Paris & Normandy with AmaWaterways
7 night Paris & Normandy River cruise with shore excursions in Honfleur, the historic Normandy Beaches, medieval Rouen, and the heart of Auvers-sur-Oise; optional 2 nights Paris Pre-cruise extension
Overview
Style | Independent PackageThese un-escorted packages have no set schedule or guides, so you have the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own from your centrally-located hotel. More of these packages
Freedom to explore at your own pace; unescorted |
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Departures | March 2025 – October 2026 | ||
Themes | Grand Tours, Bucket List, River Cruises | ||
Activity Level | Easy | ||
What to Expect | Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. |
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Paris, arguably one of the most beautiful cities globally, will captivate you with its romantic atmosphere, while Normandy beckons with its stunning coastline, incredible cuisine, and artistic allure. Let the unmatched beauty of Monet's Gardens and the charming harbor town of Honfleur inspire you just as they once inspired the great Impressionists. For a unique kind of inspiration, travel the "Routes des Abbayes" to discover some of the most magnificent monasteries and explore the unforgettable beaches of Normandy, where Allied forces landed during WWII's D-Day invasion. Relive the grandeur of royalty at Château de Bizy, once referred to as "the Versailles of Normandy." Blend a passion for the good life with colorful culture, timeless art, exclusive architecture, and timeless landscapes, and you have Northern France.
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR) on scheduled carriers, including taxes & fees
- Airport transfers
- 7 nights aboard 5-star AmaWaterways in an outside stateroom
- 20 Meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner; sparkling wine and juices at breakfast
- Welcome Cocktail, Welcome Dinner, Captain’s Cocktail and Gala Dinner
- Sandwiches, snacks and refreshments served daily in the Main Lounge
- Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour
- Choice of daily shore excursions with personal headsets
- Entertainment on board
- Port taxes
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- 2 nights Paris pre-cruise – please call for details
Why you'll love it
- Spend 7 nights aboard your 5-star AmaWaterways cruise ship.
- Uncover the history of Château Gaillard, the former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart, situated on the chalk cliffs high above the Seine.
- Admire the picturesque harbor of the seaside town of Honfleur, renowned for being an inspirational site for Impressionist painters.
- Experience the Normandy region with one of three tours: explore the American sector of the historic Normandy Beaches; tour the Gold and Juno beaches in the British and Canadian sectors; or, journey the Romanesque Normandy Abbey Route.
- Enjoy medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions, including tours of Lyons-la-Forêt, the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, a guided bike tour, or a “Tastes of Normandy” tour.
- Visit the regal 18th-century Château de Bizy, inspired by the opulence of Versailles.
- Travel to Auberge Ravoux in the heart of Auvers-sur-Oise, the last home of artist Vincent van Gogh.
- Embark on a panoramic tour of Paris and see Paris’ most famous sights, including the charming Latin Quarter and the 400-year-old Luxembourg Gardens.
- Join an optional guided bike tour through the charming town of Les Andelys.
Itinerary at a Glance
Dates & Prices
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your journey to France begins this evening as you depart from the USA
Day 2 Paris, France
- Arrive in Paris, France
- Embark on your river cruise and set sail
Full Day ItineraryDay 3 Les Andelys
- Enjoy a morning tour of Château Gaillard
- Or, embark on a Château Gaillard Hike
- Or, set off on a Les Andelys bike tour
- Enjoy scenic cruising along the Seine
Full Day ItineraryUncover the history of Château Gaillard, the former stronghold of Richard the Lionheart, situated on the chalk cliffs high above the Seine, on a morning tour. Or, if you prefer a more active adventure, you can hike there from the banks of the Seine, admiring the scenic views along the way. For those who wish to explore the area on two wheels, join a guided bike tour through the charming town of Les Andelys. After your adventures, set sail along the meandering Seine for a scenic cruise.
Day 4 Le Havre
- Enjoy a tour of Honfleur
- Or, join a full-day excursion in Honfleur and the Pays d’Auge region of Normandy
- Have the opportunity to join a city tour of Le Havre
- Or, explore Le Havre on a bike tour
Full Day ItineraryThere are several different choices of excursions, both during the morning and afternoon, depending on your interests. Enjoy a tour of the seaside town of Honfleur, renowned for its picturesque harbor and for being an inspirational site for Impressionist painters. Or, enjoy a full-day excursion that includes Honfleur and the delicious Pays d’Auge region of Normandy, where apple cider, Calvados, and pommeau outrank French wine. Enjoy a country drive through Beaumont-en-Auge and Pont l’Eveque, and afterward, be treated to a cheese and Calvados tasting. In the afternoon, have the opportunity to join a city tour of the UNESCO-designated Le Havre. Alternatively, you can go on a bike tour through Le Havre.
Day 5 Le Havre, Caudebec-en-Caux & Normandy Beaches
- Experience the Normandy region on one of three tours
Full Day ItineraryExperience the Normandy region with one of three tours. For those wishing to go to the American sector of the historic Normandy Beaches, visit the cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, Omaha Beach, the artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer, and the village of Arromanches, where you will see the remains of the floating harbor used during the WWII landings. Alternatively, you may tour the Gold and Juno beaches in the British and Canadian sectors and visit Ranville Cemetery, Pegasus Bridge, the Canadian cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, the WWII museum in Courseulle, and Arromanches. Finally, suppose you wish to experience a different inspiration in Caudebec-en-Caux in the afternoon. In that case, the Romanesque Normandy Abbey Route will take you to one of the magnificent historic abbeys of the region. Or, you can journey back in time with the interactive exhibits and vessels at the Seine Museum.
Day 6 Rouen
- Enjoy medievel Rouen on a walking or bike tour
- Have the chance to explore Lyons-la-Foret
- Or, taste your way through Normandy on a "Tastes of Normandy" tour
Full Day ItinerarySpend the morning enjoying medieval Rouen with a choice of several excursions. Join a walking tour and see the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, the Medieval Quarter, and the Great Clock. Have the chance to explore Lyons-la-Forêt, built on the site of a former fortress and features remarkable centuries-old architecture. Or, embark on the “Tastes of Normandy” tour and treat yourself to the delicious flavors of the region, including chocolate, Norman cheese, and cider. For a more active excursion, join a guided bike tour.
Day 7 Vernon
- Enjoy scenic cruising around Vernon
- Visit Claude Monet's home and gardens in Giverny
- Or, visit the regal 18th-century Château de Bizy
- Or, embrace the French countryside on a scenic bike tour
- In the evening, enjoy free time to explore La Roche-Guyon
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy scenic cruising around Vernon before disembarking the ship for your excursion. You will have a choice of three excursions, depending on your interests. Visit Claude Monet's home and gardens in Giverny. Art lovers will immediately recognize images immortalized in Monet's most beloved paintings—such as water lilies, Japanese bridges, and graceful willow trees. Wander around his famous gardens and home, where he lived for over four decades. Or visit the regal 18th-century Château de Bizy, inspired by the opulence of Versailles. Enjoy an escorted tour of the palace and gardens. If you prefer a more active adventure, join a guided bike tour, embracing the beautiful French countryside. In the evening, visit the quaint village of La Roche-Guyon, one of the most beautiful in France, and enjoy free time to stroll along the Seine or amid the stunning architecture.
Note: Monet's Gardens may be closed; therefore, an alternative tour will operate instead.
Day 8 Paris
- Discover Paris' most famous sites on a panoramic tour
- Travel to Auberge Ravoux in the heart of Auvers-sur-Oise, the last home of artist Vincent van Gogh
- Or, enjoy the architecture of the Chateau Saint-Germain-en-Laye
- Or, spend your free time exploring Paris
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy some of Paris’ most famous sights during your panoramic tour. You will be guided through the charming Latin Quarter, home to the world-famous Sorbonne University, and through the stunning 400-year-old Luxembourg Gardens, created by King Henry IV’s widow, Marie de’ Medici. In the afternoon, travel to Auberge Ravoux in the heart of Auvers-sur-Oise, the last home of artist Vincent van Gogh. His spirit still lingers in his former attic rooms at the Ravoux Inn. The mere 70 days Van Gogh spent in Auvers-sur-Oise were astonishingly prolific as he painted more than 70 works here before his death. Or enjoy the exquisite architecture of the Chateau Saint-Germain-en-Laye, along with its museum and gardens. Alternatively, stay in Paris and spend your free time exploring more of the “City of Light.”
Day 9 Paris/USA
- Today, you'll be escorted to the airport and bid farewell to France as you board your flight back home
- Your exciting journey comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today
Breakfast
Pre-Tour Extension in Paris
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your journey to France begins this evening as you depart from the USA
Day 2 Paris, France
- Arrive in Paris
- Hotel check-in
Full Day ItineraryCheck into your Paris hotel for the beginning of your Paris & Normandy land program.
Day 3 Paris
- “Hidden Paris and Montmartre” tour
Breakfast
Full Day ItineraryEnjoy a morning tour of Paris, taking in all its iconic sites. Later in the day, visit Montmartre, long known as the city’s premier artist’s enclave. During the mid to late 1800s, artists also began calling Montmartre home. Pissarro and Jongkind were two of the first to live there, followed by other notable artists. For easy access to Montmartre, hop aboard the funicular railroad that ascends the hill. Montmartre’s most recognizable landmark is the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur, constructed from 1876 to 1912. The white dome of this Roman Catholic basilica sits at the highest point in the city.
Day 4 Paris & Embark River Cruise
- Atelier des Lumiéres
Breakfast & dinner
Full Day ItineraryAfter checking out of your hotel, visit the Atelier des Lumières where you’ll be treated to an immersive digital experience with art, sound and history displayed throughout the various rooms and walls of the formerly 18th-century steel factory building. You’ll then board the ship in Paris for your Paris & Normandy cruise.
Cruise Ships
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go? We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements? Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip? Want to upgrade your seats? Depart from another city? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions? To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance? Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print? Review the terms & conditions for this package.
- What should I know about France? Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.