Cruise Highlights:
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Vaux le Vicomte: wonderful chateau built by the finance minister of the Sun King
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Paris: unforgettable Paris by night cr
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Malmaison: home of Empress Josephine, wie of Napoleon
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Giverny: Claude Monet's home and gardens
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Rouen: Medieval city with magnificent cathedral
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Honfluer: charming, picturesque town popular with the Impressionist painters
Normandy Itinerary
PICARDY CRUISE
–
Operates March to May and September to November
COMPIEGNE – ST MAMMES
SATURDAY
COMPIEGNE
We meet at the Hotel Regina, 192 rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001
at 3pm and transfer to the Anacoluthe, moored in the town of
Compiegne, situated on the River Oise with a population of
47,000. After a champagne welcome aboard, you have time to
settle into your cabin and maybe take a stroll in this
charming town before dinner. We are moored a short distance
form the 16thC town hall and belfry.
SUNDAY
COMPIEGNE – POINT ST MAXENCE
After breakfast a guided walking tour of this historic town.
The Hotel de Ville dates from the beginning of the 16thC and
the cloisters of the Abbey St Corneille was founded by
Charles the Bald in 877. The chateau is a magnificent
example of French classical architecture with richly
decorated apartments in the 18thC, 1st and 2nd Empire
styles. All the French kings enjoyed this area and came
often for hunting. There is an open flower market also this
morning and there will be time to explore before we return
on board for lunch and a cruise in the afternoon down the
river Oise, meandering through verdant hills. After three
locks, we moor in the lovely village of Point St Maxence,
within walking distance of the 14thC royal abbey of Moncel.
MONDAY
PONT ST MAXENCE – POINTOISE
This morning after breakfast, we navigate the river through
an ever changing landscape, from the hill perched village of
Saint-Leu to the charming town of L’Isle-Adam and its
traditional ‘guinguettes’ on the river banks. We moor in
Auvers sur Oise which inspired so many impressionist
painters. After lunch we visit the Chateau Chantilly,
situated in the heart of 7,800 hectares of land, surrounded
by the largest forest in the Paris region and one of the
finest sites in France. The chateau dates from the middle
ages and has an art gallery of 1,000 paintings, 2,400
designs and 2,500 engravings, second only to the Louver. We
return to Anacoluthe for a delightful afternoon cruise to
Pontoise where we moor for the night.
TUESDAY
POINTOISE – CHATOU-PARIS
This morning, an early start to visit Giverny and the house
and gardens of Claude Monet, the most famous of the
Impressionist painters. Discover the inspiration for his
masterpiece Water Lillies. We return to the boat in Conflans
St Honorine where the rivers Oise and Seine meet, and
navigate through Maisons-Lafitte and Bougival, passing
scenes that inspired many painters, and moor in the lovely
town of Chatou opposite the Maison Fournaise of
Impressionist fame. After discovering this lovely place in
the Ile des Impressionists, we cross the river for a stroll
through the centre of Rueil, an ideal place for shopping
with some exclusive boutiques. We cruise again in the later
afternoon, in order to arrive into Paris at dusk. We then
proceed with our illumination cruise through the city of
light, and moor in Paris for the night.
WEDNESDAY
PARIS – MELUM
This morning a cruise south from Paris to Melun in the Seine
valley. A visit to the Chateau Vaux le Vicomte, built by
Fouquet, the finance minister of the Sun King, and the model
for Versailles. There is an exceptionally well furnished
interior and magnificent gardens. Return to the boat in
Melun.
THURSDAY
MELUN – ST MAMMES
This morning we cruise to St Mammes, a very short distance
from Moret sur Loing, a medieval small town and once home to
Alfred Sisley who live and painted many scenes here. This
evening will be our farewell gala dinner.
FRIDAY
ST MAMMES – PARIS
This morning after breakfast, return to the Hotel Regina in
Paris, arriving before noon.
NORMANDY CRUISE –
Operates May to September
ST MAMMES - ROUEN
SATURDAY
ST MAMMES
We meet at the Hotel Regina, 192 rue de Rivoli, Paris 75001
at 3pm and transfer to Anacoluthe, moored in the small town
of St Mammes at the junction of the rivers Seine and Loing.
After a champagne welcome aboard, you will have time to
settle into your cabin and perhaps take a stroll before
dinner, in town or in Moret sur Loing (3km in our bus), a
small medieval town, once home to Alfred Sisley, the
impressionist painter.
SUNDAY
ST MAMMES – PARIS
Morning cruise on the Seine River. Early afternoon excursion
to Vaux le Vicomte, a chateau built by Fouquet, the finance
minister of the Sun King, and the model for Versailles.
There is an exceptionally well furnished interior and
magnificent gardens. Return to Anacoluthe at Evry and cruise
to enter Paris at dinner time. After dinner on board, an
unforgettable Paris by Night cruise.
MONDAY
PARIS – CHATOU
We cruise to Chatou. In the afternoon, a visit to La
Malmaison and walking tour in Rueil. La Malmaison was the
home of Empress Josephine and, on occasions, Napoleon
himself. After her divorce from the Emperor, Josephine
retired to Malmaison in 1810. The First Consul and the seat
of the French Government, in conjunction with the Tuileries,
also resided here from 1800 to 1802. This chateau is
situated in one of the loveliest settings in France.
TUESDAY
CHATOU – VERNON
Cruise to Mantes, arriving midday and leave by bus to visit
Giverny, the home and gardens of Claude Monet, the most
famous of all the impressionist painters. Discover the
inspiration for his masterpiece The Water Lillies and see
the Japanese Bridge. The French Government spends in excess
of $2 million each year to keep the gardens exactly as they
were before Monet died in 1926. The simplicity of his house
is surprising.
Return to the boat moored in Vernon, gateway to Normandy, in
the late afternoon. Vernon is a delightful town with a
medieval centre.
WEDNESDAY
VERNON – POSES
This morning, cruise from Vernon to Les Andelys with its
famous Chateau Gaillard. After a brunch on board, excursion
to the charming city of Honfleur. Walking tour of the
harbour and picturesque streets. Return to the boat going
over both the Normandie and Tancarville bridges. Rejoin the
boat in Les Andelys with a welcome back tasting of cider and
late afternoon cruise to Poses.
THURSDAY
POSES – ROUEN
Morning cruise to Rouen, capital of Normandy. In the later
afternoon a walking visit of the city, cathedral Notre Dame,
a gothic masterpiece, see the Palais de Justice, once
Normandy’s parliament, and the medieval centre/shopping.
Return to the boat late afternoon.
This evening will be our farewell gala dinner.
FRIDAY
ROUEN
After breakfast, return to the Hotel Regina in Paris,
arriving before noon.
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Note: This is a sample itinerary: it is subject to modification in the case of unforeseen circumstances such as canal closures. The boat cruises in the opposite direction on alternate weeks. Programmes are being constantly developed and we may modify our overnight stops and excursions without prior notice in order to assure a consistently high standard of moorings and visits.
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Rates 2009:
|
Date |
Season |
Region |
|
March
21, 28 |
Low |
Picardy |
|
April
4, 11, 18, 25 |
Low |
Picardy |
|
May
2, 9, 16, 23, 30 |
High |
Picardy |
|
June
6, 13, 20, 27 |
High |
Picardy |
|
July
4 |
High |
Picardy |
|
July 11, 18, 25 |
Low |
Picardy |
|
August
1, 8, 15 |
Low |
Picardy |
|
August 22, 29 |
High |
Picardy |
|
September
5, 12, 19, 26 |
High |
Picardy |
|
October 3, 10, 17 |
High |
Picardy |
|
October 24, 31 |
Low |
Picardy |
|
November 7 |
Low |
Picardy |
|
Accomodation |
High |
Low |
|
Double
Occupancy, per person |
1,900 Euros |
1,700 Euros |
|
Single
supplement |
450 Euros |
450 Euros |
|
Full
Boat Charter |
87,400 Euros |
78,200 Euros |
Features:
Rates include:
Rates do not include:
-
Crew gratuities
-
Balloon flight
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Bar drinks
*Cruise date: 3 November
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