8 Day Impressions of the Seine: Paris, Giverny & Normandy River Cruise
This package includes international airfares and flights will be added to your booking at no additional cost.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
✓ 7-night Seine river cruise from Paris to Le Havre onboard AmaDante, visiting Mantes-la-Jolie, Vernon (Giverny), Rouen and Caudebec-en-Caux
✓ Included shore excursions in each port, with a choice of experiences daily
✓ All onboard meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
✓ Onboard WiFi included
✓ Wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner
Sail the Seine from Paris to the Normandy coast, tracing the river that shaped French art and history. Along the way we reach Monet’s gardens at Giverny, medieval Rouen and the villages of the Seine valley, ending near the D-Day beaches at Le Havre.
Welcome to Paris, where our Seine voyage begins. We board our ship and settle in.
We set sail along the Seine as the evening draws in, with views of the city’s landmarks and bridges from the deck.
Special Information
Airport and port transfers are not included. Please make your own way to the ship for embarkation in Paris.
Your final travel documentation, including embarkation details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to sailing.
Visa requirements vary by nationality and by the countries visited. Australian passport holders should refer to Smartraveller and New Zealand passport holders to SafeTravel for current entry requirements, including any Schengen visa.
Today we spend the day in Paris. The Seine runs through the centre of the city, past its bridges and riverside facades.
We can take in the landmarks from the water on a Bateaux Parisiens cruise, or explore the streets by bike.
Choose from a range of included shore experiences:
We cruise west from Paris to Mantes-la-Jolie, a town on the Seine set among the villages and farmland of the Île-de-France.
Here we can join a town tour with a visit to a local bee farm, tour the Renaissance Château d’Anet, or visit a farm for a cider and cheese tasting. There is also time to take in the scenery as we cruise.
Choose from a range of included shore experiences:
We arrive in Vernon, the gateway to Giverny and the gardens of the painter Claude Monet.
We can visit Monet’s house and the water lily gardens that inspired his paintings, reach them by bike, or tour the gardens of Château d’Acquigny and the nearby Château de la Roche-Guyon.
Choose from a range of included shore experiences:
We continue to Rouen, the capital of Normandy, known for its medieval streets, timber-framed houses and Gothic cathedral.
We can explore the old town on foot or by bike, sample regional produce on a Tastes of Normandy tour, or visit the Château de Bonnemare. There is also time to enjoy the scenery as we cruise.
Choose from a range of included shore experiences:
We cruise to Caudebec-en-Caux, a small town on a bend of the Seine in the Pays de Caux, surrounded by châteaux and abbeys.
From here we can take a full day tour to Bayeux, home of the famous tapestry, and Caen, or visit the Harcourt Arboretum, the Château du Champ de Bataille and the village of Le Bec-Hellouin. The Château Etelan is also open to visit.
Choose from a range of included shore experiences:
We reach Le Havre on the Normandy coast, where the Seine meets the sea.
We can visit the D-Day landing beaches of Normandy on a full day tour, cross the estuary to the harbour town of Honfleur, or explore Le Havre itself on foot or by bike.
Choose from a range of included shore experiences:
Our Seine voyage comes to an end this morning in Le Havre. After breakfast onboard, we disembark.
Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable journey along the Seine.
Special Information
Airport and port transfers are not included. Le Havre is approximately two hours from Paris and its airports.
Impressions of the Seine sails with AmaWaterways onboard AmaDante.
AmaDante
Launched in 2008, AmaDante is one of the line’s Aria-class ships, carrying around 140 passengers across roughly 71 staterooms. Most staterooms have a French balcony with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Onboard there are two lounges, an open-seating dining room, a fitness room and spa, and a Sun Deck with a whirlpool and walking track.
The fare includes all onboard meals, wine, beer and soft drinks with dinner, and onboard WiFi, with a fleet of bicycles carried for use in port.
Guaranteed Cabin – What This Means for You
Your cabin is booked on a Guaranteed basis. This means you are confirmed in your selected cabin category (or higher), however your specific cabin number will be allocated by the cruise line closer to departure.
You may receive an upgrade at no additional cost, but cabin location and deck cannot be requested. You will enjoy all the features and inclusions of the category you have chosen, with the exact cabin details confirmed a little later.
Included Cabin Type – RiverView Stateroom (Category E / D)
The lead-in stateroom is a RiverView category (E or D) on the lower deck, with a fixed window that does not open, twin beds that convert to a queen, an ensuite bathroom and a sitting area.
Category C French Balcony Stateroom – upgrade from $2,695 per person, twin share. Solo fare on application.
French balcony staterooms feature a floor-to-ceiling sliding glass door opening onto an open-air balcony railing, allowing fresh air and river views from the room.
Australian passport holders should refer to Smartraveller and New Zealand passport holders to SafeTravel for current visa and entry requirements, including any Schengen visa.
Payment Information
Secure your trip with a $99.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
Cooling Off Period
This product is eligible for a 3 day cooling-off period.
Terms and conditions
Please review the terms and conditions here: https://www.inspiringvacations.com/au/page/terms-and-conditions
Starting Point
Your starting hotel may differ from the original itinerary. Please refer to your final documentation which will be provided approximately 14-30 days before departure for your confirmed hotel list. If you need to book pre-tour accommodation independently, we suggest you do this only once you have received your final hotel list for your tour. If you would like to book something sooner, we recommend that you book using a flexible rate that can be cancelled through your chosen third-party provider without penalty.
Travellers will arrive at various times throughout the day depending on flights booked. If arriving before standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm, you are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available as there are no scheduled activities on day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
Note: if you need to apply for a tourist visa before departure, we recommend using the details of the suggested hotel on the tour itinerary if you wish to fulfil this before the release of your final tour documentation. Please refer to our visa section for more information on whether or not a visa is required for your destination.
Arrival Details
Airport transfers are not included as part of your package. However, we trust that your journey from the airport to the hotel will be comfortable and hassle-free.
To make your way to your hotel from the airport, there are various connections by express train or limousine bus. The airport information desks can provide helpful advice, too.
Optional Airport Transfers - Transfer Portal
Depending on the package purchased, you may have the option to add airport transfers to your booking and you can do so through your Traveller Hub account. We partner with an online marketplace where travellers can compare and select the transfer of their choice.
Inspiring Vacations acts as an agent on behalf of our transfer service partner and any service is delivered by the provider. Inspiring Vacations cannot be held liable for any loss resulting from the transfer service provided. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure any transfer booked meets the requirements of any other travel arrangements. Likewise, your tour leader or any of our on-ground representatives cannot be held responsible for the service of your transfer nor are they in a position to assist with amending your reservation. Any transfer booking is separate from any other booking with Inspiring Vacations, regardless of whether purchased with regards to the same travel journey.
When you make your transfer service booking, you will receive a confirmation email and this will include your meeting instructions, as well as direct contact details. Please ensure you print and bring this with you as you will need to ensure you can make direct contact with your transfer service provider.
In Case of Emergency
Although we strive to deliver exceptional holiday experiences, unforeseen circumstances can occasionally arise during travel. If any issues arise during your tour, it's essential to promptly communicate them to your tour leader or local representative. This ensures they can take immediate action to address the problem and mitigate any negative impact on the remainder of your journey.
We understand that there may be instances where your tour leader or local representative is unable to resolve a situation to your satisfaction. In such cases, we encourage you to request that the tour leader or local representative escalate the matter to their direct manager for further assistance.
When your final tour documentation is released, this will include an emergency contact for our local travel partner while you are on tour.
Finishing Point
Your finishing hotel may differ from the original itinerary. Please refer to your final documentation which will be provided approximately 14-30 days before departure for your confirmed hotel list. If you need to book additional post-tour accommodation, please do so once you have the final hotel list. We recommend booking a flexible rate that can be changed or cancelled without penalty should there be any unforeseen changes to your booking.
Travellers will depart at various times throughout the day depending on flights booked. Check-out time is generally from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. This service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost payable directly.
Departure Details
Airport transfers are not included as part of your package. However, we trust that your journey from the hotel to the airport will be comfortable and hassle-free.
As an added service, we do offer airport transfers at an additional cost which can be booked via your Traveller Hub. We recommend you wait until you receive your final documentation to book transfers as your start and end hotels will only be confirmed at this point. Please note that if you are choosing to book an independent airport transfer service, your Inspiring Vacations Tour Leader cannot be held responsible for any unforeseen circumstances that may arise, nor can they resolve any concerns that you may have with your transfer service.
To make your way to the airport, there are various connections by train or limousine bus. Most destinations offer ride-share services, such as Uber or Didi. If you're having any problems, you can speak to hotel reception before your departure.
Accommodation
All hotels listed are subject to change; any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding requests cannot be guaranteed and are always on a request basis with the hotel.
Bedding Configuration
Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, but we can not guarantee your request will be available at all properties.
Single travellers
When booking this tour, solo travellers will be presented with two options:
1 - Single Supplement
By paying an additional $7,300.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price, you guarantee the privacy of your room throughout the entire tour.
Please note when choosing Single Supplement for this tour, your room will generally consist of a double or semi-double bed. Occasionally there may be a hotel that will provide a single bedded room for single travellers.
2- Shared Room with a known friend
If travelling together with a friend, you can opt to share your room with them and avoid paying a single supplement.
You and your friend can create a unique booking each. Creating a unique booking, gives each of you the flexibility of making different travel arrangements (such as adding extra accommodation, flights, etc), making separate payments and having individual access to our Traveller Hub
During the purchase path, you will need to provide your friend’s booking ID (if known) or at a minimum, your friend’s full name.
Itinerary Changes
Please note that as part of our commitment to constantly improving our passenger experience, there may be itinerary changes between the time of booking and when you travel. These changes are always made with your experience in mind and will be clearly communicated in advance if they affect your booking.
Trusted Travel Partner Tour
Your chosen tour will be operated by one of our trusted travel partners. These are meticulously crafted tours designed by established travel partners we know and trust. These tours offer a unique and exciting way to explore the world, packed with incredible sights and experiences
Documentation
Travel documentation is sent digitally 30 days before departure. No postal documents are issued. You must complete your cruise personaliser directly with the cruise line. We cannot complete this on your behalf. Visit the Know Before You Go section for guidance, and you will receive an email reminder when it is time to complete this.
Visas & Entry Requirements
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your tour and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your tour. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the visa entry requirements for your nationality via our page here:
https://inspiringvacations-8357211.hs-sites.com/visa-information
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.
We need your passport information to get everything ready for your tour so the information on your booking must match your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended on all our tours. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. It is also important to consider forced pre-tour cancellations and how your chosen insurance policy may cover such circumstances, so please keep this in mind when choosing your provider.
We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international tours, you will be asked by your tour leader for your travel insurance details if they were not already added to your Traveller Hub account pre-departure.
If you have credit card insurance your Inspiring Vacations tour leader or local guide may require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details before arriving in-country.
Before you depart, you will be asked to submit your Travel Insurance details through the booking holder's Traveller Hub account through the Inspiring Vacations website. This is to ensure that we have this information readily available should we ever need it.
Official Travel Advice
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, we recommend referring to the official travel advisory website of your home country for the latest updates on your chosen destination. These websites provide valuable information on:
Here is a help link to get you started:
In the unlikely event of a situation that could potentially disrupt your tour, we want to assure you of the following:
By staying informed and working together, we can ensure a fantastic travel experience for you. We will post our own travel updates to our website here.
Post-Tour Feedback
Once your booking is confirmed, you will receive a link to a post-purchase survey, which is your opportunity to share your feedback with us on your booking experience and interactions with our Sales and Customer Success teams. This feedback is invaluable to ensure that we are servicing our customers to the best of our ability.
Terms and Conditions
For the full terms and conditions for Inspiring Vacations, please see HERE.