We Love —
- An unforgettable experience taking in the picturesque French countryside made all the more special by your included excursions.
- Travel in style on the modern and comfortable Avalon ships.
- From the iconic beaches of Normandy to the surreal beauty of Monet's Giverny and the culinary delights that the French are known for: this cruise has it all.
Here to Help —
Booking 35 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
For any additional information on this offer or assistance in making your reservation please call one of our dedicated team on 0844 8262098 or email sales@voyageprive.com
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 08:00 to 21:00 and Saturdays & Sundays from 09:00 to 17:30.
Your Itinerary —
Day 1: Paris (included today: flights and dinner)
Travel to Paris where you will be met and transferred to your cruise ship for seven nights. Before dinner, meet your crew at a welcome reception.
This morning, choose between a guided visit of Claude Monet's house and stunning gardens at Giverny or a visit to Bizy Castle. Claude Monet lived at Giverny for almost 43 years. See his collection of Japanese prints, his charming house, and his biggest sources of inspiration including the lily pond and Japanese Bridge. Alternatively, visit Bizy Castle, built in 1740 and nicknamed 'Normandy's Versailles'. It is known for its famous stable, magnificent courtyard and water garden.
After lunch, your ship arrives in Les Andelys, perched on a bend of the Seine and one of the most beautiful places in France. Join a Local Guide for a walk of the town, including a visit to the Parish Church of Le Petit Andely. The imposing Château Gaillard overlooks the town. Built by Richard the Lionheart in 1196 fearing an attack from France's king, the château fortress was constructed in just one year and is truly a masterpiece of Middle Ages military architecture.
Today, either join an excursion along the Route des Chaumières 'Thatched Cottage Route' to see some of Normandy's charming and traditional half-timbered houses, with their long sloping thatched roofs, often sporting blue wooden doors and window shutters.
Or along the 'Normandy's Abbeys' route, a short drive from Caudebec. More than 100 abbeys once covered this region, that has a microclimate particularly suited to the production of fruit such as apples, pears, plums, and cherries. The afternoon is free to explore on your own or to join an optional excursion to the pretty coastal town of Honfleur.
Today, choose between an included excursion to the historic Normandy Landing Beaches, visiting some of the most poignant sights of World War II such as Juno Beach, Pegasus Museum, and the British and Canadian Cemeteries.
Or a 'Taste of Normandy' tour for a more in-depth look at this picturesque, mainly agricultural region. The most important produce include dairy, apples and grain. Camembert cheese is a speciality, as is Calvados, a strong apple brandy that you'll have the chance to taste at a local distillery. For a touch of history, visit the famous Bayeux Tapestry.
Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy, is an important commercial city perhaps best known for its connection to Joan of Arc, who lived, was imprisoned and was later burned at the stake in the marketplace of this town in 1431. Join the guided walk through the medieval quarter with its half-timbered, glazed-tile houses and Gros Horloge, an intricate Astronomical Clock dating back to the 16th century. Visit the splendid Gothic cathedral, once the tallest building in the world and subject of a series of Claude Monet's paintings. The afternoon is free to explore on your own.
After breakfast, why not join either our guided excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise, the quaint little town where Vincent Van Gogh lived and died.
Or visit Napoleon and Josephine's Château de Malmaison just outside Paris? Requiring extensive renovations, this large country estate was purchased by Josephine Bonaparte in 1799 while Napoleon was fighting in Egypt. It was her aim to make it 'the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation'.
During your included city sightseeing tour of Paris, see the magnificent Notre Dame Cathedral, the unique Louvre Museum with its contrasting modern glass pyramid and striking Renaissance architecture, the commemorative Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, a structural masterpiece of its age.
Alternatively you may wish to join a guided walk through historic Ile St Louis and Ile de la Cité. In your free time, perhaps stroll the Champs-Elysées, visit the world-famous Louvre or head to Montmartre to enjoy its gleaming white Sacré Coeur Basilica and bevy of artists on the Place du Tertre. The city is well known for its colourful nightlife and an optional outing to one of Paris' famous cabarets might make the perfect finale to your cruise holiday.
Day 8: Paris - UK (included today: breakfast & flights)
Disembark and transfer to the airport for your journey to the UK.
Your Ship —
Amenities
- Contemporary furnishings
- Spacious Sky Deck with Whirlpool
- Panoramic windows in public spaces
- Soundproofed Rooms
- Free WiFi
- Fitness Centre
Your Board Basis —
This offer is based on Full Board
One of the youngest river cruise fleets in Europe, Avalon Waterways river cruise ships are equipped with a good selection of contemporary facilities, as well as being incredibly spacious and modern.
Your meals will be taken in an elegant open-seating dining room while there is also a lounge serving premium beverages on-board, as well. You will also be treated to complimentary coffee and tea throughout the day.
Your Journey —
Flights: Are included in this offer. Please click here for a detailed itinerary of the flights on offer.
Transfers: Shared transfers are included
Please note: flight details are given as a guide only and may change. We will however notify you in advance if flights are more than 2 hours outside the time range given. Flights are non-changeable and non-refundable at time of booking.
