This week-long cruise aboard the AMADEUS Diamond, which starts and ends in Paris, combines what is probably the most romantic city in the world with a fascinating journey into the past of the Impressionist masters. Follow the footsteps of van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin on this tour along the winding Seine River into Normandy (without doubt one of the most beautiful regions of France), up to Le Havre on the rugged Atlantic coast.
Normandy played an important role in World War II and in European history. Visits to idyllic Normandy villages, the "museum town" of Rouen and the picturesque harbor town of Honfleur are only some of the wonders to be explored on this cruise program.
Please note:
Slightly changed program on departures 08 April 20, 29 April 20, 10 June 20, 26 August 20, 09 September 20, 07 October 20 with AMADEUS Diamond; further information on request.
Itinerary
This afternoon, embark the vessel and get settled into your cabin. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Cocktail, followed by a specially-prepared Welcome Dinner.
Stay Paris
Departure at 8pm
Arrive in Conflans, at the confluence of the Oise and the Seine. Visit the little town of Auvers-sur-Oise, an inspiration to many of the famous Impressionist masters, including Cezanne, Pissarro and Daubigny. The most famous of these artists is Vincent van Gogh, whose final resting place is located here. Visit Auberge Ravoux, where Van Gogh lived in a very simple and small room only lit by sky light. Inspired by the picturesque site with its inhabitants and surroundings, Van Gogh painted close to 80 canvases here, which come alive in the winding streets of the village.
This morning we reach Rouen, often called the “Ville musée” (Museum Town). If you enjoy museums, visit one of the many art, history, and antiquities museums scattered through the city. Visit the cathedral that inspired Claude Monet and the modern Church of Joan of Arc with its magnificent 16th-century stained-glass windows. See the “Gros Horloge,” the astronomical clock, and the Parliament of Normandy. Also in Rouen is the “Place du Vieux Marché”, the site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. This afternoon venture down the romantic “Abbey Trail” for a view of countless churches, castles, and abbeys.
Although the harbor of Le Havre was greatly destroyed in World War II, it was rebuilt and continues to be an important port city in Normandy. Explore the Normandy coastline with a walk along Ètretat’s cliff-top paths for a view of steep chalk rocks with impressive needle-like formations, which have inspired many well-known artists. Nearby, is the city of Honfleur, where the Seine meets the Atlantic. This harbor town is regarded as a jewel on the Côte Fleurie and is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
Today, join us on a fascinating Norman journey, a land of farmlands, beaches, towns. It is a land with a rich culinary tradition, based on its fine local produce like world-famous cheeses and apples from which cider and the brandy Calvados are made. Normandy also boasts many historic landmarks, such as the Normandy landing beaches and the city of Arromanches, the closest harbour linked with the liberation of Western Europe after D-Day. At the end of this excursion, rejoin the ship in Caudebec-en-Caux.
Stay Le Havre
Departure at 9am
Stay Caudebec en Caux
3pm - 10pm
Today, your vessel anchors in the little town of Les Andelys in the shadow of Chateau Gaillard, the one time home to Richard the Lionheart. Relax in town or venture farther afield to nearby Giverny, home to Impressionist Claude Monet, until his death in 1926. The beautiful surroundings and vivid flora, were inspiration for some of his most famous works. Return to the ship in Vernon for lunch. Round out your Normandy experience with a visit to the spectacular Palace of Versailles. Originally a small hunting lodge, the palace was extended to its current size by the “Sun King” Louis XIV and is now one of Europe’s largest palaces. Onboard, the Captain’s Gala Dinner is a wonderful finish to a fantastic day.
Stay Les Andelys
8am - 9am
Stay Vernon
11.30pm - 13.30pm
Excursions
In the early morning, it is once more “Bienvenue” to the French capital. Explore the sights of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the bustling Champs-Élysées. Another interesting area to explore is quirky artists’ district of Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur, located on the highest hill in northern Paris. As an alternative, you can also join an excursion to the Palace of Versailles, the sumptuous, grandiose and opulent palace of Louis XIV, which became the architectural manifestation of absolute monarchy in France (only bookable in advance).
Stay Paris
Arrival at 3am
Excursions
After breakfast we bid you “adieu” and hope to see you again soon!
Dates & Prices
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, mini-bar, bathrobe, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Small panoramic windows (cannot be opened), ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Small panoramic windows (cannot be opened), ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, mini-bar, bathrobe, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Small panoramic windows (cannot be opened), ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Small panoramic windows (cannot be opened), ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, mini-bar, bathrobe, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Small panoramic windows (cannot be opened), ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Small panoramic windows (cannot be opened), ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, mini-bar, bathrobe, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors with French balcony, ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Small panoramic windows (cannot be opened), ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Small panoramic windows (cannot be opened), ample closet space, choice of bed configuration (double or twin bed), flat-screen television, individual climate control, en-suite bathroom with shower/WC, bathrobe, hair dryer, direct dial telephone and in-room safe.
Inclusions
- Large, outside river-view staterooms, most with French balconies or walk-out balconies
- Return flights from London and non-UK transfers (regional flights, rail and door-to-door pick up available on request)
- Free-flowing red & white wines from Europe’s famous wine regions, beer & soft drinks
with every lunch and dinner onboard - Gourmet dining onboard
- Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Gala Dinner
- Services of an experienced English-speaking onboard Cruise Director
- 24 hour coffee station
- All onboard entertainment including talks, cooking demonstrations, musical performances and nightly piano music
- Bottled water in every stateroom
- In-stateroom infotainment center
- Complimentary Wi-Fi onboard
- Complimentary use of onboard bicycles
- Complimentary state-of-the-art audio headsets for optional excursions
- All local taxes & port charges include
Please note: The “from” package prices include estimated flight costs and are a guide, and we reserve the right to alter any of our advertised package prices.
Excursion Packages
Owing to the variety of available excursions it‘s often difficult to choose between them - so on this cruise we offer you tailor-made and carefully composed sets of excursions that you can book in advance with 15% discount. All excursions can of course also be booked individually at regular rates on board.
| Cruise Highlights | Unit Price | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excursion to Auvers-sur-Oise | £ 81.00 | ||||
| Rouen walking tour | £ 15.00 | ||||
| Excursion along the “Abbey Trail” | £ 53.00 | ||||
| Excursion to Étretat | £ 41.00 | ||||
| Excursion to Honfleur | £ 41.00 | ||||
| Full-day excursion „Fascinating Normandy“ with lunch | £ 142.00 | ||||
| Excursion to Chateau Gaillard and Giverny | £ 63.00 | ||||
| City tour of Paris | £ 41.00 | ||||
| Guided walking tour of the Montmartre district (only bookable in advance) | £ 41.00 | ||||
| Excursion to the Palace of Versailles (only bookable in advance) | £ 82.00 | ||||
| Onboard Booking Price | £ 260.00 | £ 219.00 | £ 402.00 | £ 559.00 | |
| Prices for packages booked in advance | £ 221.00 | £ 187.00 | £ 343.00 | £ 477.00 | |
Arrival & Hotel
Arrival & Transfer
You’re in good hands with us from the start: We will book your transfer from the airport or train station to the ship port and back.
