Seine
France
The Seine River provides a gentle voyage through stunning scenery, from the romantic iconic port of Paris to the charming picturesque city of Honfleur. Wine tours are quite popular along this river, as are gastronomic treats such as brie cheese, Normandy cider, and more! The Seine has also witnessed many historical figures such as Vincent van Gogh, Joan of Arc, and Claude Monet.
The Seine is the longest navigable river in France, at 780km long (or 485 miles). It also carries more commercial freight than any other waterway in the country, due to how slow-flowing and wide it is.
Seine cruises run aboard some of the smallest ships in this guide, generally under 180 passengers, sailing a short round trip out of Paris over four to seven nights — compact enough to work well as a first river cruise, and easy to combine with extra time in Paris on either end. Spring, when Normandy's orchards are in bloom, and early fall are the most popular sailing windows.
Ports of Call
Paris, France
The biggest highlight along the Seine River is the romantic and glamorous city of Paris. The river flows through the center of the city with 37 bridges built over it. Paris has drawn in plenty of artists, composers, philosophers, and writers with its elegant beauty. It's widely known for its haute couture, stunning architecture, and fine cuisine.
Conflans-Ste-Honorine, France
Often called "Conflans" for short, this city sits where the Seine and the Oise meet. A chain was once laid on the bed of the Seine River to haul barges upstream to Paris, making Conflans an important shipping center. Many people like to visit the Montjoie Tower and St-Maciou Church here. Conflans also hosts a 3-day religious festival every June, that riverships all flock to for cruisers to attend. Many riverships dock overnight in this town.
Melun, France
Like Paris, Melun is located on both riverbanks of the Seine. This town holds many food products of the agricultural district of southern Brie. Brie de Melun is made here, and is quite famous for having a completely different taste and texture than other bries. On an island where the river branches off, is the ancient church of Notre-Dame. This church is a highlight for visitors to this town. If time allows, another major highlight is the 17th-century Château de Fontainebleau, found 6km (4 miles) from Melun.
Giverny, France
Receiving over 500,000 visitors a year, Giverny is one of France's most popular tourist towns. This is because Giverny is the world-famous location of Claude Monet's water-lily pond painting. Monet lived in this town for 43 years drawing inspiration from it, so many tourists arrive in Giverny to paint and recreate the same inspiring artwork. A visit to the house and the garden is a must for all who appreciate the work of Monet, despite the crowds of people here. Also worth a look, and found on the main street, is the Musée d'Art Americain Giverny. This museum holds the works of US-born Impressionists who were also inspired by Claude Monet.
Rouen, France
As France's 4th largest port, the city of Rouen is also known as the "City of 100 Spires". Terribly destroyed during World War II, this city has since been thoroughly restored. Many visitors like to see the glorious Cathédrale Notre Dame, of which a section of it was painted by Claude Monet. His work is now housed in the Musée des Beaux Arts. Another highlight is the medieval Eglise St-Maclou, housing remarkable wood carvings. But perhaps the biggest attraction, and the area that everyone desires to see, is the marker where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in 1431, believing to have been a witch.
Caudebec-en-Caux, France
Caudebec-en-Caux is a medieval town very close to Rouen. Cruise by the pretty Normandy landscape, with views of orchards, fields, and wooded forests. The biggest highlight in town is a visit to the Eglise Notre Dame. Built in Flamboyant Gothic style, the church has many delicate spires, intricate stone carvings, and flying buttresses. Another highlight in town is a visit to Jumièges Abbey, established in 1067.
Honfleur, France
Typically busy with commercial river traffic, the charming and pretty port city of Honfleur is where most river cruises turn around to head back to Paris. The inner harbor is especially picture perfect. Medieval houses sit above a colorful fishing and yacht harbor, and many artists are attracted to this spot. You can view the work of Monet, and of Boudin and other Impressionists in the Musée Eugène Boudin. It's a very popular activity to purchase some French bread and cheese or duck pâté, and have a picnic by the river.
