This wonderful itinerary is the perfect way to spend your summer holiday. Step aboard the charming MS Jane Austen, your home for the next 7 nights as you sail from Paris to Normandy along the beautiful river Seine with Riviera Travel. 

The dining onboard was absolutely amazing, better than I could have hoped for. The suites were a great size with plenty of storage space, and the French Balcony cabins had two comfy chairs positioned right next to the windows so you felt like you were actually outdoors.

All of the communal spaces onboard the ship were spacious and welcoming, but the piece de resistance was the top deck. With plenty of sunbeds, shaded areas, and a small plunge pool, this was where we found ourselves whenever we had free time onboard as it was the perfect place to watch the landscape roll by as we sailed down the river.

But I’m not here to talk about the ship, as lovely as it was. I’m here today to tell you all about the highlights of my Seine river cruise and the unexpectedly wonderful stops along the way. This itinerary is perfect for every kind of traveller - we enjoyed amazing food and wine, interesting excursions (especially good for anyone who loves history), and quaint small towns, as well as of course the star of the show, Paris!

Rouen

MS Jane Austen was moored just across the road from this quaint French town. We took the walking tour where we got to visit the cathedral and then we walked around the cobbled, winding streets where all the houses are crooked, which makes for great photos. If you want to sit and watch the world go by, head to the square and sit in one of the lovely cafes.

Bayeux and Arromanches-les-Bains

One of our longer excursions was to Bayeux where we visited the famous tapestry museum, and Arromanches where we listened to a story about the D-Day landings and visited a cemetery. This day was very emotional and sombre but an absolute must-visit on this cruise itinerary.

Les Andelys

One of our excursions was to Les Andelys one afternoon. We walked to the top of the hill behind the town where the views were absolutely stunning. Sensible shoes are a must as we chose to walk back down to the ship too which was about 15 minutes either way, although there is also a coach available.

Honfleur

Honfleur was my favourite place. It has a beautiful harbour with beautiful, colourful buildings and market stalls. We wandered around Honfleur looking in the shops and then sat and had a coffee in the harbour before heading back to the ship. Although it was only a short morning tour, Honfleur was a great place to relax and enjoy some free time.

Giverny and Vernon

A fantastic place to visit on this itinerary! We took a tour around Monet’s house and gardens, which were amazing! The gardens in particular are beautiful and it was so nice to just sit and enjoy a coffee outside with the chickens running around.

Paris

And of course Paris was a huge highlight. The cruise started and ended here and no matter how many times I visit, this city is just wonderful. Riviera offered a variety of tours to explore Paris, which would be great if you’ve never visited before or only seen a few of the sights, but we chose to wander around the city on our own as it’s so easy to get around. You can read more about visiting Paris on a luxury river cruise in my colleague's blog post.

If you'd like to sail down the Seine on the beautiful MS Jane Austen with Riviera Travel, this itinerary is available throughout this summer and also for spring/summer 2024. Don't hesitate to give me a ring on 0161 513 8200 and I will help you book this fantastic luxury river cruise.