Impressions of France: Paris, Normandy & the Seine

Your French vacation begins this afternoon as you arrive at London St. Pancras and meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Joining the Eurostar service to Paris, we can enjoy the views as we cross into France.

On arrival in Paris, a coach takes us to the riverside, where our ship awaits. We are welcomed aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond with a drink, creating the perfect atmosphere for the start of the trip. You could take your beverage to the sundeck and relax in anticipation of our upcoming Seine River cruise or take some time to get acquainted with the ship's facilities.

After settling into our cabins this evening, we enjoy our first dinner together, complete with a drinks package, and begin cruising down the Seine toward Conflans St. Honorine. Overnight ship.

• Dinner

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

We return to the ship in time for lunch and then have a free afternoon to discover the timeless cottages, rustic windmills and verdant fields of Conflans St. Honorine at leisure. These scenes 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. Your explorations will quickly reveal why.

Back on board later this afternoon, a guest speaker presents an insightful talk on Impressionism before we end the day with dinner and drinks and begin a gentle overnight cruise to Rouen. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy breakfast while overlooking the riverside scenery this morning as we approach Rouen, the former capital of Normandy. We step ashore here for 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 oil by Claude Monet in a series of more than 30 paintings showing 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.

Lunch is served on the ship, and you then have a free afternoon to continue exploring Rouen at your own pace. You might like to wander the streets and squares, lined with colorful old buildings, or seek out one of the city's many green spaces. Later this afternoon, we return to the ship for dinner, drinks and an evening cruise along the picturesque Seine Valley toward Le Havre. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

En route to Le Havre, we are joined by renowned British military history expert Piers Storie-Pugh, who delivers a fascinating talk on the Allied landings that changed the course of World War II. As we sail, we listen to stories of courage, endeavor and achievement on the battlefield and take in the surrounding landscape of Normandy.

After lunch on the ship, we head to the charming port town of Honfleur on the southern bank of the Seine Estuary. Honfleur is located on the historic marina, and our tour showcases its beauty, following in the footsteps of the Impressionist artists who took inspiration from the region.

Returning to the ship in the evening, we sit down to a five-course dinner and then enjoy performances of French ballads from local chanson singers. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An early breakfast is served onboard this morning ahead of our day of exploration, which uncovers the history of Normandy with a guided tour. Points of interest include Omaha Beach, one of the five Allied beach landing sectors on D-Day, and the city of Arromanches, with its remnants of World War II Mulberries. Here, we visit the D-Day Museum, which overlooks Gold Beach and provides an insight into the events of June 1944.

Instead of exploring, you can choose to unwind onboard as the ship sets sail for Caudebec en Caux. The route is beautiful and provides a chance to soak up the changing scenery.

Those who spend the day exploring Normandy rejoin the ship in Caudebec en Caux in time for dinner and drinks. Tonight, we experience another relaxing overnight cruise to Les Andeleys. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Docking in Les Andeleys as we have breakfast this morning, we enjoy a day of exploration at Château Gaillard. This medieval fortress was built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. There is time to discover its imposing ruins and enjoy panoramic views of the Seine River before we continue to Giverny, where we experience Monet's Garden.

The home of famed Impressionist Claude Monet, this area of nature and artistry is reflected in some of his most renowned works. Vivid hues burst from flower beds, and Japanese arched bridges frame ponds adorned with water lilies - scenes you may recognize from his celebrated canvases.

We rejoin the ship in Vernon and sit down to lunch as we begin the final leg of our sailing journey. Relax on the sun deck with a refreshing drink as we drift along the Seine, passing rolling countryside punctuated by quaint villages, rustic farmhouses and delightful river landscapes en route to Paris. We enjoy dinner together this evening as the journey unfolds. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We wake up in the French capital, our final port of call. You can stay onboard this morning to relax or visit the opulent Palace of Versailles, once home to French monarchs. Marvel at Versailles' grandeur while admiring its intricate architecture, magnificent artworks and ornate Hall of Mirrors, and then stroll through the meticulously landscaped gardens, embellished with fountains and sculptures.

Alternatively, you can join an optional tour of the City of Light, setting your sights on its most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower. Our explorations also take us along Champs-Élysées - one of the world's most famous streets - and up Montmartre, the highest hill in northern Paris, to a well-preserved village that recalls the charms of centuries past.

Lunch is served onboard the ship, and then this afternoon is at leisure to immerse yourself in Parisian culture one sight, flavor and experience at a time. This evening is our final night aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This Seine cruise has been one of great beauty, endless culture and remarkable locations. We have walked the quaint streets of Auvers-sur-Oise, explored the historic marvels of Rouen, and seen places like Honfleur's picturesque harbor, Château Gaillard's medieval splendor, and Monet's Garden.

After breakfast together, we bid farewell to our crew and disembark our ship for the final time in Paris to begin our journey home. A coach transfer takes us to the train station, from where we board the Eurostar back to London St. Pancras, where your vacation draws to a close.

• Breakfast