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Vacations By Rail · Escorted river cruise

Impressions of France: Paris, Normandy & the Seine Cruise

Eight-day Seine river cruise from Paris through Normandy on MS Amadeus Diamond

Illustration of Impressions of France: Paris, Normandy & the Seine Cruise

Vacations By Rail's Impressions of France is an eight-day escorted river cruise along the Seine, departing and returning to Paris aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond. The voyage moves through Normandy and the heart of French art and history, beginning with an evening embarkation in Paris and a cruise toward Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. Over the following days, guests visit Auvers-sur-Oise, where van Gogh spent his final weeks, and attend a guest talk on Impressionism; tour Rouen Cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts; hear a military historian discuss the World War Two Allied landings; travel to Omaha Beach and the D-Day Museum; and visit Monet's Garden in Giverny. Day seven offers a choice of a guided Paris tour or independent time at Versailles. All breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and a drinks package are included, as are all guided excursions and coach travel. A Tour Manager and Cruise Director accompany the group throughout. This package suits couples, history enthusiasts, and photographers drawn to Norman art and heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included; book separately.
  • Day seven offers a choice between an optional guided Paris tour or free time to visit Versailles on your own.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Ship

    Boarding our ship in Paris

    Arrive in Paris and board the MS Amadeus Diamond on the River Seine, settle into cabins, and begin cruising toward Conflans St. Honorine.

  2. Day 2overnight: Ship

    Discovering van Gogh's inspiration in Auvers-sur-Oise

    A guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, van Gogh's final resting place, with a free afternoon in Conflans St. Honorine and a guest talk on Impressionism, before an overnight cruise to Rouen.

  3. Day 3overnight: Ship

    A day in Rouen, the jewel of Normandy

    A guided tour of Rouen including the Museum of Fine Arts, Rouen Cathedral and the Church of Joan of Arc, then an evening cruise along the Seine Valley toward Le Havre.

  4. Day 4overnight: Ship

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

    A guest talk by military historian Piers Storie-Pugh on the Allied landings, followed by a guided tour of the port town of Honfleur.

  5. Day 5overnight: Ship

    A step back in time amongst Normandy's legacy and beauty

    A guided tour of Omaha Beach and Arromanches, including the D-Day Museum overlooking Gold Beach, then rejoin the ship in Caudebec-en-Caux for an overnight cruise to Les Andeleys.

  6. Day 6overnight: Ship

    The ruins of Château Gaillard and Monet's Garden

    Explore the medieval ruins of Château Gaillard in Les Andeleys, then visit Monet's Garden in Giverny before rejoining the ship in Vernon.

  7. Day 7overnight: Ship

    The city of Paris or the stately Palace of Versailles

    A free morning to visit the Palace of Versailles or join an optional tour of Paris taking in the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées and Montmartre, before the final night aboard.

  8. Day 8

    Traveling home

    After breakfast, disembark the ship in Paris for the final time and begin your journey home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, van Gogh's final resting place, with an evening guest talk on Impressionism.
  • Day 3Guided tour of Rouen Cathedral and the Museum of Fine Arts in the jewel of Normandy.
  • Day 5Guided tour of Omaha Beach and Arromanches with the D-Day Museum overlooking Gold Beach.
  • Day 6Explore medieval Château Gaillard ruins in Les Andeleys, then visit Monet's Garden in Giverny.

Included

  • Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • 7-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Diamond
  • Excellent service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • All coach travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Superb excursions included

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
No. This is a river cruise package on the MS Amadeus Diamond. All coach travel for excursions is included, but no train travel.
What meals are included?
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day of the cruise are included, plus a drinks package with dinner every night and a spectacular gala dinner.
Is the tour escorted?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides an experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team throughout the entire tour.
Which excursions are included?
Included excursions are Auvers-sur-Oise with a talk on Impressionism, a guided tour of Rouen, a guest talk on the Normandy landings, tours of Omaha Beach and Arromanches with the D-Day Museum, and visits to Château Gaillard and Monet's Garden.
What is not included?
Flights, airport transfers, and cancellation and travel insurance are not included.
How much walking is involved?
The tour has a Mobility Rating of 2, involving guided walking tours of towns and museums with some standing during excursions.

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