Embark on a journey of revelation and reflection where rich history and scenic beauty await around every river bend. Cruise along the Seine past medieval towns, admire Monet’s Gardens at Giverny, and uncover WWI and WWII history with visits to the Somme battlefields and the beaches of Normandy.
Quick Search Search 1,420 river cruise Departures along the Seine
The Seine River originates in the Burgundy region of France, near the commune of Source-Seine. It flows northwest through Paris and eventually empties into the English Channel at Le Havre, covering a distance of about 777 Km's (483 miles).
Do cruises travel the length of the Seine?
River cruises on the Seine usually don't cover the entire length of the river, instead focusing on the stretch between Paris and Normandy where excursions to significant World War II sites like the D-Day landing beaches are included.
Impressionist's Muse
The Seine has inspired countless artists, most notably the Impressionists. Towns like Giverny, where Monet's famous garden is located, are popular stops on Seine river cruises.
Medieval Rouen
The capital of Normandy, Rouen, is known for its timber-framed houses and Gothic architecture, including the cathedral that inspired a series of paintings by Monet. Joan of Arc was also tried and executed here, adding another layer of historical interest.
Fancy a swim?
While the Seine is generally not suitable for swimming today it was once turned into a massive swimming pool for a brief period in the 18th century. In 1776, the French government built a structure known as "La Baignade," which allowed Parisians to swim in a section of the river enclosed by wooden planks.
Is the Seine flooding?
Locals have used the level of water reaching the Zouave statue on the Pont de l'Alma bridge in Paris as an unofficial gauge for flooding. When the water hits the statue's feet, the Seine is considered to be at flood level. During extreme floods, water has reached up to the statue's thighs or even higher.
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Once you step onboard the world’s finest and most awarded river cruise line for the first time, we are quite sure the refined luxury onboard our fleet...more will sweep you off your feet. We draw our inspiration for the design philosophy of every one of the 17 ships in our fleet directly from the destination in which they sail. The craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the art onboard, the handcrafted furniture and intricacy of the fabrics are lovingly assembled to be a masterpiece in and of itself. Stepping onboard is to step into a world of beautiful colours and one-of-a-kind details that truly bring your destination to life. Crafting experiences you can’t find anywhere else, means continuing to elevate Uniworld to new heights year after year. From the addition of four new Super Ships in Egypt, Vietnam, Portugal and Italy, to the award winning service that comes from the heart, we’re putting even more emphasis on what’s onboard to enhancing several itineraries to accommodate guest’s diverse tastes for the future. We truly look forward to welcoming our Australian guests onboard.
A Viking river cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Egypt, Asia, Europe or the Mississippi, our itineraries are designed...more to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next. Our state-of-the-art ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any kids or ‘nickel and diming’ on board. In fact, our fares include everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’. Viking has 70 award-winning river ships sailing all over the world, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
With Scenic, it’s more than a 5-star river cruise...it’s a seamless journey from start to finish that places you, our guest, at the heart of everything...more we do. It’s taking you to extraordinary regions and immersing you in meaningful and enriching experiences. It’s exquisite cuisine, indulgent wellness, and a world-class team who will anticipate your every need. You'll find the difference is in the details with Scenic: the innovative ship design, expertly trained crew, immersive journey, and an unrivalled focus on health and safety protocols.
Home to Impressionist master Claude Monet for over 43 years, explore the estate and meander through Monet's garden at Giverny - a bucket list experience not to be missed.
Les Andelys
Enjoy a taste of French provincial life with a stroll through the riverside town of Les Andelys, home to Château Gaillard, commissioned by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century.
Rouen
Discover the historic and artistic in Rouen. Home to the Church of Saint Joan of Arc and site of her martyrdom, the city also inspired many of Monet's artworks with its Gothic architecture.
WWII Landing Beaches at Normandy
Pay your respects to fallen WWII soldiers at the landing beaches of Normandy, and learn about American and Canadian war efforts when you visit nearby memorials and cemeteries.
Palace of Versailles
After the delights of Paris, venture out to the magnificent Palace of Versailles. With its extravagant interiors and intricate gardens, you'll spend the day in awe at this UNESCO-listed site.
Latest Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys along the Seine
Cruising the Seine before the Olympics Alick, SA, Australia, Jul 2024
The highlights for me included experiencing an organised bike tour for 3 hours during blocked Parisian streets before the Olympics, the Unusual Gardens of Etratat, historic Joan of Arc town of Rouen, and walking the path of Vincent van Gough. This is the second Avalon cruise I have done as I was able to avoid the solo supplement. I love the meals on ...read more board which are a contrast from my daily pre-packed dinners! I have already booked another Avalon cruise in France for 2025 with Hannah of Global Journeys who is always efficient and informative. (GJ: Great photo Alick!)
Great cruise to Normandy Debbie , SA, Australia, May 2024
We had a wonderful cruise on the Scenic Gem from Paris to the beaches of Normandy and return to Paris. Crew were absolutely outstanding, they made us all feel like family. The free choice tours were very good, although we would have appreciated more time at the Sir John Monash Centre and Villers Bretonneux. Our guide, Ben who walked with us around Rouen ...read more and gave a couple of lectures on the cruise ship was excellent, one of the best guides we have ever had. He was also our guide when we toured the Palais Benedictine. A great tour, would recommend, especially those who are interested in WWI and WWII history.
Viking's France's Finest Adventure Rob and Jan, QLD, Australia, Nov 2023
We booked Viking's France's Finest river cruise with Georgie after previously sailing on their Amsterdam to Budapeat river cruise. It was fantastic. Top class cabins, tours, food, drinks and staff. We cannot praise Viking and their staff highly enough. Very pleasant and helpful. There was a problem with high water and strong current on the first half ...read more of the cruise but the staff organised for buses to take us on our tours and return us to the ship after it sailed without passengers to our next port. Everything went without a hitch. Like many others, we have another cruise waiting for us in a few months time. Global Journeys Georgie does a great job with our bookings.
Relaxing river cruise Linda and Kerry, Queensland , Australia, Oct 2023
We set off from Australia at the end of August on an almost 10 week European adventure. On our last 2 weeks we did Viking’s France’s Finest 15 day river cruise, which is in fact 2 cruises marketed as one trip. We did the Avignon to Lyon cruise first, followed by a round trip from Paris for the second. Viking transfers you via train from Lyon to Paris ...read more to do the second cruise. Both cruises were a wonderful, relaxing way to end our sometimes exhausting 10 week journey! We were blessed with pretty good weather and the itineraries on both ships were interesting .
Everything onboard was amazing, from the friendly staff, the wonderful food & wine to the included tours, complete with excellent local guides. We couldn’t fault it. It was the perfect way to end a long trip abroad. France in Autumn was beautiful with the trees changing colour and the scenery we saw from our ship was spectacular. We chose the lower deck cabins as we were travelling with a group, so not in cabins much. Perfectly fine for our needs. Many thanks to Georgie for organising this part of our holiday. Nothing was too much trouble and she happily answered all our queries!😄
Explore More Your guide to travelling along the Seine
Embarking on a river cruise along the Seine is the perfect way to explore the heart of Paris and the northwest region of France. Offering travellers a unique and unforgettable journey, you’ll cruise through the Parisian cityscape to a backdrop of iconic landmarks. Further up river you'll...
I think that Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit Paris. The days are sunny and warm with just enough nip in the air to wear a nice coat (living on the Sunshine Coast makes coat wearing a rare treat!) and the city and parks are coming to life with spring flowers and blossoms. So I was...
