How much does it cost?

From £2,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,376 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is all train travel included?

Yes. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris (outbound and return) is included, with a choice of Standard Class or First Class (Eurostar Plus). All coach transfers and the river cruise are also included.

Is this tour escorted?

Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 8 days.

MS Amadeus Diamond, a premium river cruise ship operated by Great Rail Journeys.

What meals are included?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the cruise (7 nights), plus a drinks package with dinner each evening and a spectacular gala dinner. A breakfast is also included on Day 8 before departure.

When does the tour operate?

Departures are scheduled for April 2027, June 2027 and September 2027.

Great Rail Journeys · River cruise

Impressions of France: Paris, Normandy & the Seine

Eight-day Seine river cruise from London through Paris and Normandy.

Great Rail Journeys operates this 8-day escorted river cruise aboard the premium MS Amadeus Diamond, combining Eurostar rail travel from London St Pancras with seven nights sailing the Seine through the heart of Normandy and Paris. The itinerary balances guided exploration of art-inspired towns with leisure time aboard ship. Day 2 brings a visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, the village that inspired Vincent van Gogh, followed by Rouen's cathedral (painted by Claude Monet over 30 times) and the charming port of Honfleur. Day 5 includes an optional guided tour of Normandy's D-Day beaches and the wartime museum at Arromanches, narrated by British military historian Piers Storie-Pugh. Day 6 features the medieval fortress Château Gaillard and Monet's Garden in Giverny with its famous water lily ponds and arched bridges. The tour suits repeat rail travellers, history enthusiasts, couples seeking romantic escapes, and photographers drawn to Impressionist landscapes. All meals, drinks with dinner each night, excursions and transfers are included; Eurostar offers First or Standard Class options.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has fallen £200 since 4 Jul, to £2,499.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

The single supplement (from GBP 3,899) is significantly higher than half the double price (GBP 2,699); confirm your accommodation tier and any upgrade costs before booking.
Day 5 offers an optional Normandy beaches excursion; guests not joining that tour remain onboard as the ship sails to Caudebec en Caux, creating a split itinerary.
Day 7 presents two alternative excursions, not both: Palace of Versailles or a Paris city tour including Eiffel Tower and Montmartre; one is chosen by the group or available optionally.
Travel insurance and UK rail connections from your local station are optional extras and not included in the package price.

Day by day

Day 1railovernight: Cruise ship
To the French capital, where we board our premium ship
Meet the Tour Manager at London St Pancras for the Eurostar to Paris, then board the MS Amadeus Diamond and begin cruising down the Seine towards Conflans St Honorine.
Day 2overnight: Cruise ship
Discovering van Gogh's inspiration in Auvers-sur-Oise
Guided tour of Auvers-sur-Oise, associated with Vincent van Gogh, then a free afternoon in Conflans St Honorine and an onboard talk on Impressionism before an overnight cruise to Rouen.
Day 3overnight: Cruise ship
A day in Rouen, the jewel of Normandy
Guided tour of Rouen including the Museum of Fine Arts, Rouen Cathedral and the Church of Joan of Arc, with free time to explore before an evening cruise towards Le Havre.
Day 4overnight: Cruise ship
Honfleur's artistry and a guest talk on the Normandy landings
Onboard talk on the Allied landings from a military history expert while sailing, followed by a guided tour of the port town of Honfleur and a five-course dinner with chanson performances.
Day 5overnight: Cruise ship
A step back in time amongst Normandy's legacy and beauty
Guided tour of Omaha Beach and Arromanches, including the D-Day Museum (or relax onboard), before sailing to Caudebec-en-Caux and an overnight cruise to Les Andeleys.
Day 6overnight: Cruise ship
The ruins of Château Gaillard and Monet's Garden
Visit the medieval ruins of Château Gaillard, then Monet's Garden at Giverny, rejoining the ship at Vernon for the final leg of the sailing to Paris.
Day 7overnight: Cruise ship
The city of Paris or the stately Palace of Versailles
Choice of visiting the Palace of Versailles or an optional guided tour of Paris including the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and Montmartre, with free time to explore.
Day 8rail
Homeward bound
Disembark in Paris after breakfast, then a coach transfer to the station for the Eurostar back to London St Pancras.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2Guided tour of Auvers-sur-Oise explores the tranquil landscapes that inspired Vincent van Gogh, followed by a guest lecture on Impressionism.
Day 3In Rouen, visit the Museum of Fine Arts and Rouen Cathedral, which Claude Monet painted over 30 times, plus the Church of Joan of Arc with 16th-century stained-glass windows.
Day 4British military historian Piers Storie-Pugh delivers a talk on the Allied landings of World War Two while cruising toward Le Havre.
Day 5Optional guided tour of Normandy's D-Day sites includes Omaha Beach and Arromanches, where the WWII Mulberry artificial harbours remain.
Day 6Explore Château Gaillard, the 12th-century fortress built by Richard the Lionheart with panoramic Seine views, then visit Monet's Garden in Giverny with its water lily ponds and Japanese bridges.

Included

Escorted throughout by an experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Diamond with excellent service
Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
First & Standard Class rail options available; Eurostar Plus on First Class departures
All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the cruise, including a gala dinner
Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back
Superb excursions included

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £2,499 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $3,376 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is all train travel included?: Yes. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris (outbound and return) is included, with a choice of Standard Class or First Class (Eurostar Plus). All coach transfers and the river cruise are also included.
Is this tour escorted?: Yes. Great Rail Journeys provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the 8 days.
What ship is used?: MS Amadeus Diamond, a premium river cruise ship operated by Great Rail Journeys.
What meals are included?: Breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the cruise (7 nights), plus a drinks package with dinner each evening and a spectacular gala dinner. A breakfast is also included on Day 8 before departure.
When does the tour operate?: Departures are scheduled for April 2027, June 2027 and September 2027.