Seine River Cruises

Cruising on the Seine River

A cruise on the Seine River begins and ends in Paris, where you’ll be able to explore some of the best museums in the world and some of the most iconic landmarks, including everything from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre. The river has been featured in the works of many famous impressionist painters, from Renoir’s Seine River at Asnieres to Monet’s Bathers at La Grenouillere.

Of all the European river cruises, the Seine is arguably the easiest to access with many direct, non-stop flights to Paris from around the world, including North America, departing from international airports in cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Dallas.

Nearly all Seine cruises include a day trip to Chateau de Versailles, one of the finest examples of royal residence over the 17^th and 18^th centuries. The gardens were created at the behest of Louis XIV, a monarch known for his love of opulence, and magnify the glory of his grand palace. They cover 250 acres with flower beds, ornamental lakes, winding paths, statuary and a canal that the king once used for gondola rides. Lovers of impressionism will appreciate the stop in the small Normandy town of Giverny where Monet lived and painted, to see his home and gardens.

You’ll explore Normandy’s historic capital of Rouen too. The “City of 100 Spires” is known for its many cathedrals, including the historic Rouen Cathedral and boasts meandering medieval lanes with half-timbered houses as well as the famous site of Joan of Arc. For those that enjoy cycling, a guided bicycle tour along the Seine to 19^th-century botanical gardens with rare and exotic plants may also be an option. The Normandy D-Day landing beaches, the Landing Museum at Arromanches, and the Normandy Cemetery part of a Seine River cruise, providing sobering moments to reflect on the momentous impact of that infamous day.