Gastronomy of the Seine

On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise ship moored on the River Seine. The friendly crew will welcome you on board, helping you settle into your spacious and exquisitely furnished accommodation – you’ll immediately feel at home.

This evening you’ll enjoy your first sumptuous dinner, served in the ship’s restaurant.

You can enjoy a leisurely start to the day beginning with a typical French brunch onboard, including an array of delicious pastries, breads and jams. Today, you’ll be treated to a picturesque morning sailing along the Seine as the landscape glides by. You'll quickly understand why this luxurious mode of travel is so popular as we pass the town of Mantes-la-Jolie with its imposing church – so large and architecturally impressive it could be a cathedral.

Beyond Mantes, we'll encounter another typical feature of the Seine as it flows seaward – picturesque chalk cliffs, almost resembling a giant’s teeth. Beautiful villages like La Roche Guyon slide by, surrounded by bocage countryside of lush pastures and high hedgerows, countless cider orchards, half-timbered barns and ancient wooden farmhouses. We’re truly in the heart of one of France’s historic and stunningly attractive dukedoms – Normandy.

By noon the captain has skilfully berthed at Les Andelys, a small town dominated by one of the most spectacular sights along the entire valley – Château Gaillard. This afternoon we’ll discover the story behind this remarkable castle. Château Gaillard guards the apex of the river bend and was built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century to defend Rouen from the French.

Besieged many times during the turbulent history of northern France, Château Gaillard is now one of the most dramatic ruins in the region.

Leaving Château Gaillard, we'll head to a charming Normandy farm. For generations, this beautiful farm in the heart of the Normandy countryside has been producing delicious apple juice, sparkling apple wine, jellies and compotes, vinegar, aperitif, and cider brandy. Here, we'll uncover the secrets of why this region is an ideal apple-growing haven and immerse ourselves in the Normandy way of life. Our visit will culminate in savouring their delectable apple-based creations, accompanied by an array of local specialities, like terrines and rillettes.

We'll awake in Rouen, Normandy’s capital, one of Europe’s finest medieval cities and the scene of many momentous events over the centuries. Pride of place on our guided tour of the city is its stunning Gothic cathedral. Instantly recognisable to art lovers, the cathedral was immortalised by Monet in a series of 28 paintings which depicted the facade at varying times of day and in different weather conditions. It was briefly the world’s tallest building when the soaring spire was added in the 19th century. The cathedral is also known for its statue, which reputedly contains the heart of Richard the Lionheart.

Another place of historic importance, and one of the city’s most poignant spots, is the Place du Vieux-Marché. Here, a large cross marks the point where the ‘Maid of Orléans’ Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for her beliefs.

Rouen’s beautifully tangled alleyways are a revelation, lined with antique shops, tasteful boutiques and, of course, countless restaurants serving exceptional local cuisine emphasising the country’s outstanding gastronomic heritage. While la tarte tatin has become the stuff of the culinary legacy, less paid attention to is la tarte normande. It may not have the pedigree of a tarte tatin, but its creamy custard base makes it a mouth-wateringly homey and comforting dessert - well worth a try if you get the chance while you're exploring the city. Another Riviera favourite, and a speciality of Rouen, is the mirliton, a delicious tartlet filled with cream with notes of almonds, lemon and oranges - it's even more delicious than it sounds! 

During lunch, we'll cast off to navigate through yet more twists and turns, chalk cliffs and a landscape of forest-covered hills that are designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty and sanctuaries for diverse wildlife, including deer and wild boar. A highlight of the valley soon greets us – the ethereal ruins of Jumièges Abbey. Founded in the 7th century, it was consecrated in the presence of William the Conqueror and was an important political and religious centre until it was sacked in the 16th century.

Join our chefs in the lounge for a cooking demonstration to learn more about baking tarte tatin (French apple tart) as we sail through the beauty of the Normandy countryside, passing apple orchids that have existed since the 8th century.

In the late afternoon, we'll moor in the pretty town of Caudebec-en-Caux.

Tonight, enjoy another French delicacy during our Champagne reception. We'll sip on bubbly grown and produced in some of the world's most coveted vineyards and châteaux in France's Champagne region while listening to the laid-back tones of a guitarist singing traditional French melodies - the perfect way to end our day.

After breakfast, you’ll be ready for a full-day tour exploring one of the most important aspects of modern European history – the D-Day landings. (Please note lunch is not provided today.)

Our first visit of the day will be to Ranville Cemetery - the resting place of 2,152 British soldiers, as well as hundreds of WWII soldiers from Canada, New Zealand, Germany, and France. We'll see Pegasus Bridge - which was captured on D-Day, securing the eastern flank of the Allied invasion's landing zone - before stopping in Courseulles sur Mer where we'll enjoy free time for lunch.

We'll then drive to Arromanches, where you will have the chance to visit a museum dedicated to the ‘longest day’ and see remnants of the two Mulberry harbours constructed for the landing craft.

Continuing to the British Normandy Memorial – unveiled in 2021, the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings. From here, you have the best point of view of Gold Beach, one of the five main landing sites on D-Day, when Allied forces surged into Normandy to begin the liberation of occupied Europe. Casting your eyes across the sand to the water’s edge, it’s sobering to consider that on 6 June 1944 around 25,000 British troops came ashore on this one beach with 400 killed by the defenders. We will then drive back to the ship moored in Caudebec.

After a day recalling such momentous events and the stories surrounding them, thoughts turn again to the culinary delights awaiting you in the refined comfort of the ship’s restaurant.

Honfleur is often regarded as the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast, and after breakfast we make the short journey to this delightful town and enjoy a guided tour. Its old harbour, sheltering both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is beautifully preserved and surrounded by a perfect waterfront of pastel-coloured 16th- to 18th-century houses, many converted to seafood restaurants.

Watch the talented artists capturing the captivating views along the waterfront, while the intricate maze of streets behind is also well worth discovering. The eaves of the tall half-timbered buildings almost touch, and on the streets below is an abundance of traditional shops selling antiques, books and fine foods. Honfleur’s most famous son is Eugene Boudin, one of the forerunners of Impressionism and a friend of Claude Monet, who also painted the harbour many times.

During our walking tour, we'll stop at Honfleur's oldest crêperie. Here, we'll taste the thin rolled pancake that has been popular in the French-speaking world for at least seven centuries. Sitting to eat, you can enjoy your choice of crêpe with sweet caramel, jam, chocolate, butter or sugar, made to order. Alternatively, you could try a local speciality - a galichot - which is a mixture of a pancake and a blini, offering the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Whichever you choose, you can wash it down with a glass of cider local to the area. 

After returning to the ship for lunch, we’ll slip our mooring and begin our passage back upstream, retracing the river’s winding course, its huge variety of wildlife, enchanting scenery and forests, all reflected in differing colours in the sparkling waters. Villages slip by, birds glide on thermals rising from the surrounding cliffs and, as this ever-changing kaleidoscope slips by, it’s an ideal opportunity to join new friends for a chat. Squeeze in a spot of reading on the Sun deck or simply recline, letting the gentle breezes lull you into a relaxing doze.

By this stage of your cruise, you’ll be totally unwound, and modern life will seem very distant.

One of the great delights of river cruising is the magical sensation of waking up in a different place from where you were the night before. This morning the ship has moored in delightful Vernon, and we take the short drive to Giverny to visit Monet’s garden and house.

The artist himself called his garden his ‘most beautiful masterpiece’, and it’s certainly one of the world’s most photographed and painted, ideally viewed in the delicate morning light. In the Japanese-inspired water garden, shaded by great weeping willows and surrounded by bamboo, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond where he painted his extraordinary Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series. There’s ample time to wander here, absorbing the tranquil atmosphere while marvelling at the light bouncing off foliage of every hue and the magical reflections dancing off the water.

After another leisurely lunch on board, we'll take a short drive to Bizy Castle. This classic château, built in 1740, is said to have been inspired by Versailles. Its previous owners include Louis XV, the Duke of Penthièvre, King Louis Philippe and Joseph-Napoléon Bonaparte - the older brother of Napoleon. During our visit, we'll break into smaller groups to enjoy a tour of the salons, adorned with carved wood panelling and souvenirs from the Bonaparte Family, offering a glimpse into life as the owner of this historic château.

We'll also find out about the 750 different apple varieties grown in Normandy and what makes this region the best place to grow apples for cider during an interactive cider-tasting experience. Then sample some world-renowned Norman cheeses such as the nutty Livarot, smooth Pave d'Auge and soft and creamy Camembert while you learn more about how they're made and why they're awarded an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée.

Back onboard, we'll embark on our cruise back to Paris. As the sun sets on the shimmering Seine and the Norman countryside recedes into dusk, it’s a perfect time to reflect on your few days cruising among the creamy chalk cliffs and charming villages of this splendid river.

Arriving back in Paris, this morning you can choose one of two tour options to explore this iconic city.

Those who have yet to see the world-famous landmarks of Paris - including the Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, the Trocadéro, the Musee D'Orsay and much more – could take a panoramic sightseeing tour of this beautiful capital by coach. During the tour, you’ll get to sample the famous macaron.  

Or delve deeper into one of the oldest parts of Paris. Wander through the Île de la Cité - home of the Notre-Dame - before crossing into the Latin Quarter. Its winding cobblestone streets are a reminder of what the medieval city looked like when scholars from the renowned Sorbonne University roamed the streets speaking Latin. As you explore, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of famous philosophers, and former residents, Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre. Fans of The Da Vinci Code may remember the Eglise St Sulpice from scenes of the characters looking for the keystone. (Fun fact: although there are scenes depicting the inside of the church, the crew were denied access to film – everything you see was shot in a greenscreen studio!) On our tour we’ll pass lots of bakeries and cafés and you’ll have the chance to taste a classic Parisian pastry: the macaron.

Return to the ship for lunch (or why not stay in the city and frequent one of the city's many cosy cafés?!)

Your afternoon is free to enjoy Paris and the many attractions of this amazing city. We are moored close to a well-connected RER station which allows easy access for you to tick a few items off your bucket list. You could see the grand Place de la Concorde, the largest square in the city, which shows off 18th-century French architecture at its best, visit Galleries Lafayette - the historic high-end department store - or the Musée d’Orsay, home of the world’s finest Impressionist art collection.

Alternatively, you may wish to simply stroll along the Champs-Élysées, enjoy a walk in the Tuileries Gardens or perhaps wander through the café lined streets of the city. Or join our optional experience learning how to make the famous macaron during a local cooking class.

Paris is everything you imagine it to be – romantic, inspiring, vibrant – even outrageous – but best of all Paris is unique, and a fitting finale to a wonderful cruise.

After dinner tonight, there's the chance to enjoy more famous French melodies and songs performed by a professional accordionist.