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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted Small Group River Cruise

Waterways of the Yonne, Paris & River Seine

Seine and Yonne barge cruise from Paris to Sens with château visits

Illustration of Waterways of the Yonne, Paris & River Seine

Great Rail Journeys' 7-day Waterways of the Yonne, Paris and River Seine is a barge cruise combining rail travel with river navigation through the heart of French culture and history. The journey begins when the Tour Manager meets you at London St Pancras for the Eurostar service to Paris. From there, you board the MS Deborah for six nights of cruising along the Seine and Yonne rivers. Days blend sailing through rural landscapes of stone cottages and woodlands with guided visits ashore: Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte's Baroque splendour, the artist village of Barbizon, the royal residence of Fontainebleau where Marie Antoinette lived, and the medieval city of Sens with its 12th-century Gothic cathedral. You dine aboard each evening, and Day 1 features a dinner cruise past Paris's lit landmarks. The pace is leisurely, with most days split between morning or afternoon sailing and one or two guided shore excursions. This suits history-loving couples, first-time rail travellers seeking structure, and anyone who prefers the comfort of guided group travel with meals and logistics handled.

What to know before you look closer

  • Single supplement is substantial: GBP 4,399 (double from GBP 2,499), roughly 88% more than half the double price
  • Most days involve coach transfers between the barge and inland attractions rather than continuous river travel

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: MS Deborah (moored in Paris area)

    Arrival in cultural Paris

    Your holiday begins by meeting the Tour Manager at London St Pancras, ready to board the Eurostar service to Paris. On arrival in the French capital, we are transferred to our barge and welcomed aboard with a cocktail. After time to settle in, we gather for a dinner cruise along the Seine. As we sail, we can enjoy seeing the City of Light's iconic landmarks from the river and taking in the romantic atmosphere of Paris.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: MS Deborah (moored near Évry)

    Along the Seine to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

    Our first morning aboard our barge is spent cruising on the Seine. Sailing through the heart of the French capital, we make our way to Évry on the outskirts of Paris. Arriving in the early afternoon, we step ashore for a guided visit to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Built between 1656 and 1661, it is considered a masterpiece of the French Baroque style with a large-domed roof and a moat. Inside, opulent tapestries, paintings and chandeliers adorn the state rooms, while the gardens boast beautifully laid-out flowerbeds and elaborate fountains. After our tour, we return to our barge for dinner and the rest of the evening is at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: MS Deborah (moored at Melun)

    Uncovering the history and culture of Melun and Barbizon

    Sit back and enjoy a morning of sailing as we pass bucolic scenery en route to Melun. Formerly the seat of France's medieval Capetian monarchs, Melun is now renowned for its Brie cheese. After lunch onboard, we are transferred by coach to picturesque Barbizon, the painter's village and birthplace of the Barbizon School of Art. There's time to explore this charming village at leisure, including the Auberge Ganne museum and the studios of Theodore Rousseau and Jean-François Millet. Returning to Melun, we enjoy dinner back onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: MS Deborah (moored at Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne)

    Exploring the regal Château de Fontainebleau

    After a morning of peaceful sailing around the gentle meanders, we disembark in Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne. Mooring in this picturesque medieval town for the day, we transfer by coach after lunch to Château de Fontainebleau. Spread over a 130-hectare estate, this iconic château was used by French royal families between the 12th and 19th centuries. We see Marie Antoinette's Turkish boudoir, Napoleon III's imperial theatre, and a ballroom displaying Italian frescoes. We also tour the charming town of Fontainebleau before returning to Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne for the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: MS Deborah (moored at Montereau)

    Touring the artistic haven of Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne

    This morning, we explore Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne on a guided tour. This royal town is famous for its barley sugar and landscapes which inspired the Impressionist Alfred Sisley. We discover the town's fortified medieval gates, historic building façades, the banks of the Loing and Notre Dame church. After free time to wander, we return to our ship for lunch and begin an afternoon of sailing to Montereau, at the confluence of the Yonne and Seine rivers. Mooring here for the night, we enjoy dinner and drinks.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: MS Deborah (moored at Sens)

    Sailing the Yonne to ancient Sens

    This morning, we begin our cruise along the Yonne, gliding past idyllic hamlets of stone cottages, thick woodlands and lesser-known towns. We reach Sens this afternoon and, after lunch, enjoy a guided tour. As one of the oldest cities in France, with a history dating back to the 1st century BC, we see the 12th-century Gothic cathedral, stroll through Roman streets and promenades, and visit the popular covered food market, Marché Couvert. This evening, we return to our barge to enjoy our final dinner together onboard.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, our explorations conclude as we disembark and say farewell to our crew. Heading to Paris by coach, we connect with the Eurostar service back to London St Pancras, where your barge holiday draws to a close.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Evening dinner cruise along the Seine with views of Paris's illuminated landmarks from the water
  • Day 2Guided visit to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a masterpiece of French Baroque architecture built between 1656 and 1661
  • Day 4Tour of Château de Fontainebleau, a 130-hectare estate where French royal families lived between the 12th and 19th centuries, including Marie Antoinette's Turkish boudoir
  • Day 6Cruise along the Yonne past stone cottages and woodlands, arriving in ancient Sens for a guided tour of its 12th-century Gothic cathedral

Included

  • Experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team throughout
  • 6-night cruise onboard MS Deborah, operated by Croisi Europe
  • Excellent service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Eurostar Standard Class travel
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of the cruise
  • Complimentary luggage service from home to the ship and back (one case per cabin)
  • A superb choice of excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. Eurostar Standard Class from London St Pancras to Paris outbound and return is included, along with all coach transfers.
What is the barge and how long do we stay aboard?
Great Rail Journeys operates a 6-night cruise aboard MS Deborah, run by Croisi Europe. You stay on the same barge for all six nights, moored at different riverside towns.
Are meals included?
Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided each day, plus a drinks package with dinner every evening.
Is this escorted or independent?
Escorted. An experienced Tour Manager and Cruise Director team travel with the group throughout.
What châteaux do we visit?
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte on Day 2 and Château de Fontainebleau on Day 4, both with guided tours included.
When does this trip run?
Great Rail Journeys has departures in May, June, and September 2027, and September 2026.

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