Paris to Normandy

4.5/5 Based on 23 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Cruise Advisor
Our Price From
US$2,843
Save $1,612pp
Port charges, taxes and fees included
 Cruise Length
8 Days
 Cruise Starts
Paris
 Cruise Finishes
Paris
8 Day Paris to Normandy Itinerary (Avalon)
Countries Explored: France
Cruise Line
Avalon
Ship
Departures
Passengers
128
Crew
37
Launched
2015
Cruise Code
WPP

Overview

This fabulous river cruise combines time in France’s unparalleled capital of Paris with beautiful scenery along the Seine River and the picturesque and historical region of Normandy.

Embark on your adventure in Paris and sail to Vernon, where you’ll choose between two exciting guided visits—Claude Monet’s stunning gardens at Giverny or the remarkable Bizy Castle, known as “Normandy’s Versailles.” You may choose to go on an excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, including Omaha Beach, the Point du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery. In Rouen, best known as the home of Joan read more of Arc, you’ll go on a guided walk through the medieval quarter and visit the gothic Rouen Cathedral—once the tallest building in the world. From Conflans, go on an excursion to the quaint and inspiring town of Auvers-Sur-Oise—associated with several famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh—or visit Napoleon and Josephine’s Malmaison.

On this French river cruise, you’ll enjoy wine, cheese, beautiful scenery along the Seine River, and stops in charming and historical parts of France, but your adventure would not be complete without some time in Paris—one of the world’s most romantic and vibrant cities! Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or take a tour showing you the iconic sites of the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and more.

Itinerary

Welcome to France. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Flights into Paris must arrive by 2:30pm. Guests must be on board ship by 5pm.

Your day is free to explore the world's most romantic city before starting your cruise on the Seine. Get acquainted with the City of Light today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO VERNON (D)

Monet's Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour.

Visit the Adventure Center for today's activities with your Adventure Host.

  • Active: Explore Vernon's Chateau des Tourelles by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet's charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces*, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Bizy Castle—called “Normandy's Versailles” for its magnificent courtyard, water garden, and stables.
  • Discovery: While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.
This afternoon, enjoy a beautiful cruise to the picturesque town of Les Andelys.

LES ANDELYS: Serenity on the Seine.

  • Active: Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart**, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France's most picturesque spots on the Seine.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC (B/L/D)

*Monet's House is closed in March and November. During this period, this excursion will be replaced with a Guided Tour of La Roche - Guyon and its castle
** This excursion will not be operated in November.

Ancient Abbeys Along the Seine.

  • Active: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the river with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Trip along the Normandy Abbeys Route—where more than 100 medieval Benedictine and Augustine abbeys and churches were built along the Seine.
This afternoon, you may choose a Guided Optional Excursion to the old seaside town of Honfleur.

  • Discovery: Enjoy an Onboard Lecture about the days before and after the Normandy landing of D - Day.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN CAUDEBEC (B/L/D)

Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions

  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour of Normandy's WWII landing beaches, visit significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR:
  • Classic: Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény - sur - Mer Canadian War Cemetery, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Tour to get a taste of authentic tradition in the beautiful region of Normandy. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

EVENING CRUISE TO ROUEN (B/L/D)

The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and a Heroine for France

  • Active: Take a Guided Bike Tour to discover and explore the most famous monuments and the lesser known hidden gems of Rouen on two wheels, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—site of Saint Joan of Arc's martyrdom—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CONFLANS (B/L/D)

The Footsteps of Van Gogh, Bonaparte, and Louis XIV

  • Active: Enjoy a relaxing bike ride along the Seine with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided Visit to Auvers-sur-Oise, home and resting place of Vincent van Gogh, OR:
  • Classic: Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.
Perhaps, join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.

This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO PARIS (B/L/D)

*Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Sunday of each month. On these dates, this excursion will be replaced by a visit to Château de Chantilly.

Cafés, Cathedrals and Canvases in the City of Light

Join your Adventure Host for today's special activities.

  • Active: Experience the Seine river by foot with your Adventure Host, OR:
  • Classic: Discover the ancient heart of Paris on a captivating Guided Walk featuring the Palais-Royal, Louvre pyramid, ancient sites on Île de la Cité, the Left Bank, bustling Latin Quarter, and more, OR:
  • Classic: Join a Guided City Tour, that shows you the iconic sites of Paris, such as the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier, and the famous Champs - Élysées.
Stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS (B/L/D)

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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Trip Reviews (23) View All Most Recent 'Paris to Normandy' Reviews

4.5
Average Rating 4.5 / 5
23 Reviews
5 Star
70%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Paris, Normandy, Paris cruise 2 , NSW, Australia, Oct 2023
A great boat, fantastic crew, beautiful food and an enjoyable and educational cruise and tours. Have booked another cruise .
Wonderful tour through the south of France 2 , Australia, Jul 2023
The cruise exceeded our expectations. Beautiful scenery and wonderful towns to explore. Would highly recommend Avalon cruises.
Excellent service with friendly staff and the best cruise director we have ever had Tony Jenkins. And thank you Global Journeys for an easy and hassle free booking. Will certainly book with you again.
River cruise 1 , Qld, Australia, Mar 2023
The most beautiful service from everyone, food was very professional. Avalon Waterways rooms were very good, and tours were very professional. All good! We were happy every day!
River Cruise through France 4 , VIC, Australia, Apr 2019
Well organised, all staff gave their all, really outstanding service, the rooms, although compact, were well appointed and had everything you could need. The large panorama windows a definite advantage.

The one disappointment was the food, we were in France in Spring with superb fresh fruit, strawberries, raspberries, apples and fresh crusty bread read more in abundance at every port however not on the menu. Roast spring lamb, or freshly made traditional French onion soup or apple tart with fresh Normandy cream would have been nice, not hard or expensive but not available. We purchased our own at each of the stops.

The food was well prepared, often with a reconstructed presentation, Eastern European in style - it missed the mark in what it could have been delivering, that is fresh, provincial French food. Unfortunately, if you like quality cafe coffee you will also need to buy it onshore.

Overall the cruise was enjoyable and to be recommended, just buy from the local market or boulangerie when you stop for the day.
River cruise in France - treated like royalty! 4 , NSW, Australia, Oct 2018
What a way to see the highlights of the French countryside! Pampered by the crew who attend to your every need. Relaxing in style, whether it be your room, the lounge or the dining room. The food was delicious! The tours were fantastic and went very smoothly as everything was so well organised! Highlights were Versailles, the French countryside and read more of course the Eiffel Tower. Would highly recommend this river cruise.
Avalon Paris to Normandy 8 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2018
Absolutely wonderful cruise. Our first cruise and it certainly lived up to our expectations. Great food, really good cabin size and superb bed. The tours were full of history and the guides were first class and local.

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