LIVE Excursions on the River Seine-What to See, Where to Go

AMA Waterways Wine Cruise: Normandy to Paris, Monet’s Gardens, Châteaux

Apr 22, 2025

The Sparkling Eiffel Tower, April 11, 2025 at 11 PM CET

I am LIVE from the River Seine on an AmaWaterways wine cruise aboard the AmaDante. We have just experienced the “Sparkling Eiffel Tower” at 11 PM. Quite the up-close view with the miniature Statue of Liberty nearby.

Last week I discussed the wine theme of New vs. Old-World tastings on the cruise. As we were wine tasting in the main lounge, however, stealing the show on this cruise are the towns we pass by. Every day we are offered a choice from several excursions available. They ranged from Normandy Beaches and Le Havre/Honfleur sailing back East passing Monet’s Gardens at Giverny, Rouen, and many others on the River Seine to Paris. The true advantage of river cruising is the proximity to the towns. Which excursions to choose? So many selections, and each is included with the cruise fare. What wines and spirits to drink along the way? I detail several selections below. If you missed the start of this series, see April 15, 2025, Wine Wanderings, “LIVE from a Wine-Themed European River Cruise” and April 8, 2025 “LIVE from Paris April 2025: Notre Dame and La Louvre Rediscovered”

Normandy Beaches and the D-Day Invasion, Honfleur and Le Havre

On one of the trips of a lifetime lifetime is a tour of the historic Normandy Beaches. Included in the excursion: Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial (Colleville-sur-Mer) on Omaha Beach, and the village of Arromanches, where the remains of the floating harbors (called Mulberry harbors) used during the WWII landings can be seen. If you have a relative who was part of the D-Day invasion, or you’ve seen the Steven Spielberg movie, Saving Private Ryan, or have seen The Longest Day, you understand the enormous odds against survival for the invading allied soldiers on D-Day. AmaWaterways guides are top notch and the transportation from the ship to the Beaches is excellent.

A tour of Honfleur is also an excellent choice for the traveler. It has an extensive fine arts museum that houses many fine paintings by Boudin, Courbet and Monet. The beautiful harbor is famous for its distinctive high, narrow timber-frame houses of all colors, with a true medieval atmosphere emanating from this beautiful small town. We end the day with the entertaining “French Andrew Sisters” singing “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” and their other WWII favorites.

Joan of Arc, Rouen, France. Photographer: Kathleen Meyer

Rouen – Taste of Normandy Tour - Joan of Arc

Rouen is the site of Julia Child’s first French meal. Rouen is known for its famed gastronomic specialties. We tasted our way through them all. The highlights were the apple brandy, Calvados, the regions chocolates, the apple cider (even rosé apple cider), and the artisanal Norman cheeses. La Route de Cidre or Cider Route is a 25-mile signposted trail that crisscrosses picturesque country lanes with the opportunity to stop at over twenty cider farms.

Rouen was called by Victor Hugo, the “city of the hundred spires” as it has over 800 classified buildings in its Old Town, and an impressive cathedral that features a series of paintings by Claude Monet. Sadly, in 1431 Rouen was also the site where Joan of Arc, considered one of the heroes of French history, was burned at the stake after a trial where she was accused of heresy including wearing men’s clothing and acting on visions believed to be demonic. In 1920, Joan of Arc was recognized as a Christian saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

Mother's Day Gift Subscription to WW

Bayeux & Caen and the Bayeux Tapestry

At the Musee de la Tapisserie we viewed the UNESCO-designated work of art, the Bayeux Tapestry, embroidered on linen stretching 230 feet long. The tapestry depicts, in 58 comic strip-like scenes, the 1066 Norman invasion of England. Along the way we visited the commune of Caen, the former home of William the Conqueror and saw the Abbayes aux Hommes built in 1066 housing William’s tomb.

Monet’s Garden at Giverny: Rescue and Restoration, by Valerie Bougaukt

Monet’s Gardens – Giverny

Fall in love again with the impressionist paintings of Claude Monet. As we tour the magnificent gardens of his former home in Giverny, the settings for some of his most iconic works come to life: the water lilies, Japanese Bridges, and graceful willow trees. Monet lived here for more than four decades…a thrill to see the gardens in the Spring. The charming gift shop on site is a great place to find water lilies scarfs and art books such as, “Monet’s Garden at Giverny: Rescue and Restoration.”. For more information: Claude Monet’s House and Gardens

Château de Bizy, Vernon, France Photographer: Tricia Conover

Mantes-la-Jolie, Vernon, France

We explored the elegant Château d’Anet, a 16^th-century château from the French Renaissance built by King Henri II for his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. It is an architectural gem and has a mesmerizing grid-pattern trompe l’oeil to its impressive gate embedded with a clock displaying the Moon phases. A stroll through the lovely French commune of Mantes-la-Jolie completed the tour. This port town was the official residence of the country’s kings and queens from 1682 until the French Revolution.

Just cruising in the afternoon, Sip & Sail wine tasting happening, and watching the Châteux go by were some of the most peaceful times of River Seine cruising.

**Cruising the River Seine, Île du Château, Photographer: Tricia Conover**

Paris by Parisien Bateaux

On the banks of the River Seine, we boarded a “Bateaux Parisiens,” a modern river boat with viewing platforms. Gliding along the river under Paris’ ornate bridges, we enjoyed a panoramic view up close of iconic monuments and buildings like the Notre Dame cathedral (resplendent in its new renovation) and the Musée d’Orsay. A great way to cap off our luxurious week-long cruise.

Our Captain pulled up on the River Seine as close as possible to the Eiffel Tower for the 11 PM light show for our final night onboard (which you see on title clip.) Quite the experience. Once again, thank you to the amazing crew onboard the AmaDante for a memorable sailing.