Normandy & Gems of The Seine (Loyalty Departure)

Welcome to France and the City of Light. Whether it's your first or 50th time in this romantic city, there is always something new to discover. Board your 5-star Scenic Space-Ship this afternoon and meet your fellow loyalty members. With a late departure from Paris tonight, you can go ashore to experience its magic after dark.

Please book your flight to arrive into Paris prior to 08:30 PM.

Normandy's capital, Rouen, has a history that spans over 2,000 years, from Viking legends to its significant role in both World Wars. It was also the place where Richard the Lionheart was crowned Duke of Normandy and Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. A considerable amount of Rouen was sadly destroyed in World War II, but much of the city has been faithfully restored, including the exquisite Old Town. It's an engaging and historically rich destination, packed with museums, stylish bistros and coffee shops, and a wealth of churches, including the famed 12th century Rouen Cathedral.

Scenic Freechoice: Explore your way with one of this morning's Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Rouen city tour: See why Victor Hugo once described Rouen as ‘the city of a hundred spires' on this guided tour. Visit the cathedral district, old marketplace and Saint-Maclou Quarter. Step into a fairytale of Medieval alleys and half-timbered houses. Enjoy free time afterwards.
• Guided tour of Rouen with Rollo the Viking: Authentically dressed as Viking Warlord Rollo the Walker – who was famously too tall to ride a horse – your guide will take you around the city to learn about the Viking raiders who made Rouen their capital. This tour focuses on the city's Medieval past, and you will enjoy some free time afterwards to explore.
• Claude Monet and the Colours of Rouen: Step into the world of the famed Impressionist painter Claude Monet, visiting the sites immortalised in his works. You'll also visit Musée des Beaux-Arts, home to many of his masterpieces on this excursion that is new in 2027.

Back on board this evening, listen to a fascinating expert lecture.

Tonight, you remain docked allowing you to discover Rouen after dark. Enjoy an interactive evening WWI lecture where you will gain an understanding into the life of a soldier on the Western Front and learn why this was known as ‘the Great War'. From the curious 1914 Christmas armistice football match to the horrors of trench warfare involving machine guns, tanks, mining and the deadly flamethrower, you will experience the war through the eyes of an Allied soldier, ‘a Tommy'. Try on his equipment and weapons and taste his rations. This immersive experience from a modern day soldier sharing personal experiences will bring the history of war to life.

With another full day in Rouen today, you can uncover some of the region's fascinating military history or sample local delicacies on a gourmet tour. Scenic is the only cruise line to offer the chance to spend a full day at the moving Somme Battlefields, giving our Loyalty members an exclusive opportunity to delve deeper into its story.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose to explore your way with today's Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• In the footsteps of Joan of Arc: Discover the gripping and heroic story of Joan of Arc on a captivating walking tour through Rouen. Immerse yourself in the dramatic narrative of this young heroine, from the magnificent St Ouen Church to the evocative Old Market Square, where she was burnt at the stake in 1431 on this excursion that is new in 2027.
• Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Newfoundland Memorial Park: Take a full day excursion to the site of the WWI Battle of the Somme, which claimed the lives of more than 150,000 soldiers from Britain and the Commonwealth. Visit the Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre), the Franco-Australian Museum, Lochnagar Crater and Newfoundland Memorial Park, one of the largest areas on the Western Front where you can still see shell holes and trenches.
• Excursion to the Somme Battlefields including Thiepval: This full-day excursion will follow the same itinerary as the tour above, visiting the Somme Battlefields, the Australian National Memorial (Sir John Monash Centre) and the Franco-Australian Museum. After lunch, travel to Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, which contains more than 5,500 Commonwealth graves, then visit Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, and Lochnagar Crater.

Please note: The Sir John Monash Centre is a state-of-the-art immersive sensory experience that uses technology to tell the story. In order to maximise your experience, we suggest you download the Sir John Monash Centre app on your phone prior to embarking on your cruise.

Back on board this evening, indulge in an exquisite dessert buffet onboard, where the artistry of a local pastry chef brings classic French cakes to life. Savour a variety of beautifully displayed desserts, each slice a masterpiece that pairs perfectly with fine coffee or a glass of dessert wine

Enjoy another relaxed morning on board as we cruise west to Honfleur, a colourful port city on the edge of the English Channel. The purpose-built Scenic Gem is one of only a few ships that can cruise right into the centre of the city, docking in the heart of the bustling harbour. As you join your guided walking tour, you'll uncover Honfleur's most charming corners, from its lively Inner Harbour to the wooden Church of Sainte-Catherine and the tranquil Garden of Personalities.

Over the years, this enchanting town has captured the imaginations of countless painters and was the birthplace of Impressionism. Its cobbled streets are a confection of half-timbered houses, cosy restaurants, gourmet shops and art galleries, all contributing to its reputation as one of Europe's most picturesque harbours. After the walking tour, enjoy some free time to explore at your leisure.

Two special moments will take place on board this evening.

• French cheese trail: Normandy and regional classics
• Tasting: Experience the very best of French cheesemaking traditions with a cheese tasting, featuring a spotlight on Normandy's celebrated classics like Camembert de Normandie, Pont-l'Évêque, and Neufchâtel.

Later, history comes alive with an engaging lecture on the battles of World War II, where you'll learn about Operation Fortitude and the daily life of Honfleur's citizens during the D-Day campaign.

Historically a border town between the Duchy of Normandy and the Kingdom of France, Vernon has a rich heritage and many distinctive buildings. Nearby Giverny was the home of Impressionist artist Claude Monet for more than 40 years.

Scenic Freechoice: Discover more on one of these Scenic Freechoice excursions:

• Monet's House and Garden: Journey to Giverny to tour the town and visit the home of the founder of Impressionism. Built by Monet, the gardens comprise a Japanese-inspired water garden with lilies, which inspired his most famous works. Afterwards, enjoy free time to explore at your own leisure.
• Market walk with a chef: Exclusively for loyalty members, this engaging tour introduces you to the vibrant flavours of Normandy on a chef-guided tour of Vernon's Saturday market. Meet passionate producers and learn about sustainable, seasonal ingredients on this immersive culinary experience that connects you directly to the heart of French cuisine.
• Self-guided cycle from Vernon to Giverny: Take a self-guided biking tour from Scenic Gem in Vernon to Giverny (approximately five kilometres each way). When you arrive, you may wish to visit Monet's House and Garden or wander about this charming town, before returning to the ship.

After exploring these beautiful gardens during this morning's touring, you may feel inspired to create a masterpiece of your own during an on board painting class.

This afternoon your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise towards La Roche-Guyon, where this evening's exclusive Scenic Enrich experience will take place.

Scenic Enrich: Take a short walk from the ship to Château de La Roche-Guyon, which is built into a chalk hillside and dates to the 16th century. Walk through the manicured orchard and vegetable gardens producing fresh juices, then admire the decorative walls, ceilings and tapestries. On arrival you'll enjoy a drink overlooking the River Seine below and sit for a splendid classical concert that focuses on music by French composers.

Wake this morning in Conflans-Saint-Honorine, a Medieval town located at the confluence of the River Seine and Oise. Though it's just a short distance from the centre of Paris, it feels a world away. A castle was built here by monks in the 9th century to protect the relics of Saint Honorine, from whom the town gets its name. It became a popular pilgrimage site in the 11th century, a practice which lasted for more than 700 years. Wander the quiet streets and the riverside pathway, sip coffee at an open-air café, and admire the beautiful ancient church.

Scenic Freechoice: Today, choose one of our Scenic Freechoice activities:

• Visit to Auvers-Sur-Oise: Travel to the village where Vincent Van Gogh painted his final masterpieces. See landmarks that were immortalised in his works, such as the famous Notre Dame de l'Assomption church. The tour includes entry to Van Gogh's room, an attic that he rented during his final months and which has sat empty since 1890. Enjoy free time afterwards to wander through the village.
• Château de Chantilly: Take a guided tour of the castle, a magnificent tribute to France's cultural heritage, built by Henri d'Orléans, the son of the last King of France. See the fine collections he amassed in his lifetime, explore the gardens and enjoy some free time.
• Musée de la Batellerie (inland water transport museum): Join this active tour in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine to visit the Inland Water Transport Museum. Conflans, sometimes called the barge capital of the world, is located on the confluence of Oise and Seine rivers, and water has played a very important role in the lives of its residents.
• Château de Malmaison: This historic estate was once the residence of Napoleon Bonaparte and his first wife, Josephine de Beauharnais. Renowned for its elegant Neoclassical architecture and beautifully landscaped gardens, the château reflects Josephine's refined taste and passion for botany. Today, it houses a museum showcasing furniture, artwork, and personal items from the Napoleonic era, providing a glimpse into the private lives of one of history's most famous couples.

This afternoon you'll spend time on board as your Scenic Space-Ship cruises back to Paris.

Welcome back to Paris, where you will spend the day exploring this iconic city. As loyalty members, you may wish to rediscover Paris through new eyes. Allow our immersive experiences to show you something new.

Scenic Freechoice: Choose from today's Scenic Freechoice options:

• Trendy Marais with a local Parisian: Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Marais district with a Parisian guide. A melting pot of cultures, fascinating history, opulent architecture, an eclectic arts scene and high-end fashion, the Marais is one of the most diverse districts in Paris.
• Paris retro icons: Sidecar Tour: Loyalty members can enjoy this exclusive tour, travelling through Paris' iconic streets in a vintage motorbike sidecar. It's an original, authentic and convivial way to immerse yourself in the City of Light, perfect for those seeking immersion, culture, and memorable photo opportunities all rolled into one unforgettable ride.
• Highlights of Paris city tour: Join a local guide on a coach tour of the city to see some of its most famous sites, from the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral to the Champs Elysee, the Arc de Triomphe and Concorde Square. You will also view the 1163-built Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has reopened after a devastating fire in 2019.
• Opera Garnier: Located in the theatrical heart of Paris, the spectacular Opera Garnier is resplendent with ornately decorated rooms, grand staircases, and glistening chandeliers. Tour this opera house and learn about the magnificent building that was commissioned by Emperor Napoleon III.
• Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte: Take a coach to the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, an hour from Paris. It is the largest privately owned château in France and has been in the same family for over five generations. This spectacular estate is credited as the founding French formal garden that was the inspiration for Versailles.

This afternoon is free to explore Paris at your own leisure. Perhaps you'd like to people-watch on the Champs-Elysee from a sidewalk café, head to the top of the Eiffel Tower for a bird's-eye view of the city, or venture to Montmartre, the artist's district and where the famed Moulin Rouge is located. Alternatively, relax back on board your luxurious Scenic Space-Ship.

Tonight, celebrate the end of your journey with an exclusive dinner on board prepared by Michelin-starred Chef Didier Goiffon. This intimate dining experience in Crystal Dining allows you to experience authentic flavours in exquisite regional dishes that showcase the best of French gastronomy.

Your journey concludes this morning. Disembark after breakfast, taking with you many wonderful memories of this unique part of France. Transfer to Paris airport or train station for your onward journey.

This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from that stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.