Seine & Normandy River Explorer

DAY 1

Travelling by Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris, then onwards to board the MS VIVA GLORIA, our home for seven nights, where we settle in and enjoy our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

Today, we enjoy all that MS VIVA GLORIA and river cruising has to offer as we watch the beautiful Seine slip by passing the charming, medieval town of Conflans as we journey towards Rouen.

DAY 3

This morning, we awake in Rouen, the capital of Normandy, where we enjoy a city walk to discover the historic tales of Joan of Arc and wind our way through the streets lined with tasteful boutiques and antique shops along with many fantastic regional restaurants. We visit the impressive Gothic cathedral and its reclining statue said to contain the heart of Richard the Lionheart plus we indulge in French culture with a taste of local chocolate and cheese.

DAY 4

Today, we explore the rich history and architectural diversity of Le Havre on our discovery tour with plenty of stops at unmissable sites including the imposing St Joseph's Cathedral built with several thousand glass blocks incorporated into its structure. We then continue to the beautiful seaside town of Étretat with its impressive chalk cliffs and the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde which has been inspiration to many artists. There will be free time to wander around the town before returning to MS VIVA GLORIA.

DAY 5

Today, we enjoy a leisurely morning river cruising from Les Andelys to Vernon, a charming town in the heart of Normandy characterised by innumerous half-timbered houses. We will visit the historic house and enchanting gardens of Claude Monet, one of the most painted gardens in the world, which the artist himself described as his "most beautiful masterpiece". There will be plenty of time to soak up the tranquil atmosphere and explore these enchanting gardens with their rich variety of plants.

DAY 6

This morning, we arrive in Paris, one of the most famous cities in the world! Here, we will take a city tour of this amazing capital taking in some of the main sights such as the Place de La Concorde, the largest square in Paris, the Cathedral of the Invalides, the burial place of Napoleon I, and not forgetting the world-famous Eiffel Tower.

Day 7

Today is spent at leisure in this most romantic of cities, take time to wander along the Seine soaking up all this city has to offer at your own pace - a perfect end to a fabulous river cruise.

DAY 8

We bid farewell to Paris and to France as we disembark and return to the station where we will join the Eurostar service to London St Pancras.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner