Avalon Waterways Active & Discovery on the Seine (Southbound) (WHPP)

9 Day River Cruise Paris to Paris

Your vacation in France begins with a night in Paris—“The City of Light.” Before embarking on your Seine River cruise in Le Havre, choose between a city sightseeing, a bike tour or a visit to the Palais Bénédictine in Fécamp. You’ll cruise to Caudebec and take an excursion to Normandy. Choose from a selection of excursions, including a tour of the WWII landing beaches at Normandy, with the memorials and monuments to the allied forces, or a “Taste of Normandy” tour to discover the farming traditions and culinary specialties of this area. Continue to Rouen for a walking tour of the village where Joan of Arc was martyred, as well as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Astronomical Clock. Sail on to Les Andelys where you have plenty of choices, from a guided tour to a hike experience or a visit to Lyons-la-Forêt. In Vernon enjoy a food walking tour. Alternatively enjoy a guided canoe tour. Next, cruise to Conflans—home of Van Gogh and Bonaparte, to see both provincial inspirations for the artist’s paintings, and grand opulence of the emperor’s home. As an alternative, you may want to join an e-bike tour to the Château de Maisons-Lafitte or learn how to prepare a Chantilly cream. Your river cruise along the Seine returns to Paris. Discover the true heart of Paris on a guided walk through the sites of Paris’ rich history, or explore the city by bike or enjoy a walking food tour. You’ll long reflect on this remarkable cruise on the Seine River, with panoramic views and the remembrances of history, heroes, and artists brought to life.

Ships: Tapestry II

Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing

Day 1 Paris: Welcome to France

Day 2 Paris-Le Havre (Embarkation): Time at leisure in Paris; transfer to Le Havre; onboard welcome reception

Day 3 Le Havre: Choice of Le Havre sightseeing, or visit to the Palais Bénédictine in Fécamp or guided bike tour

Day 4 Caudebec. Excursions to Normandy: Choice of full day excursions to Normandy landing beaches, or “A Taste of Normandy” excursion

Day 5 Rouen: Choice of guided tour, see the Astronomical Clock and visit to the cathedral; time at leisure

Day 6 Les Andelys-Vernon: In Les Andelys choice of guided tour, or hike to Château Gaillard or excursion to Lyons-la-Forêt; onboard crêpes and pastry demonstration; in Vernon choice of excursions to Giverny, or food walking tour, or guided canoe tour

Day 7 Conflans: Choice of excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, or excursion to Napoleon and Josephine’s Château de Malmaison, or demonstration of crem Chantilly in the Château Chantilly, or guided Maisons-Laffite e-biking tour

Day 8 Paris: Choice of guided sightseeing or food tour or guided bike tour in the park

Day 9 Paris (Disembarkation): Your vacation ends this morning

Itinerary (2024)

Day 1	PARIS, FRANCE
	Bienvenue en France! Your day is free to explore the world’s most romantic city. Get acquainted with the City of Lights today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.
Day 2	PARIS–LE HAVRE (EMBARKATION)
	Welcome to France! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding. Enjoy some free time in Paris today, before transfer to Le Havre and board your cruise on the Seine. Tonight, enjoy dinner on board and explore your Suite Ship®. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LE HAVRE (B,D)
Day 3	LE HAVRE
	20th Century Architecture and White Cliffs of Normandy Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. ACTIVE Explore the city as only a local would: by bicycle. Cycle up to the quartier Saint François, OR: DISCOVERY Travel to Fecamp to visit the Palais Benedectine where the world famous Benedectine liquor is made. Enjoy a short Self-Guided Tour followed by a cocktail workshop focused around the famous liquor, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour to Le Havre and discover the modern architecture of its city center, rebuilt by Auguste Perret and part of the World Heritage of Humanity. This afternoon, you may want to choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC (B,L,D)
Day 4	CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY
	Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions DISCOVERY Join “A Taste of Normandy” Guided Tour for an in-depth look at this rich agricultural region. Visit the beautiful village of Beuvron en Auge and taste Calvados apple brandy at a local distillery, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to the WWII landing beaches of Normandy. Take a full-day tour of 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. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship while sailing to Rouen. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ROUEN (B,L,D)
Day 5	ROUEN
	The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and a Heroine for France CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—home of the martyred Saint Joan of Arc—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. In the afternoon, you're free to explore the city on your own or to join one of our Optional Excursions. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ROUEN (B,L,D)
Day 6	LES ANDELYS
	Serenity on the Seine’s Most Beautiful Riverbends ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart and a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, OR: DISCOVERY Visit one of 'most beautiful villages of France' situated in a beautiful forested setting in Normandy. Afterwards discover the legends of the haunted Abbey de Mortemere, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine. Visit the Saint Sauveur’s Church of Le Petit Andely. DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration. VERNON Monet’s Muses, Castle Courtyards, and Crêpes du Jour ACTIVE Spend a fun and active day canoeing. Join an expert guide and paddle your way through areas accessible only by water, OR: DISCOVERY Enjoy and learn all about the Normandy cheese trail and traditional French pastries during this Guided Walking Tour, 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. EVENING CRUISE TO CONFLANS (B,L,D)
Day 7	CONFLANS
	Walk in the Footsteps of Van Gogh and Bonaparte Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. ACTIVE This Guided E-bike Tour will take you to the Château de Maisons-Lafitte where you will enjoy a special snack, OR: DISCOVERY Travel to the Chantilly Castle on your own where the experts of the Confrérie des Chevaliers Fouetteurs de crème Chantilly will show you how to prepare your own Chantilly cream, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Auvers-sur-Oise, and walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh, who lived, worked, and is buried here. See the landscapes and village scenes captured in his paintings, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings. This afternoon, cruise to Paris and in the evening enjoy live entertainment on board your ship. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS (B,L,D)
Day 8	PARIS
	Cafés, Cathedrals, and Canvases—The City of Lights Truly Shines ACTIVE Hop on a bike to explore Paris like a local on this enjoyable guided tour through Bois de Boulogne! OR: DISCOVERY Immerse yourself on our Food and Cultural Tour of Paris where you will find out why the French food and culinary tradition has been even added to the UNESCO heritage list, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing which will show you magnificent must-see sights. This afternoon, you may want to choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available. Alternatively, 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)
Day 9	PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
	Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Avalon Pricing Details

Port charges:
$210

Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included.

Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).

Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.

Avalon Notes

In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.