Seine to Atlantic Viva Luxury River Cruise

Day 1

We depart for Dover, making our Channel crossing with P&O Ferries. We then head to our overnight hotel, with comfort/lunch stops as required.

Day 2 (Cruise Day 1)

This morning we depart our overnight hotel after a relaxed breakfast. We continue our journey, making our way to Paris, with suitable comfort/lunch stops. We will embark the MS VIVA GLORIA late afternoon. Our ship departs Paris at 17:00.

Day 3 (Cruise Day 2)

While you enjoy your delicious breakfast, the captain will have moored in Les Andelys, a small town dominated by one of the most spectacular sights of the whole valley - Château Gaillard. This morning we will discover the history behind this remarkable castle. The remarkable Château Gaillard guards the top of the river bend and was built in the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart to defend Rouen from the French. Château Gaillard was often besieged during the turbulent history of northern France and is now one of the most dramatic ruins in the region.
Les Andelys: smooth paths
Château Gaillard: short walking distance from the castle. Paths can be uneven up to the castle!

Day 4 (Cruise Day 3)

We wake up in Rouen, the capital of Normandy, one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Europe and the scene of many important events over the centuries. The outstanding feature of our guided tour of the city is the impressive Gothic cathedral, immortalised by the great impressionist Claude Monet in a series of 28 paintings showing the façade at different times of the day and in different weather conditions. The cathedral briefly became the tallest building in the world when the tall tower was added in the 19th century. It is also famous for the reclining statue that is said to contain the heart of Richard the Lionheart.
The winding streets of Rouen are a revelation, lined with antique shops, tasteful boutiques and, of course, countless restaurants offering exceptional regional cuisine and highlighting the country's outstanding gastronomic heritage. The Place du Vieux-Marché is one of the most poignant places in the city. A large cross marks the point where the Virgin of Orleans Jeanne d'Arc was chosen for her faith was burned at the stake.
No gradient, smooth paths and partly cobblestones.

Day 5 (Cruise Day 4)

Today we wake up in Le Havre. You have two days here, you have free time to either relax on board, enjoying the ships facilities or disembark and have a wander or explore Le Havre.

Le Havre is the busiest city in Normandy. The metropolis is located directly on the English Channel in the northwest of France. Thanks to the work of the architect Auguste Perret, the city centre was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique architecture. In the heart of the metropolis, the church of St. Joseph is an impressive building. Several thousand glass blocks were incorporated into the church. The city hall of Le Havre is also impressive. A more than 70-metre high tower belongs to the impressive building. In all of Europe there is no bigger town hall square than in this French city. The cathedral Notre-Dame is also admirable. In the middle of the centre of the metropolis there is the mighty building from the 16th century. The bridge Pont de Normandie provides a gigantic view. With a remarkable 856 metres, it connects the two banks of the Seine.

Day 6 (Cruise Day 5)

Today is our second day in Le Havre. Choose to stay on board relaxing and enjoying the facilities on board or disembark to take in some of this city's beautiful architecture.

Day 7 (Cruise Day 6)

One of the great joys of river cruising is the magical feeling of waking up in a different place than the night before. Today the ship will have moored in beautiful Vernon and we take the short trip to Giverny. We will visit Monet's garden and house. The artist himself described his garden as his "most beautiful masterpiece" and it is certainly one of the most photographed and painted gardens in the world. The Japanese-inspired water garden, shaded by large weeping willows and surrounded by bamboo, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the water lily pond where he painted his extraordinary series Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies). Here you can soak up the tranquil atmosphere as you marvel at the light reflected by the leaves of each colour and the magical reflections dancing from the water.

Day 8 (Cruise Day 7)

We have arrived in Paris and this morning we are taking a city tour of this amazing capital, one of the most famous cities in the world. Visit the Place de la Concorde with the Obelisk of Luxor, the largest square in Paris, the Champs-Elysées, one of the most impressive boulevards in the world, the Cathedral of the Invalides, an important dome and burial place for Napoleon I, the huge triumphal arch with the tomb of the unknown soldier and of course the Eiffel Tower, the "iron" symbol of the city. Paris is everything you imagine. It is romantic, inspiring, lively - even outrageous - but best of all, Paris is unique and a fitting finale to a wonderful cruise.

Day 9 (Cruise Day 8)

We depart MS Viva Gloria after breakfast. We make our way to Calais for our Channel crossing with P&O Ferries, with comfort stops en-route, including a suitable lunch stop. Arriving back in East Sussex early evening.

CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, EM=Evening Meal