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Paris, Normandy & the River Seine

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You are viewing the 2025 itinerary. Select your departure year
20252026
8 days From £3,899 £3,599 per person
3.3 stars(9 reviews)
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Experience La Belle France on this brand new cruise for 2025 where idyllic villages and historic towns are among the wonders to be explored

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Save £300pp on River Cruise 2025 holidays, when you book by 25th August 2025.

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Mobility Rating 2

2025 Tour code: SFR25

About the tour

Cruise along the serene Seine River, where history, art, and natural beauty converge to create an inspiring experience. Seven nights of unparalleled luxury and comfort aboard the Amadeus Diamond begins and ends in the romantic City of Light, Paris.

While sailing tranquil waters, discover the peaceful landscapes that inspired some of the world's greatest artists. Wander the picturesque town of Auvers-sur-Oise and stroll through the cobblestone streets of Rouen before cruising into the beautiful Normandy region to Le Havre.

Lose yourself in winding alleys lined with colourful houses in Honfleur, marvel at the dramatic cliffs of Étretat and spend a day exploring the sights of Normandy. No visit to France would be complete without a journey to Giverny, where we visit Monet's Garden, blooming with colour.

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Unforgettable Experiences

Medieval treasures in Rouen
Medieval treasures in Rouen
Explore the medieval city of Rouen on a guided tour, visiting the Museum of Fine Arts with its collections from the Renaissance to the present age, and the Rouen Cathedral - the inspiration behind Claude Monet's painting.
Art and history in Honfleur
Art and history in Honfleur
Explore the charming streets and picturesque harbour of this port town that has a blend of history, artistry, and maritime splendour and whose quaint beauty inspired the brushstrokes of Monet.
Fascinating Normandy
Fascinating Normandy
Discover the landmarks of this historic region on a full-day sightseeing tour with breathtaking coastal vistas and charming countryside. We also visit the famous Château Gaillard and the peaceful Monet's Garden.
Discover enchanting Paris or the opulent Palace of Versailles
Discover enchanting Paris or the opulent Palace of Versailles
Discover the celebrated monuments, museums, and architecture of Paris on a guided tour of the French capital city. Alternatively, choose to explore the impressive grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
Auvers sur Oise, the painter’s village
Auvers sur Oise, the painter’s village
Step into this enchanting village for a guided tour and see the weathered windmills that stand sentinel atop rolling hills, the tranquil riverbanks and the humble cottages that inspired Vincent Van Gogh.
The majestic Etretat Cliffs
The majestic Etretat Cliffs
Experience this natural wonder, where waves crash against towering limestone arches. Carved by centuries of erosion, these natural sculptures create a sense of awe.

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - To Paris where we board our magnificent ship

Excitement builds this morning as we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travellers at London St Pancras station. From there, we journey to Paris on the Eurostar. Once we arrive in Paris, we board our cruise ship, the prestigious MS Amadeus Diamond, where a delightful drink awaits us, creating the perfect atmosphere for the start of our holiday.

You could take your beverage to the sundeck and relax in anticipation of our upcoming cruise along the delightful Seine, whose landscapes have inspired many renowned artists. After settling into our comfortable cabins, we enjoy dinner onboard this evening and begin cruising down the Seine toward Conflans St Honorine.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Discovering van Gogh's inspiration in Auvers sur Oise

Waking up in Conflans St Honorine, at the confluence of the rivers Oise and Seine, an inspirational excursion awaits this morning. After breakfast, we make our way to quaint Auvers sur Oise, a picturesque commune in France, renowned for its scenic charm and artistic heritage. Narrow lanes with shuttered homes lead our exploration through the tranquil landscapes that have been immortalised by Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces.

In the village, we discover timeless cottages, rustic windmills, and verdant fields that inspired the works of renowned impressionist artists such as Charles-François Daubigny, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro, and of course, Van Gogh, whose final resting place is here. Back onboard later this afternoon, we begin a gentle overnight sail.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 - Exploring Rouen, the jewel of Normandy

This morning we dock in Rouen, the former capital of Normandy. Here we enjoy a guided tour which follows more of the Impressionists' footsteps. This medieval city is home to the Museum of Fine Arts and a vast collection of Impressionist compositions. We visit Rouen Cathedral, which was depicted in an oil painting by Claude Monet. His series of over 30 paintings show the building at different times of the day. We also experience the modern Church of Joan of Arc with its magnificent 16th century stained-glass windows. Later this afternoon, we continue our cruise along the picturesque Seine valley.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 - Honfleur's artistry and the majestic Etretat Cliffs

The harbour of Le Havre is our convenient base for two lovely excursions this morning. The first is a trip to the charming port town of Honfleur, on the southern bank of the Seine Estuary. The Calvados region of France is famous for its apple brandy and Honfleur sits on the historic port and marina - the 'Vieux Bassin'.

After lunch, we enjoy the breathtaking natural wonder of the Etretat Cliffs. Carved by centuries of wind and sea erosion, these majestic limestone cliffs stand tall, adorned with dramatic arches and towering needle-like formations. Their iconic beauty has inspired countless artists, including Claude Monet. While here, marvel at stunning panoramic views of the English Channel and awe-inspiring landscapes along the rugged coastline of northern France. Onboard our superb ship this evening, we're treated to music performances of French ballads from local chanson singers.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 - Normandy's legacy and beauty

We set sail this morning bound for Caudebec en Caux. Arriving later this afternoon, you can choose to stay and relax onboard in our new surroundings or join a trip getting to know this historic region of France on a guided tour. Wandering narrow cobblestone streets, flanked by ancient stone buildings, explore a blend of diverse traditions and historic landmarks, including the nearby harbour that played a pivotal role in the liberation of Western Europe after D-Day and the city of Arromanches with its remnants of World War II Mulberries, offering a poignant glimpse into history. After dinner onboard this evening, we experience another relaxing overnight cruise.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 - The ruins of Château Gaillard and idyllic Monet’s Garden

Docking in Les Andeleys this morning, we visit Château Gaillard. This medieval fortress was built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. Discover its imposing ruins and enjoy panoramic views of the Seine River before we continue our cruise, pausing in Vernon to experience Monet's Garden. This area of nature and artistry is reminiscent of impressionist canvases with vivid hues bursting from flower beds while Japanese arched bridges frame ponds adorned with water lilies.

After lunch back onboard, we spend the rest of our day sailing delightful river landscapes enroute to Paris. Relax on the sun deck with a refreshing drink as we enjoy our final cruise along the Seine passing rolling countryside, punctuated by quaint villages and rustic farmhouses.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 - Enchanting Paris or stately Versailles

We wake up this morning in the French capital and enjoy a guided tour. Our explorations through the City of Light take us to its most iconic landmarks, each one bearing witness to centuries of artistry, innovation, and grandeur.

Witness the elegant silhouette of the Eiffel Tower, wander through Champs-Élysées - one of the world's most famous commercial streets, and venture up Montmartre - the highest hill in northern Paris - and visit the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur on its summit.

Alternatively, you could visit the opulent Palace of Versailles, once home to French monarchs. Marvel at its grandeur, graced with intricate architecture and magnificent artworks, wander through the ornate Hall of Mirrors, reflecting centuries of splendour, and stroll through the meticulously landscaped gardens, embellished with fountains and sculptures. This afternoon you're at leisure in Paris to immerse in Parisian culture before our final night onboard.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 - Homeward bound

After a final breakfast together, we bid farewell to our delightful crew and disembark this morning. On our return Eurostar journey back to London, think back over our blend of experiences, from the quaint streets of Auvers sur Oise, reminiscent of Van Gogh's artistry, to the historic marvels on our Rouen walking tour. Honfleur's picturesque harbour, the majestic cliffs of Etretat, and the poignant sights of Normandy stirred the soul while Château Gaillard echoed with tales of medieval splendour and Monet's Garden bloomed with vibrant colours. The timeless streets of Paris were the perfect end to our cruise filled with tranquil Seine scenery.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Departure times

Travel timings in your Holiday Confirmation are provisional and are subject to change. We will confirm your travel times in your final itinerary around 10-14 days before your departure. Eurostar or Flight times will be confirmed to you approximately 30-50 days before departure.

Train

Eurostar

Ship

MS Amadeus Diamond

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Reviews

3.3 stars3.3 / 5 · 9 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (2)
  2. 4 stars
    (3)
  3. 3 stars
    (1)
  4. 2 stars
    (2)
  5. 1 star
    (1)

E fergusom

5 stars

Submitted 31/Jul

Enjoyable trip well organised- staff on board and Great Rail employees excellent- Food super and places we visited also- although the number (HUGE) of other tourists at Giverny and Versailles a shock- and sort of spoiled the attraction-

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B Bell

5 stars

Submitted 22/Jul

Excellent all round. Topclass service at every meal .Also general service on board. Will recommend to our contacts.

from Great Rail Journeys
Hi Mr Bell, Thank you for your review. I am delighted to read that you had such an excellent time on board the Amadeus Diamond and that the staff really went the extra mile for you. It is brilliant to see that you would recommend our Paris, Normandy, and the River Seine cruise! Best wishes, Richard
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Trevor Weeden

4 stars

Submitted 21/Jul

Cabins are a lot smaller than the Great Rail cruise ships on the Rhine.

from Great Rail Journeys
Hi Trevor, Thank you for your review. We do charter a slightly different ship for our cruises down the Seine, the MS Amadeus Diamond and I do appreciate those cabins are slightly smaller than those on board the Amadeus Star. I do hope you enjoyed your holiday with us. Best wishes, Richard
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

J Richmond

4 stars

Submitted 17/Jul

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Collected by Trustpilot

John Coles

4 stars

Submitted 16/Jul

Overall, very good holiday. Only spoilt by choice of berthing places. One overnight especially in a derelict industrial area was unacceptable. Food absolutely first class.

from Great Rail Journeys
Hi John, Thank you for your review. I am very pleased to hear that you enjoyed your holiday overall, and that your dining experience lived up to your expectations. However, I understand your frustration at the choice of mooring point on one of the nights, I will relay this feedback to the relevant teams. Best wishes, Richard
1 comment

Collected by Trustpilot

Barrie King

3 stars

Submitted 16/Jul

Some parts were good, but my wife and 8 others got food poisoning so spoilt 3 days of the holiday and we missed 3 excursions. The Crew were very helpful as was the Great Rail staff. Awaiting further contact from GRJ.

from Great Rail Journeys
Hi Barrie, Thank you for your review. I am sorry to read that you suffered from food poisoning during the tour. If you would like to discuss this further, please send an email to XXX@XXX Best wishes, Richard
Hi Richard we filled in the relevant forms before we left the ship and along with the others Lucile was going to post them to the office on her return to UK.
2 comments

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Show all 9 reviews
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