A-ROSA River Cruises - The Seine, Paris & Normandy 2023

The Seine, Paris and Normandy 2023

discover Europe

Introduction

THE FINEST IMPRESSIONS OF THE SEINE

Set sail from Paris on an inspirational cruise on the scenic River Seine, meandering through history, art and beautiful landscapes.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Rouen, a medieval marvel with its magnificent cathedral and legendary Joan of Arc. Explore small towns and villages, including Les Andelys and Caudebec-en-Caux and opt to visit pretty Honfleur and the Cote de Fleurie beautifully captured on canvas by Van Gogh and Claude Monet.

At Vernon, you can visit the magical home and garden of Claude Monet, the father of impressionism, before returning to Paris for a grand finale to your journey on the enchanting River Seine. À bientôt!

CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX ROUEN LES ANDEL

PLEASE NOTE

There is no seating or dress code; flexible table times ensure a relaxed atmosphere among guests.

What's included

Return UK flights or Eurostar rail to Paris

Return overseas transfers

7 night cruise on a Premium All-Inclusive basis:

Extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner gourmet buffets with live show cooking, or in the evenings if you'd prefer, enjoy a la carte waiter service

Special welcome dinner

Savour regional specialties, afternoon tea and snacks Sun deck BBQs and cooking demonstrations

Raise a glass with premium and local-branded drinks served around the clock: including specialty teas and coffees, soft drinks, beers, spirits, and a selection of wines, cocktails and

Highlight city tour and dining experience

Discover like a local with tips from unique A-ROSA Destination Scouts

Two cultural performances during your cruise Nightly entertainment

Use of all on-board facilities including SPA-ROSA, sauna, swimming pool, relaxation room and gym plus a 15% discount on spa treatments  Services of an on-board cruise director

Little extras like FREE room service, Wi-Fi and luxury cabin amenities including bathrobes and slippers

All port taxes

Enhance your journey with the info-packed A-ROSA App

We’ll complement our delicious international dining with the very best authentic regional cuisine. Here’s a sample of what to expect...

THE MAIN EVENT

Coq au Vin Rouge - a classic French dish of chicken braised in red wine with mushrooms and crispy pancetta.

TRADITIONAL FLAVOURS

Boeuf Bourguignon - a delicious French beef stew braised in red wine from Burgundy.

SOMETHING SAVOURY

Selection of French cheeses – the region’s famed camembert is a real gem!

Itinerary Day 1

FLY OR EUROSTAR TO PARIS AND EMBARK DEPART 19.00

Fly or take the Eurostar to Paris and transfer to the elegant A-ROSA VIVA. Thomas Jefferson once said that ‘A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and the point of life’.

Whether you visit the Louvre, trace the steps of its cinematic history or simply spend the afternoon in a café tasting delicious French pastries, you’re sure to quickly fall for the City of Love.

Day 2

ROUEN

ARRIVE 15.00

Enjoy scenic cruising on the Seine as we sail to Rouen, the capital of Normandy.

Known as ‘The Gothic City’, Rouen boasts some of the finest medieval architecture anywhere in the world including the jewel in the crown - the Cathedral Notre-Dame de Rouen. First constructed in 13th century, this gothic masterpiece was the muse of impressionist pioneer Claude Monet. It is said he was so inspired by its facade that it took him two years to even enter the cathedral for the first time.

Explore the city today on an optional guided walk.

TOP TIP

Look out for our port times, when you're not discovering a new destination, you'll be soaking up the glorious views as you meander down the river.

UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE

As a special highlight of your cruise, we’ll treat you to an insightful tour and complimentary dinner in a hand-picked local restaurant – now there’s something to look forward to!

As a special highlight of your cruise, on Day 5, enjoy an included city tour of Les Andelys with our expert guide followed by an exclusive culinary experience.

Day 3

ROUEN

DEPART 20.00

With another day in France’s historic city of Rouen, there is ample opportunity to delve deeper into its storied past. Discover the legend of Joan of Arc, whose ashes were scattered in the Seine after she was burned at the stake.

Visit the botanical gardens, or one of the many museums the city has to offer, including the Musée des Beaux-arts home to 17th-century masterpieces by Caravaggio and van Dyck and 19th century works from Renoir, Pissarro and Monet. You can opt for a fascinating excursion to the port city of Le Havre. Almost completely destroyed by WWII, it’s reconstruction is a triumph of modern design, earning it UNESCO status.

Day 4

CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX

ARRIVE 12.30, DEPART 22.00

We arrive at serene Caudebec-en-Caux, a quiet riverside town full of French charm. Take a relaxing stroll to the impressive Brottone Bridge and visit the beautifully preserved cathedral - the personal favourite of King Henry the IV of France. If you are interested in the maritime history, a visit to the Museo Seine is well worth it. Caudebec-en-Caux is also the gateway to the Cote Fleurie, Deauville and Honfleur that can be visited on an optional excursion, which also includes a tasting of Calvados, Normandy’s famous brandy made from apples or pears. Santé!

Day 5

Arrive in...

LES ANDELYS

ARRIVE 08.00, DEPART 12.00

Built in just one year by King Richard the Lionheart in 1196, Les Andelys is one of the most picturesque ports on the Seine. Elevated on a hillside, the spectacular ruins of the Château Gaillard mark an imposing feature over the lower townships of Petit-Andely and Grand-Andely. A tranquil place, you will find one of the best views of the river as it winds through the verdant landscape. From here, you can opt to visit ancient Château de Vascooueil, known for its striking garden sculptures.

VERNON 14.30

Today is one of the highlights of your Seine cruise as you have the option to visit Claude Monet’s house and garden in Giverny, a magnet for art and horticulture lovers. Arsène Alexandre, Monet’s biographer, wrote that ‘you cannot claim to know a man until you have seen his garden.’ This sentiment is felt immeasurably at Giverny, where you can tour the garden and see the famous lily pond – the subject of one of the world’s most inspiring paintings. The ship overnights in Vernon, with time to explore the town with its church, old mill and half-timbered houses.

Day 6

VERNON TO PARIS DEPART 05.00

We slip our moorings in Vernon before breakfast and spend an interesting day cruising to Paris. The grand history of French art, religion and royalty unfolds from the passing towns and villages as well as the bustle of river life.

Admire the imposing castle at La Roche-Guyon and the medieval cathedral at Mantes-la-Jolie from the vantage of the sun deck, relaxing with your favourite drink.

Arrive in...

ST. DENIS (PARIS) 18.00

We arrive in Paris in time for dinner. Opt for an evening tour exploring the City of Light, or explore on your own.

Day 7

ST.DENIS (PARIS)

Today is free for you to discover Paris at your leisure or on one of our optional excursions.

A mecca of art and culture with some of the world’s top galleries, gardens, markets, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Madeleine, Opéra, Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, Louvre, Dôme des Invalides and Centre Pompidou. The choice is endless.

Our destination scout and cruise director can help you plan your day or join an optional city tour.

Day 8

Today you'll say goodbye to the elegant A-ROSA VIVA. Transfer to the airport or Gare du Nord for your return journey home.

If you’d like, we can arrange an extra few days for you in the city, or further afield in France.

INCLUDED IN YOUR CRUISE

Exclusive destination tour followed by a highlight dinner and drinks. During the cruise, you will also enjoy two on-board cultural experiences like live music performances or traditional dancing.

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS AND EXPERIENCES

Once you have booked, you can pre-register for the following optional excursions: (All pre-registered excursions are payable on board, subject to availability. Prices below are the current guide prices per person which may change depending on the exchange rate.)

DAY 2 - ROUEN - ROUEN CITY WALK £24

Visit the historical city of Rouen with its legend of Joan of Arc.

DAY 3 - ROUEN - CÔTE D'ALBÂTRE, ÉTRETAT AND LE HAVRE £79 Learn about the historic process of winemaking and its importance to the region at this wine exhibit. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample the famous local tipple.

DAY 4 - CAUDEBEC-EN-CAUX

ALONG THE COTE FLEURIE TO HONFLEUR AND DEAUVILLE £79 Enjoy the charming ambiance in Honfleur, visit a Calvados distillery and relax at chic Deauville, made famous by Hollywood stars.

DAY 5 - LES ANDELYS & VERNON

BIKE TOUR THROUGH THE HEART OF NORMANDY £49

A guided cycle tour through rural Normandy. Admire the scenery and enjoy cider tasting at Le Pressoir d’Or.

MONET'S GARDEN AT GIVERNY £42 A must-see for any art lover. Enjoy the magical home of impressionist master Claude Monet at Vernon.

BIKE TOUR TO GIVERNY AND MONET'S GARDEN £49 Explore the picturesque Normandy countryside by bike as you journey to the stunning home of impressionist master, Claude Monet.

IMPRESSIONIST PAINTERS WORKSHOP FOR UP TO 6 PEOPLE £599 Learn how to paint like an Impressionist with our art expert from Vernon.

DAY 6 - PARIS - PARIS BY NIGHT

BIKE TOUR THROUGH THE HEART OF NORMANDY £52 Appreciate the romance of Paris as you tour the city illuminated by magical lights.

DAY 7 - PARIS - CITY TOUR OF PARIS £55

Take a guided city tour around France's capital and visit some of the world’s most famous landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre and many more.

MONTMARTRE AND SACRE COEUR £55 Enjoy a guided tour by bus and on foot discovering the charming alleys, small cafes and the imposing Sacre Coeur Basilica.

PARISIAN CABARET £80 Visit Paradis Latin for an unforgettable evening of Parisian entertainment.

SPECIAL SEINE EXCURSION PACKAGE

Includes the following 4 excursions with a great saving: Along the Cote Fleurie to Honfleur and Deauville; Montmartre and Sacre Coeur; Rouen City Walk; and Monet’s Garden at Giverny.

£189

Why choose A-ROSA River Cruises?

With over 20 years’ experience sailing Europe’s most beautiful waterways, A-ROSA River Cruises have crafted the art of uniquely relaxed and flexible journeys to spectacular cities, charming towns and awe-inspiring natural gems.

Expect the perfect balance of scenic sailing and longer days and overnight stays in port allowing you to immerse yourself in each of the expertly hand-picked destinations. On board your spacious and modern A-ROSA ship, the atmosphere is warm and cosmopolitan with an attentive crew and leisurely atmosphere which you’ll see in touches like the expansive gourmet buffet dining served without set times and table sizes.

There’s a great value Premium All-Inclusive package included on every cruise with an extensive drinks menu serving up everything from freshly-mixed cocktails to specialty coffees. Raise a glass to unforgettable moments and complete enjoyment on board your next holiday with A-ROSA River Cruises.

A-ROSA VIVA

Accommodating up to 202 passengers, the A-ROSA VIVA offers a relaxing and flexible way to explore the River Seine.

The comfortable air-conditioned cabins feature a private bathroom with shower, bathrobes, safe, TV, hairdryer, and free WI-FI. All cabins boast river views as standard, and you can choose from a porthole on deck one or opt to upgrade to a private Juliet balcony on deck two or three letting the spectacular river views come to you.

The spacious sun deck has a jacuzzi, sun loungers and even a putting green. Weather permitting, look forward to al fresco dining and BBQs up here too.

The main restaurant offers panoramic views across the river alongside a varied menu of authentic dishes and international cuisine served waiter or buffet style.

The ship’s lounge is great for enjoying a relaxed coffee in the daytime, or livelier evenings with entertainment such as performances by local musicians or traditional dancers.

The ship’s SPA-ROSA is the home of wellness with a relaxation room, sauna, gym and professional treatment rooms. You’ll receive an extra 15% off spa treatments, so what better excuse?

The excursion to Honfleur and Deauville is a real highlight. You'll see the picture-perfect harbour at Honfleur, taste Calvados and experience the lovely beaches of the Normandy Coast. Highly recommended!

- HUGH CLAYSON -

Make it yours

Choose to add extra time in Paris and make your holiday completely unique. We can tailor-make your entire experience with a fantastic choice of hotel stays before or after your cruise so you can enjoy our favourite destinations for a little longer.

PACKING TIPS

One of the most exciting things about a river cruise is the variety of destinations you’ll visit.

On board your ship, the dress code is relaxed which means you can enjoy the public areas and restaurants in the clothing you feel most comfortable in.

On shore, we recommend packing for a variety of weathers depending on the time of year you plan to travel.

Ensure you bring your favourite pair of walking shoes, trainers or sandals for discovering new cities, plus layers for cooler days and a rain jacket or coat too.

One thing you won’t want to forget – your camera.

Useful information

The on board currency is Euros. Tips are entirely discretionary. We're an international line, so expect a cosmopolitan feeling on board and announcements in both English and German.

We no longer require proof of vaccination or testing to join our ships. Our friendly team can help to advise on any local requirements or up-to-date Foreign Office advice.