Excursions on the Seine

12 excursions available

Honfleur

We’ll be greeted by our guide for a tour on foot of the city. Honfleur, the cradle of Impressionism, is located at the mouth of the Seine as it flows into the English Channel. This fortified city played a very important strategic role during the Hundred Years' War. Commercial and maritime developments intensified during the 16th and 17th centuries, and shipyards became prominent here a century later. The tour will begin at the old port, the most charming area in the city. The narrow houses squeezed against each other are quite a unique sight. This tour has just one rule: enjoy! Next, we’ll see Saint Catherine’s Church, the largest wooden church in France. Then we’ll head to the salt warehouses, huge structures dating back to the 17th century. Our tour will wind up with a visit to Saint Léonard Church. Its Gothic-style entrance is a sight to behold. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. Good walking shoes are recommended.

4h00Authentic

Included

Paris: Discover Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Join us for a guided tour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, one of the cradles of Parisian culture. Take your time in the small bookstores, boutiques, and art galleries. Indulge in the best that France has to offer at the most exquisite pastry, chocolate, and wine shops! We’ll also stroll through the Grande Epicerie, an impressive showcase that will feed both your eyes and appetite. It’s a food-lover’s paradise! Our special treat during this tour will be a tasting gift box. PLEASE NOTE For optimal organization of your excursion, the order of the visits can be modified. Times are approximate and can change according to navigational conditions.

4h00Authentic

Included

Père Lachaise Cemetery

Next stop: Père Lachaise Cemetery, one of the most famous resting places in the world. It might seem a bit of a macabre way to spend an afternoon, but because there are so many famous tombs, and such artistry in the graves, it becomes something like a visit to a museum. There are many graves here with famous “residents,” including Chopin, Moliere, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, and of course, Jim Morrison. PLEASE NOTE For optimal organization of your excursion, the order of the visits can be modified. Times are approximate and can change according to navigational conditions.

3h30Authentic

Included

Visit to the Opéra Garnier

Immerse yourself in the sumptuous world of the Opéra Garnier, one of Paris’s most iconic landmarks. Inaugurated in 1875 and designed by architect Charles Garnier, this masterpiece of Neo-Baroque architecture embodies all the refinement of the Second Empire. As the festive season approaches, its majestic architecture and grand ceremonial spaces take on a particularly elegant atmosphere, enhanced by seasonal decorations. During the visit, you will discover the spectacular Grand Staircase, the true heart of the building, where the elegant figures of Parisian high society once gathered. You will then stroll through richly decorated salons and foyers adorned with gilding, mosaics and monumental chandeliers, reflecting the 19th century’s taste for splendour and theatricality. The Grand Foyer, inspired by the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, reveals all its magnificence through its mirrors, painted ceilings and glittering décor. During the Christmas season, a majestic Christmas tree often enhances this already exceptional setting, adding an extra touch of magic to this emblematic venue. The visit will continue in the famous auditorium, a true jewel of French operatic art. Dominated by its immense chandelier and the celebrated ceiling painted by Marc Chagall, it offers a unique setting where tradition, art and emotion come together. A fascinating discovery in the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful opera houses, enhanced by the spirit of the festive season. PLEASE NOTE For optimal organization of your excursion, the order of the visits can be modified. Times are approximate and can change according to navigational conditions.

Authentic

Included

Guided tour of the Château de Malmaison

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 Good walking shoes are recommended. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. 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.

3h00Authentic

Included

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Paris and old-time Montmartre

Guided tour of Montmartre*. A hill that reaches a height of about 427 feet, located in the north of Paris, Montmartre has long been known as the premier artist's enclave in the city. Montmartre's most recognizable landmark is the bright-white Sacré-Coeur Basilica, constructed from 1875 to 1914. Inside the Roman-Byzantine style place of worship, the ceiling is decorated with the largest mosaic in France. From the top of the Butte Montmartre, you'll experience one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the capital. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

3h30Authentic

Included

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Honfleur and the Côte Fleurie

We'll meet up with our guide and set off on the tour on foot. 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 with 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. We'll then set out for our coach tour of the Côte Fleurie, stopping for lunch on the way. Our first stop will be Deauville, one of the most prestigious seaside resorts in all of France. We'll stroll along the famous boardwalk, built in 1923. After, we'll continue on to the Château du Breuil. The Château du Breuil company produces its own cider, coming from a 100% natural fermentation. When the cider has reached its proper flavor, distillation can start and the process of making the quality Calvados begins. The tour will come to a close after enjoying a tasting, of course. We'll return on board. PLEASE NOTE Times are approximate. The order of the visits can change.

9h00Authentic

Included

Tour of Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Departure by coach from the Trocadero for Saint-Germain-des-Pres following the Voie Triomphale. We'll pass the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées and the Place de la Concorde - locations just bursting with history. Take some time to stroll through the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood and discover the history, architecture, art, and everyday life of these legendary sites that have come to symbolize Paris. Built up around the former Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this neighborhood became the meeting place of intellectuals and philosophers, actors and musicians during the existentialist movement right after World War II. You can still sense the village-like ambiance in spots such as the street market on the rue de Buci. Closer to the Odeon, we'll discover many of the famous participants of the French Revolution, including Danton, Marat, and Dr. Guillotin. After our visit, we'll return to the ship by coach. PLEASE NOTE Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes for this excursion. The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate. Please note : for groups, transfer by coach is not included for excursions.

4h00Authentic

Included

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Musée Marmottan in Paris

This museum houses the largest collection of paintings by Claude Monet and provides an overview of how his work developed, from the first paintings of his youth to the water lilies, his mature works. (Museum closed on Mondays, in this case, visit of the Parc de l'Orangerie). PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

2h00Authentic

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THE CHARMING VILLAGE OF BARBIZON

We’ll leave by coach for a guided tour of Barbizon, an idyllic village set on the edge of the forest surrounding Fontainebleau. The tranquil setting here attracted many 19th-century landscape painters. Their movement, the precursor of Impressionism, became known as the Barbizon School. The Auberge Ganne is where the artists gathered to inspire each other. It is now a museum celebrating this era in art history. The quaint village streets are lined with small homes, charming boutiques, interesting restaurants, and intriguing art galleries. After following the footsteps of famous artists such as Corot, Daubigny, and Millet on the “Painter’s Trail,” we’ll stop at the Auberge Ganne, a virtual time capsule that brings you back to the origins of the movement and the influence it had on the village and the art world. After our tour, enjoy some free time strolling through the village streets and browsing the boutiques, the workshops and galleries. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

5h00Authentic

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Visit of Le Havre and the MuMa Museum

Departure on foot for a guided tour of Le Havre, a port city with remarkable Impressionist heritage. It was here that Claude Monet painted Impression, Sunrise, the iconic work that gave its name to the Impressionist movement.Le Havre, marked by the events of 1944, has today transformed into a modern city, the result of bold reconstruction. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its innovative architecture, it perfectly embodies the meeting of its historical past and a resolutely present modernity.Continue your visit at the André Malraux Museum of Modern Art (MuMa), which houses an exceptional collection of Impressionist and modern art. Thanks to donations and bequests from local Havre families and American collectors, the museum owns several paintings by Claude Monet, as well as works by other artists inspired by the sea, light, and the ever-changing horizon of the Norman coastline.The MuMa goes beyond the role of a mere museum. Its modernist architecture, designed by Malraux, unfolds to merge with the sea. With its large windows, it offers a spectacular view of the Seine estuary, immersing you in a unique atmosphere where art and nature interact in perfect harmony. Return to the boat on foot. PLEASE NOTE The order of visits can change. Times are approximate.

3h00Authentic

Included

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In the intimate setting of a Parisian private mansion, visit to the Jacquemart-André Museum

Departure by coach to the Jacquemart-André Museum. In this breathtaking 19th-century residence, you will immerse yourself in the private salons of Édouard André and Nélie Jacquemart. In this exceptional and intimate setting, you will admire one of the finest private art collections in Paris. Originally started with small pieces of goldsmithing, ceramics, and tapestries, Édouard André’s collection gradually expanded to include true masterpieces such as paintings by great masters like Delacroix, Fragonard, and Botticelli. Decorative arts are equally well represented, with furniture, tapestries, and objects bearing prestigious hallmarks enhancing the residence and reflecting the couple’s lifelong priority: building a remarkable art collection. More than just a museum, the house was, in the 19th century, a major social venue where lavish balls and receptions—welcoming up to a thousand guests—were regularly held. With its unique setting, prestigious collections, and refined social atmosphere, the Jacquemart-André Museum offers a window into the world of the Parisian elite of the time, marked by the exquisite taste of its owners. Return on board. PLEASE NOTE The order of the visits can change. Times are approximate.

4h00Authentic

Included