Review of Riviera Travel’s Seine, Paris and Normandy River Cruise
Back in August 2023, Zoe Franklin, sales manager at Travel Club Elite, had the opportunity to attend a familiarisation cruise journey along the Seine River with Riviera Travel, visiting regions with significant historical importance along the way including Normandy, Rouen and Bayeux. This is a review of her impressive experiences on this cruise, where she details her daily itinerary and the included trips within this Riviera package.
Day 1-2: Paris – Les Andelys
Our exciting journey began as we arrived in Paris and transferred to the luxurious cruise ship. The staff onboard immediately make you feel right at home which really helped everyone to settle in and the accommodation was ideal. We were then treated to a delicious dinner in the evening – the perfect way to kick-start the adventure! On the first full day of our cruise we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and morning before cruising towards the lovely town of Les Andelys. We stopped off at Mantes-la-Jolie to see the magnificent grand church, as well as an impressive medieval stone bridge which is still standing to this day – a real reminder of the region’s cultural history. Beyond Mantes, we passed villages like La Roche Guyon, located in the stunning Normandy countryside, before reaching Les Andelys by lunchtime. While there, we were able to witness the incredible Château Gaillard – a 12th century castle built to protect Rouen from the French. It was impressive to see how well preserved it was and to also learn more about the region’s detailed medieval history.
Day 3: Rouen
On the following day we then arrived in Rouen – Normandy’s capital, for a guided tour of the city’s highlights. We got to see the Gothic Cathedral which we were told was briefly the world’s tallest building in the 19th century, before enjoying the excellent local cuisine in Place du Vieux-Marché. We also toured the 7th century Jumièges Abbey, before concluding the day’s adventures in the quaint town of Caudebec-en-Caux.
Day 4: Bayeux & Arromanches
On the fourth day of the trip we travelled to the historical towns of Bayeux and Arromanches. Wandering around, I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful old buildings in Bayeux, especially the grand Gothic cathedral – which we were able to explore while on a guided tour. But what really stood out to me was the iconic Bayeux Tapestry. It was a real privilege to be able to see this first-hand, and the sheer detail makes you feel as though you’re stepping back into history. This afternoon, we headed to Arromanches, where we had some free time to grab lunch. Afterwards, we explored the fascinating D-Day museum and the British Normandy Memorial. The view from the memorial was unforgettable, looking out over Gold Beach, one of the main landing sites from that historic day. It was really impactful to see this and to hear about the incredible stories of bravery and sacrifice.
Day 5-6: Honfleur to Vernon
The next stop on the journey was the town of Honfleur, often referred to as one of the prettiest spots on the northern French coast. We started with a guided tour around the old harbour, which is straight out of a postcard. Along the waterfront, I loved watching the artists at work, capturing the stunning views on their canvases. There’s no shortage of shops selling antiques, books, and delicious local foods. After heading back to the ship for lunch, we set off upstream again, continuing along the Seine towards Vernon.
Day 7: Paris
On the final morning we arrived in Paris and wasted no time in heading out for a sightseeing tour of this city. We got to see so many famous landmarks: the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, Musée d’Orsay, and more. After the tour, we returned to the ship for lunch, but for those who wanted more Paris time, staying in the city to soak up the café culture was also an option. The afternoon was all ours to explore Paris however we wanted. Paris is everything you dream it to be, and is the perfect finale to this amazing cruise. To top it all off, after dinner this night, we were treated to a classical French music performance onboard the cruise ship.
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