners including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The price includes Eurostar Standard from London St. Pancras to Paris and standard class rail service to Tours on Day 1, and return Eurostar on Day 11. All coach and cruise travel is also included.
Which trains are part of this tour?
Eurostar Standard connects London St. Pancras to Paris, with a rail change to Tours on Day 1 and return on Day 11. The itinerary does not name additional trains beyond these.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager and Cruise Director team escorted throughout the 11 days.
What is included in the price from £3,695?
Three nights in a four-star hotel, seven nights aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond, Eurostar Standard, standard class rail and coach travel, breakfasts daily, six lunches, eight dinners, drinks with dinner every cruise night, and all guided excursions listed in the itinerary.
How much walking or physical activity is involved?
The tour rates as Mobility 2, which includes guided walking tours of cities such as Rouen and Honfleur, coach excursions to châteaux, and optional excursions such as a full-day guided visit to D-Day landing sites.
What meals are provided each day?
In the Loire Valley, breakfast is provided daily; dinners are included on Days 1, 4-10. Along the Seine cruise, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided daily except Day 11 (breakfast only).

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