Paris referred to as to me with its iconic sights, excellent museums, unbelievable structure, and tremendous French meals and wine. No surprise it’s considered one of Europe’s predominant attracts.
Once I learn the Riviera River Cruises itinerary that begins and ends in Paris, with stops in Normandy, I knew it was for me. I’d go to wondrous locations in Normandy I’d longed to see: the Rouen Cathedral, Bayeux Tapestry, and the D-Day touchdown websites. Plus, I’d get to revisit Monet’s Gardens.
I flew to Paris with my boyfriend, John, and we boarded the Jane Austen round 5 pm. MS Jane Austen, in-built 2015, holds a most of 140 passengers, a super measurement boat so far as I’m involved. I a lot choose small river cruise boats to mega ocean liners. The opposite passengers turn into pals as you run into them throughout meals and excursions.
In case you are questioning in regards to the identify, Riviera River Cruises boats are historically named after well-known authors: Emily Bronte, Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde, Geoffrey Chaucer, George Eliot, Lord Byron, William Shakespeare, and William Wordsworth.
E book this cruise your self! MS Jane Austen MS Jane Austen (cruisecompete.com)
2022 Sails: Aug 23, Aug 30, Sep 6, Sep 13, Sep 20, Sep 27, Oct 11, Oct 25
2023 Sails: Apr 4, Apr 11, Apr 18, Apr 25, Could 2, Could 9, Could 16, Could 23, Could 30, Jun 6, Jun 13, Jun 20, Jun 27, Jul 4, Jul 11, Jul 18, Jul 25, Aug 1, Aug 8, Aug 15, Aug 22, Aug 29, Sep 5, Sep 12, Sep 19, Sep 26, Oct 3, Oct 10, Oct 17, Oct 24
See all River Cruises departing from Paris
This cruise visits: Europe River Cruises, Seine River Cruises
Europe Shore Excursions
We have been warmly welcomed into the glowing foyer, registered, and escorted to our cabin on the higher Diamond Deck. This deck additionally contains an air-conditioned statement lounge and bar. We discovered a queen-sized mattress, flooring to ceiling home windows that slide open. There isn’t a balcony space, however you nearly really feel like you’re standing outside if you open the sliding doorways.
We took a number of moments to unpack and settle. One of many important benefits of cruising just isn’t having to switch baggage continuously.
Our lavatory was small, as anticipated, however practical. Once you aren’t having a shower, leaving the doorways open offers extra room, or it not less than feels that method. L’Occitane equipment, a French luxurious line, have been offered.
A welcome bottle of champagne arrived that we opened instantly. What a beautiful method to rejoice the start of a cruise.
We have been quickly prepared for dinner, because it had been a protracted journey day. The principle restaurant rests on the mid-deck, under our cabin. It’s lined with massive home windows. Riviera’s coverage is open seating, so that they gained’t assign tables. The restaurant was not busy as many passengers arrived late, so we had a desk to ourselves and loved a scrumptious multi-course meal and wine (included within the drinks bundle at lunch and dinner.) We observed the central space is used for breakfast and lunch buffets.
Whereas we have been drained sufficient to go to mattress, at 10 pm, the captain would start our journey and transfer the boat nearer to the small reproduction of the statue of Liberty (keep in mind, the N.Y. girl was given to us from France) and the glittering Eiffel Tower within the distance. It’s magical to see the illuminated icon glowing like a fireworks show.
The next day, we reached the village of Les Andelys, seeing Chateau Galliard on the hillside. The buildings are ruins of Richard the Lionhearted fort constructed between 1196-1198 (sure, that previous!). This Riviera cruise options 9 included visits and excursions. On this present day, Riviera took two teams of visitors on an tour to the positioning within the afternoon. One group selected to view the ruins from an overlook after which hike to discover them. The second group simply neglected the fort. My group walked downhill and again up, then explored the ruins with excellent panoramic views. When prepared, we strolled downhill into the charming city with half-timbered buildings. I’d by no means heard of Les Andelys earlier than this cruise however was charmed.
Later we loved one other four-course dinner, at all times with desk linens, silver service, and wine. You could select from three entrees of the day (one is vegetarian) or decide from the always-available salmon and beef dinners. The eating room employees have been extraordinarily pleasant and useful.
We left the dock in Les Andelys early as a result of a sound and light-weight present can be projected onto the façade of Rouen Cathedral at 11pm. Oh expensive, one other late evening! Nevertheless, don’t miss it in case you get the prospect. The explosion of vibrant colours and technological mastery mesmerized the viewers, who watched in surprised silence. Unbelievable! What an sudden bonus and unbelievable day.
The subsequent morning, John and I bought up early to stroll into city so I might {photograph} the cathedral earlier than the realm grew to become crowded with vacationers. We returned in time to take Riviera’s guided strolling tour of the town, studying in regards to the cathedral’s lengthy historical past and Joan of Arc. Joan was burned at stake in Rouen after her trial. A contemporary church stands on the positioning, architecturally unappealing to me, however as soon as inside, aglow with a wonderful wall of stained glass home windows. We lingered on the finish of the tour, having fun with a espresso, and purchasing.
After lunch, our cruise continued crusing down the Seine in the direction of Caudebec. Many passengers frolicked enjoyable on the Solar Deck, and gazing on the limestone cliffs and villages alongside the river. Later within the afternoon, however earlier than cocktail hour, the Riviera Cruise Director, Anette, offered an outline of the subsequent day’s tour. That is most useful, together with the maps and detailed descriptions of the websites within the tour packet provided in every cabin. The bundle is complete and a beautiful memento to recall your journey.
The visitors have been bused to Bayeux the next morning- a two-hour trip. The little city incorporates one other magnificent cathedral, however its calling card is the priceless 950-year-old Bayeux Tapestry. Having accomplished needlework in my youthful years, I appreciated the intricate element and symmetry all through the 230-foot-long beautiful masterpiece. It tells the story of William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hasting.
Since we might be out all day, Riviera offered bag lunches. I hate to confess it, however the white bread sandwich was not the best- only one factor slice of meat and cheese. They added fruit, a salad, a sweet bar, and juice.
The D-Day touchdown websites got here subsequent, and Riviera went out of its method for us Individuals. Whereas the opposite passengers, all Brits, have been taken to Arromanches, British battlefield websites, and the brand new British Memorial, John and I have been pushed to Pointe du Hoc. Right here the U.S. troopers climbed the steep cliffs whereas encountering enemy hearth. The braveness of those younger troopers overwhelms you if you see the bombed-out panorama and base of the German artillery weapons. I now significantly better perceive what occurred in Normandy.
We moved on to Omaha Seashore, one other U.S. touchdown web site. The sandy expanse shocked me; it was filled with sunbathers and swimmers. A surprising memorial stands on the seaside, honoring the vital occasions that occurred alongside this pretty seaside in 1944. One other monument stands within the open city sq..
The final cease was the 172-acre American Cemetery, with 9,387 American Struggle Lifeless graves. The peaceable cemetery with white crosses stretched so far as the attention can see honors the Individuals misplaced within the Normandy battles. It’s an emotionally tough place to go to, however one which retains alive the reminiscence of those that fought bravely to defend world freedom. We owe them a lot. The previous three days of the cruise provided distinctive excursions now deeply etched in my reminiscence.
Honfleur, a medieval village with slender cobblestone alleys and a central rectangular harbor within the center, offered the subsequent day’s go to. It was market day, so overly crowded for my liking. I’m positive others liked it! However, had it not been a market day, I’d have loved photographing the streets of half-timber buildings, church buildings, and harbor.
For a change, we reserved dinner within the Lido Bistro on the terrace degree on the again of the ship. I selected chateaubriand, and your entire meal was unbelievable. The Lido serves an early breakfast in case you rise up early and wish meals at 6:30 am. Additionally they have an espresso and cappuccino-making machine open 24/7. John was a fan of the espresso.
A cease in Vernon introduced us to Monet’s Home and Backyard named Giverny. His colourful residence encompasses a buttery- lemon yellow eating room and a beautiful blue and white tiled kitchen. Upstairs in the home, we noticed the bedrooms and loved the prospect to look out the open home windows over the gardens. The flower gardens supply many pathways to roam round.
An under-road tunnel results in the water and lily pond gardens. These weren’t as colourful as I recalled; maybe the recent climate was in charge. They’re beautiful anyway however are crowded. You possibly can think about Monet sitting in his rowboat and portray the enduring scene. Afterward, John walked as much as Monet’s grave whereas I shopped. The present store right here is in depth and among the finest.
Within the afternoon, we explored Vernon on our personal. The Outdated Mill Home is a well-liked web site for photographers, and a bit of fort subsequent door provides to the scene. If solely Rapunzel have been inside, letting her lengthy hair move down the fort partitions!
Sadly, it was nearing the top of the cruise. We docked in Paris and spent the evening. Everybody was taken for a bus tour of the numerous Paris websites the next morning. For a break, we stopped at Luxembourg Gardens and noticed a number of kids floating boats on the pond and gardeners at work. It is a standard park for Parisians, however they usually go away the town in August.
The bus tour continued till we got here to the Eiffel Tower. Most of the visitors determined to remain and discover on their very own. John and I walked all the way down to Napoleon’s tomb and loved lunch at an outside café. We made a really lengthy stroll again to the boat. If I have been to counsel, it might be to run a bus to select up those that stayed– maybe three hours later.
That night we have been all handled to probably the most unbelievable dinner. I consider it was seven programs, ending with flaming Baked Alaska. I used to be very impressed with all of the meals and the meals high quality. It was above my expectations, for positive. (FYI: you should definitely select a cheese course for dessert someday. The cheese is phenomenal, and the chutney completely tops it off.)
The final morning, John and I left the boat by way of taxi as we have been staying in Paris for 2 extra days. The remainder of the passengers have been shuttled to the airport or prepare station.
Captain Ludovic was an actual charmer. He’s solely 33 years previous however has spent his whole life on the water. He was born on a cargo ship. He takes his function very severely; after I interviewed him, he stated, “the factor that the majority worries him are the opposite boats. I do know what I’m doing, however I can’t predict what they may do.”
Cruise director Anette and her assistant Helena have been very thorough, calm, and useful. We didn’t appear to have any issues, however I don’t doubt they might have managed any scenario.
One evening we loved enjoying trivia after dinner. Actually, a lot of the visitors onboard joined in. This was a enjoyable method to prolong the night. There may be not a lot leisure on the cruise in case you are anticipating that.
I by no means had time to go to the Emerald Deck for the spa and wellness space. Nevertheless, John and I did go to the machine room with the chief engineer, who defined the ship’s working. He’s very competent and a necessary member of the crew.
I’d completely advocate Riviera River Cruises and crusing with them once more. I really feel the boat, the employees, and the cruise line supply an genuine journey expertise at an affordable price.
Because of Riviera for sending a packet of journey paperwork earlier than departure that answered all questions. They offered emergency contact numbers simply in case.
Many, many because of Riviera River Cruises for a wonderful journey and AllThingsCruise.com for arranging this pretty cruise.
See sailings right here MS Jane Austen and Riviera River Cruises (cruisecompete.com)
Cowl photograph courtesy Riviera River Cruises / Others courtesy Debi Lander
Debi Lander is a contract author and photographer who makes a speciality of journey, meals and way of life and a contributor to All Issues Cruise
See additionally MS Jane Austen Crusing ~The Seine, Paris and Normandy / Making ready for My Riviera River Cruises Journey – All Issues Cruise
