7-Day Seine Cruises

Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Seine itineraries

Compiled by

MelissaSeine travel expert at TourRadar

• 7 Days in Northern France, incl. Paris and Fontainebleau

  A 7-day Seine River cruise from Paris aboard MS Deborah reveals royal heritage sites and medieval treasures. Paris's heart opens to Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte and UNESCO-listed Provins. The artists' village of Barbizon and Fontainebleau Palace's majestic gardens await, with all meals and drinks included for approx. $440 per day.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris

    Board your river ship in central Paris at 6 PM. Get there a few hours early to explore Le Marais district when the streets are quieter in late afternoon. The evening cruise offers excellent views of the illuminated Eiffel Tower. Bring a light jacket since the river gets cool at night, even during summer months.

    
  • Day 2

    Paris to Evry

    Spend the morning cruising past Paris landmarks like Notre-Dame and the Louvre. After lunch, visit Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, the stunning palace that inspired Versailles. Book your château visit before 2 PM to avoid the biggest crowds.

    
  • Day 3

    Evry to Melun

    Take in the peaceful Seine countryside during your morning cruise to Melun. Visit Barbizon in the afternoon, a quaint village that was home to many 19th-century artists like Corot and Millet. Wear good walking shoes for the cobblestone streets. Stop at Ganne's Inn museum to see where the famous painters lived and worked.

    
  • Day 4

    Melun to Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne

    Visit the Palace of Fontainebleau early in the day to see the gardens in the best light. This impressive palace housed French royalty for 800 years. As one visitor shared: "Don't miss the stunning horseshoe-shaped staircase where Napoleon gave his farewell speech – the emotional weight of that moment really hits you."

    
  • Day 5

    Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne to Cannes-Ecluses

    Start with a walking tour of medieval Moret-Loing-et-Orvanne, known for its historic gates and links to Impressionist Sisley. Try the traditional barley sugar candy, made here since Louis XIII's time. Spend the afternoon cruising through scenic countryside. Bring binoculars to spot wildlife along the river.

    
  • Day 6

    Cannes-Ecluses to Sens

    Cruise the Yonne River in the morning. Visit France's first Gothic cathedral in Sens, which set the standard for church architecture across Europe. Browse the local market for regional cheeses and meats. End the day with the farewell gala dinner in smart casual attire.

    
  • Day 7

    Sens to Paris

    Disembark in Sens at 9 AM after breakfast. Take the optional coach transfer to Paris (2 hours) or drive yourself. If driving, skip the A6 motorway between 8-10 AM to avoid rush hour traffic.

    

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• 5 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Normandy

  The Seine River's most scenic stretches unfold on this 5-day New Year's cruise from Paris. MS Seine Princess provides elegant cabins while guests visit Rouen's Gothic architecture and Honfleur's historic port. The trip peaks with a spectacular New Year's Eve celebration in Paris, complete with champagne and gala dinner.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris Embarkation

    Board the MS Botticelli at Paris's central river port at 5:00 PM. You can arrive early afternoon to explore the Marais district first. Its boutiques and cafes are just a 10-minute walk from the dock. When you depart in the evening you'll see stunning views of lit-up Paris landmarks. Remember to pack warm clothes for evening deck viewing since December temperatures usually hover around 40°F (4°C).

    
  • Day 2

    Rouen

    You'll arrive in Rouen in the morning to discover Normandy's medieval capital. The guided walking tour through the old town takes about 2.5 hours. Wear good shoes as winter can make the cobblestones slippery. You'll visit Rouen Cathedral and see the historic spot where Joan of Arc was martyred. The afternoon cruise to Honfleur takes 4-5 hours through beautiful Norman countryside.

    
  • Day 3

    Honfleur & Côte Fleurie

    Spend a full day exploring Honfleur and the Côte Fleurie coastline. Your morning walking tour shows you Honfleur's historic harbor where old townhouses create perfect reflections in the water. After lunch you'll visit the elegant coastal towns of Deauville and Trouville. The ship leaves in the evening for an overnight cruise back to Paris.

    
  • Day 4

    New Year's Eve in Paris

    Back in Paris for New Year's celebrations. You can join the optional city tour or explore on your own since the ship docks near the Eiffel Tower. Come back for the special New Year's Eve dinner cruise where you'll have perfect views of the midnight fireworks. The ship offers free champagne but bring extra money if you want specialty drinks.

    
  • Day 5

    Paris Departure

    Enjoy a relaxed brunch until the 10:00 AM departure. If you have an afternoon flight the cruise line can store your bags while you spend one last morning in Paris. The Bir-Hakeim metro station is a 10-minute walk away for easy airport access.

    

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• 6 Day Northern France Itinerary, incl. Paris and Rouen

  A-ROSA VIVA glides along the Seine River from Paris's iconic skyline to Vernon's riverside charm. Five nights of luxury sailing include stops at Rouen's historic port and Giverny's famous gardens. Comprehensive buffets, expert guides, and free e-bikes enable independent exploration.

  

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  • Day 1

    Paris

    Board your river ship in the afternoon but make the most of your morning in Paris first. The Marais district is perfect for exploring and just 15 minutes from typical Seine river dock locations. Take Metro Line 7 to Sully-Morland to reach the dock easily. Your ship leaves at 8 PM, giving you beautiful views of the lit-up Eiffel Tower during dinner.

    
  • Days 2-3

    Rouen

    You'll cruise through the morning and reach Rouen by mid-afternoon. The medieval city center is easy to walk to from where the ship docks. Get to the 600-year-old Gros Horloge (Great Clock) when it opens at 10 AM to beat the crowds. Make sure to see Rouen Cathedral's facade - Monet loved it so much he painted it 30 times in different lights. The old town has lots of cobblestones that can be slippery in wet weather, so pack good walking shoes.

    
  • Day 4

    Vernon & Giverny

    The ship arrives early in Vernon, about 4 miles from Giverny. Most cruise lines run shuttles to Monet's Gardens. Go before 10 AM to avoid the busy tour groups. The garden paths might be muddy so bring the right shoes. You'll see the famous water lilies if you visit in spring or beautiful dahlias and Japanese anemones in fall.

    
  • Days 5-6

    Paris

    You'll have two full days back in Paris. The ship usually docks by Pont de Grenelle, close enough to walk to the Eiffel Tower. Visit after 5 PM to avoid the biggest crowds. If you plan to use the Metro a lot, buy a pack of 10 tickets (about $16) instead of single tickets.

    

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