FRANCE: Boutique Cruise : Seine Valley River Cruise Paris – Paris (port to port) – 5 Days / 4 Nights

Destination:  FRANCE: Paris Seine River Cruise

Tour Commences In:  Paris

Tour Concludes in:  Paris

Number of Days:  5 days / 4 nights

Tour Style; Ship Cruise (groups, couples)

Accommodation: Modern Boutique Ship

Meals: Breakfasts; 4: Lunches; 3: Dinners; 4:

Leaders: One or more professional local guides

Transportation: Ship - Cruise & Bus for Excursions

Tour Grading: Moderate: Suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and mobility

Cruise Highlights

• Begin and end your journey in the City of Light, one of the world’s most celebrated cultural capitals.

•    Enjoy authentic Parisian ambiance on board and a perfect mixture of history and nature

• Join us for an extensive overview of the Seine

• Visit the magnificent Palace of Versailles Experience the grandeur of France’s most iconic royal residence

• Discover the charming riverside towns of Poissy and Mantes-la-Jolie

• Marvel at Normandy’s dramatic white cliffs of alabaster, along the English channel

• Visit the picturesque harbour town of Honfleur, with its cobbled streets,  colourful houses, and soak up the artistic charm that inspired generations of painters.

• Discover historic medieval Rouen — the ‘Museum City’ with half-timbered houses and visit remarkable Gothic churches, including the famous Rouen Cathedral.

• Relax on board while sailing past rolling countryside, historic villages, and picturesque Norman landscapes.

·       churches, including the famous Rouen Cathedral.

·       Relax on board while sailing past rolling countryside, historic villages, and picturesque Norman landscapes.

Cruise Program:

Day 1:    Paris – “Paris by night":    (D)

Guests are invited to board the ship at 6:00 p.m. Once you have settled comfortably into your cabins, join us for a welcome cocktail and an introduction to our crew. Dinner will be served on board, Later, we’ll cruise through Paris by night, taking in the city’s illuminated landmarks.  (depending on water levels)

Day 2:    Poissy – Mantes-la Jolie:    (B/L/D)

We’ll arrive in Poissy early in the morning.

Join us for the proposed optional afternoon excursions:

Guided tour of the Château de Malmaison

Walking tour of the gardens at the palace of Versailles

Guided tour of the Château de Versailles

We'll return on board and start cruising towards Honfleur.

Malmaison Castle:

Guided tour of the Château de Malmaison. Built in the 17th century, Joséphine de Beauharnais acquired this castle in 1779. In 1800, it became the headquarters of the government and a conference room. The library restores the industrious atmosphere by which Bonaparte enjoyed to be surrounded. The council room is shaped like a military tent where receptions, dances and country-style games took place. The musical lounge offers Josephine's "troubadour” paintings and her well-known harp for visitors to admire. Here, many paintings from these times are on display. After her divorce in 1809, Joséphine continued to live in her house, where she died in 1814. The Napoleonic museum was inaugurated in 1906; it is furnished, decorated and adorned with the paintings that Joséphine bought and loved. The charm and authenticity that have been preserved in this castle will certainly delight you. Return on board.

PLEASE NOTE:

·     Excursion available on Mondays instead of the Versailles Palace and on any other day (except on Tuesdays) if the minimum of 25 participants isn't met for the excursion to the Versailles Palace.

·     For groups who would like to choose this excursion on any other day instead of the Versailles Palace, the request should be made before the start of the cruise.

·     Good walking shoes are recommended.

·     The order of the visits may change.

·     Times are approximate.

Walking Tour Of The Gardens At The Palace Of Versailles:

Set out on foot for an unequalled tour of the magnificent palace gardens. An alternative experience at Versailles will bring you face to face with groves, sculptures, thriving greenery, and abundant water sources. In 1661, King Louis XIV authorized André Le Nôtre to create a French-style garden that would be the envy of all in the great European courts through the 18th century. The Sun King took such great pleasure in exploring his gardens, he wrote a book explaining how to give tours of the immense grounds. This tour will follow the king’s recommendations, and your guides will let you in on the secrets and tales of this unique site—one of the most beautiful open-air museums in the world.

PLEASE NOTE

·     Times are approximate.

·     The order of the visits may change.

Palace Of Versailles:

Departure by coach in the company of your hostess for a visit to the Château de Versailles. Listed as a World Heritage Site for thirty years, the Château de Versailles is considered to be one of the finest achievements of French art from the 17th century. Louis XIII's former hunting lodge was transformed and enlarged by his son Louis XIV, who fixed the Court and government of France here in 1682. Until the French Revolution, one king followed another, each embellishing the Château in his turn. When you arrive, your guide will take you through the King's Grand Apartment. These seven successive rooms were intended to serve as a Parade Apartment, that is to say for the sovereign's official business. This is why it was decorated with the most splendid riches and based on the model of Italian palaces of the time.

During daytime, it was open to all, French and foreigners, who came to see the king, and it was reserved for the Court three evenings a week. Afterwards, you'll go through the Hall of Mirrors, known in the 17th century as the "Great Gallery" and which was where courtesans would wait, meet or just pass through every day. This 75m-long, 10m-wide and 12m-high hall was designed by Mansart in. The principal feature of this hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens. You tour will end with a visit to the Queen's Apartments, where the Queen would host the ladies of the Court when she rose in the morning and granted private audiences. After visiting the Château, you will still have a little free time to discover the fabulous formal French gardens created by André Le Notre for Louis XIV. Return on board by coach.

PLEASE NOTE:

·     Flash photography is forbidden inside the Château.

·     Good walking shoes are recommended.

·     Pre-booking only. If the minimum of 25 participants isn't met, the excursion will be replaced with a visit to the Château de Malmaison.

·     The order of the visits may change.

·     The Versailles Palace is closed on Mondays, visit to the Château de Malmaison instead.

·     Times are approximate.

Day 3:    Honfleur:    (B/L/D)

Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Guided tour of Honfleur.

This afternoon, join us for the optional excursions proposed:

CLASSIC: Stroll along La Côte d'Albâtre between cliffs and villages.

DISCOVERY: Hike across the cliffs of Étretat to bask in the landscapes that have been dramatically shaped by weather and erosion. (Duration: 1h30 to 2h, 5km, elevation gain: 100m)

We'll return on board in Honfleur and sail towards Rouen through the night. Tonight is our gala evening and dinner.

Honfleur Guided Tour:

We'll meet up with our guide and set off on our walking tour. Honfleur, the cradle of Impressionism, is located at the mouth of the Seine as it flows into the English Channel. Untouched by the passage of time, this small port has kept the landmarks of its rich past, making it today one of the most visited towns in France. We'll begin our tour at the Vieux Bassin, one of the most charming sites in the city. The narrow houses squeezed against each other are quite a unique sight. Next, we'll see Saint Catherine's Church, the largest wooden church in France. It was listed as a historical monument in 1879 and has been the subject of scrupulous research by many archaeologists and historians. Our tour will finish with a visit to Saint Léonard Church. Destroyed during the Hundred Years War, it was rebuilt at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries-only to be partially burned down again during the Wars of Religion. We'll return to our ship on foot.

PLEASE NOTE:

·     For some cruises, this excursion can occur at night after dinner depending on the schedules of the Honfleur port.

·     Good walking shoes are recommended.

·     In case the boat cannot moor in Honfleur because of navigation technical reasons, this excursion will be done by coach. Extra fee to pay on board : 10€.

·     The order of the visits can change.

·     Times are approximate.

Hiking Alabaster Coast:

We'll leave from Honfleur by coach for the beautiful Alabaster Coast, a natural heritage within the Pays de Caux and the estuary of the River Seine. We'll pass by Le Havre. The high white cliffs bordered by the beaches and stones were made famous by Impressionist paintings. As Guy de Maupassant wrote: "Nature has made these valleys; the rains of storms have ended with them in the shape of these ravines, trimming what was left of the cliff, excavating down to the sea, the bed of waters which acts as a passage for mankind.” Once in Étretat, we'll set out for a hike across the cliffs to bask in the landscapes that have been dramatically shaped by weather and erosion. Afterwards, we'll enjoy some free time to explore the city itself. At the end of our tour, we'll return to the ship by coach.

PLEASE NOTE:

·     Plan to wear appropriate hiking gear (hiking shoes, trekking poles, water bottle, hat, cap, sunglasses...): allow 20 minutes on foot from the coach parking lot to the cliffs (each way).

·     Steep elevation to climb the cliff: 100 meters; do not suffer from vertigo when descending the stairs.

·     The order of the visits can change.

·     Times are approximate.

The Alabaster Coast:

Leave Honfleur by coach for the excursion to the Alabaster Coast, classified as a Natura 2000 site since 2009. This trip will be your chance to discover the natural heritage of the Pays de Caux and the Seine estuary. We will pass by Le Havre. The high cliffs of white chalk and stone beaches were popularised by the paintings of Claude Monet. The suspended valleys of the little coastal rivers, the Normandy bridge and Etretat, sights not to be missed bordering a coast that you will see in a fresh light after this trip. Marvel at the beauty of the Alabaster Coast and the diversity of its plant and animal life. Stop at Etretat. Once a fishing village, Etretat transformed itself into a seaside resort in the 19th century and became a place of inspiration for artists (Gustave Courbet, Eugène Boudin and Claude Monet), writers (Gustave Flaubert and Guy de Maupassant, Maurice Leblanc) and famous people (J. Michelet, F. Faure, the Queens of Spain, J. Bonaparte...). Etretat was the holiday spot of numerous famous opera composers and singers of the 19th century who had villas there or stayed there regularly in a comic-opera decor. The town has several remarkable chateaus, manor houses and villas, such as the Manoir de la Salamandre (a house admired by tourists and located in the main street near the hall), The Clos Lupin and the Château des Aygues which were the seaside residences of the Spanish queens Maria Christina of the Two Sicilies and Isabel II. Return by coach to Honfleur.

PLEASE NOTE

·     Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes.

·     Stop at Etretat depending on weather conditions.

Day 4:    Honfleur – Rouen:      (B/L/D)

Join us on an optional excursion for both packages: Guided tour on foot of Rouen. We'll spend the afternoon cruising. An authentic "guinguette” will recreate the atmosphere "of Sundays on the banks of the Marne.” We'll cruise through magnificent landscapes of steep chalk cliffs. Tonight is our gala dinner and evening.

Rouen Guided Tour:

We'll leave on foot for a guided tour of Rouen. The historic centre of the city and its famous cathedral are only a 5-minute walk from the ship. Stretched along the Seine, Rouen is Normandy's cultural, historical, and gastronomical capital. The exceptionally complex Notre-Dame Cathedral is renowned for the juxtaposition of all the Gothic periods - especially on the facade, which Monet painted time and again, reflecting its glory in different lights. Destroyed during the Viking invasions in 841 and, partially, in 1944, by allied bombardments, the cathedral continues to be a perpetually evolving structure. We'll then head to the market place where Joan of Arc was burned alive for heresy in 1431. The Gros-Horloge, or Great Clock, is one of the most emblematic monuments in the city. The Gothic belfry has housed the communal bells and clock of the city since its construction at the end of the 14th century. Finally, we'll visit the Saint Joan of Arc Church. Located on the Old Market Place, this large monument's construction ended in 1979 and was built both in honour of the Saint as well as the heroine celebrated by the French on the second Sunday in May. We'll return to our ship on foot at the end of the afternoon.

PLEASE NOTE:

·     Good walking shoes are recommended.

·     This excursion will occur in the morning or in the afternoon depending on the schedules of the Honfleur port.

·     The order of the visits may change.

·     Times are approximate.

Day 5:    Paris:   Cruise Concludes:    (B)

Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9.00 a.m.

End of our services.

it is time to say farewell to acquaintances, new-found friends.

At your leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward or homebound journey.

Depending on your departure itinerary, you may have time for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping. We are able to organise our private guide to accompany you.

Some guests may wish to stay another day or more. Please don’t hesitate to contact Boutique Tours & Travel for further travel arrangements

MS Deborah:
A canal barge cruise is an authentic and timeless experience. A privileged moment where you take the time to discover “la douce France” in a different way.

• Year of construction: 2016

• Number of decks: 2

• Crew members: 6

• Length: 38,5 meters

• Width: 5,07 meters

• Number of cabins: 11

• Number of passengers: 22
  PRM cabin(1): 1

UPPER DECK:  1 CABIN with high windows • 1 PRM cabin(1) - 1 large bed - 11 m2

MAIN DECK:  10 CABINS with high windows • 10 double cabins - 2 single beds - 9 m2

AMENITIES:

• TV

• Bathroom with shower and toilet

• Towels

• Hair dryer

• Telephone (for internal calls only)

• Safe

• Independent air-conditioning

• Electricity 220V

• Wi-Fi

Please note that there is no laundry service on board the ship.

TEMPORARY EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER:
Valid only during your cruise: 00 33 (0)6 85 07 82 33

Cruise Includes:

• Official welcome from the captain and crew

• Welcome cocktail & dinner

• All meals included; as per program

• Onboard drinks included (except for drinks from our special lists)

• Double occupancy cabin with shower in bathroom

• Gala Dinner with aperitif and wines

• Excursion mentioned in the program x 1

• Private services of one or more international bilingual tour guides

• The "Titi Parisien” evening - the "Paris by Night” cruise

• Assistance from our onboard multi-lingual host/ hostess

• Gala dinner

• Travel assistance and repatriation insurance - all port fees

• Free Wi-Fi onboard

Not Included:

• International and or Domestic air fares & Transfers/travel to and from departure/ arrival points

• Passport and visa fees : Requirements Valid national identity card or passport

• Cost of any ‘luggage delivery’ via FedEx or postal services

• Personal travel insurance : Cancellation and baggage insurance

• Porterage, tipping and gratuities

• Drinks from our special lists, or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers

• Excursion mentioned in the program x 1

• Any services not specifically mentioned in the program

• Personal expenses.