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Paris and the Seine Valley to Normandy

November 8, 2021

7 Days | 5 Cities | 1 Country

MS Botticelli

Overview

Rekindle your travel passion in Paris the “City of Lights” which bookends our 7-day adventure through France on the legendary Seine River. Drink in beauty on board the MS Botticelli as we sail through breathtaking scenery, enchanting villages, and rich history. Discover Normandy’s dramatic D-Day Beaches as a highlight on this river cruise trip of a lifetime. Enjoy the 51st year of the Scallop Festivals hosted by many cities on the coast. Adventure awaits in this journey steeped in wonder!

Special Guest Performer, John McEuen, one of the founding members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Complete your Teeming River Cruise in Paris, a beautiful, history-rich and tasty place to explore! From iconic architecture, world class art museums and glorious food and drink—it’s no wonder the ‘The City of Light’ tops so many bucket-lists! While this is the end of your adventure with TeemingRC, your memories will live on from your cruise.

  • A River cruise from Paris all the way to Normandy Coast, including exclusive mooring in Honfleur
  • Have plenty of time to see all the sites of D-Day
  • Moor just a step away from the Eiffel Tower!
  • See Paris lit up at night from the comfort of your ship on our night cruise

See individual days below and expand for links to help you plan your trip. Here is the link to the Official Tourist Site, https://en.parisinfo.com/

Itinerary

Date
Port
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Arrival: 6 PM Check In
Depart: 8:00 PM

Paris—the city of lights! Our journey begins with a “Paris by Night” cruise. Its seductive charms are legendary, and for good reason, as it boasts world-class museums, inviting sidewalk cafes, gleaming boutiques, glorious food, and iconic architecture. One of the most atmospheric and romantic travel destinations in the world, France’s capital city has been drawing visitors for centuries.  Strolling Paris’ monument-lined boulevards, travelers can wander in and out of museums, cafes, markets, and gardens taking in the city’s striking beauty and becoming fully immersed in Parisian culture. You can embrace the romantic charm of “the city of love” on the popular love lock bridge, where couples have attached padlocks (love locks) to the railing and tossed the key into the Seine as a symbolic gesture of amour éternel.  From sampling wine, picnicking by the Eiffel tower, and strolling through the old town of Montmartre, each neighborhood provides its own individual charm and quirkiness.  Spend your mornings in the shops along the Champs Elysees, splashing in and out of today’s Parisian trends, or exploring the quirky vintage and antique shops that dot the numerous cobblestone streets. Explore the hilltop village of Montmartre, home of the famous Sacre-Coeur, and soak in the view of the magnificently vibrant city.  Hop onto the metro to explore the gargoyled Notre Dame cathedral and if you are looking for a hidden local hot spot, behind it is a beautiful café called Au Vieux Paris d’Arcole (well worth a photo and maybe even a morning coffee.)  And just minutes away, the world-famous Louvre sits inside the Palais Royale, housing treasures such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the beautiful and mysterious statue, Venus de Milo, and Vermeer’s The Lacemaker. Wind down by sitting at a café, a box of assorted pastries in hand, basking in the views of the city of love! Sounds lovely, n’estce pas?

Docking Position Map Link

Address: Near the Paris Yacht Marina, Port de Grenelle, 75015 Paris, France

Port de Grenelle (15th arrondissement/district),between the Grenelle bridge and the Bir Hakeim bridge. The car or bus access is from the bridge of Grenelle (left bank).

Click for printable pdf map- Boarding-Terminal-Paris-Quai-Grenelle-docking-Seine-Cruise-CroisiEurope

Arrival: 02:00 PM
Depart: Overnight

For detailed tourist information on Rouen visit their official site – https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/unmissable-sites/rouen/

Rouen, situated on the banks of the River Seine, is Normandy’s vibrant, historic and cultural capital. Monet’s famous depictions of Rouen Cathedral have made this vast edifice many visitors’ favorite building in the city, but there are also many fine museums to explore, not to mention the Gros Horloge clock tower, France’s oldest inn La Couronne and the beautiful modern church dedicated to Joan of Arc.

Here are the Top 5 Sites in Rouen

  1. Joan of Arc History Museum
  2. Panorama XXL
  3. Notre Dame Cathedral of Rouen
  4. Gros-Horloge
  5. Museum of Fine Arts

Google Map Link

Docking Position Map Link

Arrival: Overnight
Depart: 07:00 AM

In medieval times Rouen’s location made it popular with traders who built timber-framed homes that are still standing along the winding cobblestone streets. Several medieval landmarks abound for those urban explorers who want to go back in time. A favorite medieval landmark, the Gros Horloge is an astronomical clock with a mechanism from the 1300s mounted above a renaissance arch and passageway. Rouen’s Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral (La Cathédral de Rouen) is a stunning building dating back to the 4th century with an interesting mixture of various architectural styles including a new spire built in the 19th Century which briefly qualified it as the tallest building in the world.  The cathedral was the subject of a series of paintings by the Impressionist painter Claude Monet, some of which are exhibited at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, and in the summer after dark the city puts on a Son et Lumière show projecting some of Monet’s cathedral paintings onto the façade of the building.  It is famously known for its Tour de Beurre (Butter Tower) and for the tomb of Richard the Lionheart. Make sure you do not miss the Gros Horloge, a magnificent monumental town clock, the splendid Gothic Law Courts (Palais de Justice) and look out for the Aitre Saint-Maclou, with its carved skull and crossbones counts among the most startling medieval cemeteries in Europe!

Docking Position Map Link

Arrival: 1:00 PM
Depart: Overnight

Honfleur is an enchanting town with perhaps one of the prettiest harbors in all of France. The ‘Vieux Bassin’ (old dock), which dates back to the 17th century is stunning with its distinctive high, narrow, timber-frame and slate-clad houses. Once home to the wealthy, they now mainly house restaurants and cafes where tables spill out onto the pavement surrounding the harbor for wonderful alfresco dining. Enjoy sumptuous seafood and a cold glass of wine while you people-watch and soak in the local vibes. As you stroll this lovely town, you won’t want to miss St. Catherine’s Church, a stunning edifice, built entirely of wood and made by shipwrights. Honfleur is also home to the Eugene Boudin Museum, a fine arts museum that houses many fine paintings by celebrated 19th and 20th-century artists closely associated with Honfleur and the Seine Estuary, including Boudin, Cals, Courbet, Dubourg, Dufy, Jongkind, and Monet. And when you’re ready to wind down, a lovely way to end the day is to walk along the path from the harbor, which sparkles at night to the beach as music floats in the air.  Lining the edge of the Honfleur Estuary, the path passes through the town gardens towards the beach, with views to the Normandy bridge.

There are two main tourist websites for this area.

Lists of other sites to see. (We suggest doing many of the D-Day sites on November 11 as Armistice Day will be celebrated. Most shops will be closed as well.)

Google Map Link

Honfleur: Must-See Attractions (to visit this page click here)

  1. Saint Catherine’s Church -Saint Catherine’s Church (L’église Sainte-Catherine in french) is the main monument of Honfleur, the one you shouldn’t miss even if you’re only spending a few hours in town. Built-in the 15th century to replace a stone church destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War, the Saint Catherine’s Church was built entirely in wood, gathered in the nearby forest. Its original form of overturned double hull boat is due to Honfleur’s worker’s excellent knowledge of shipbuilding. Thus, Sainte-Catherine Church is the largest wooden church in France.
  2. Le Vieux Bassin – Le Vieux Bassin is the picturesque name given to the typical Norman port of Honfleur. It was built in 1681 and necessitated the destruction of part of the city’s ramparts in order to enlarge the old port.
  3. Notre-Dame de Grace – Overlooking Honfleur, the Notre-Dame de Grace chapel was built at the beginning of the 17th century to replace the old chapel destroyed by a cliff collapse. It was originally built by the Duke of Normandy as a token of gratitude for his survival during a violent storm.
  4. See the Normandy Bridge – The Normandy Bridge (Pont de Normandie) was built in 1995 and links Honfleur to Le Havre. It’s a true symbol of maritime supremacy in the region.
  5. Butin Beach – The city of Honfleur is recognized as a seaside and tourist resort. Its beach, named “Plage du Butin” in French, is located at the entrance of the city and gives the Normandy coast a bit of southern air.
  6. Visit Honfleur “greniers à sel” (salt storage location)  – The famous “Greniers à sel” of Honfleur were built in 1670 with stones from the city walls. They could store up to 10,000 tonnes of salt, which was then used to preserve cod for a longer time.
  7. While you’re in Honfleur, you can also enjoy a boat trip! There are 2 different tours: A 1h30 commented tour on the Seine estuary, up to the Normandy bridge. A 45-minute commented visit of Honfleur. You will find the schedules and prices of these boat trips from Honfleur on this website.
  8. Discover the local gastronomy – Honfleur is located in the department of Calvados, renowned for producing the best products of Normandy. Discover authentic flavors from its fertile lands and delight your taste buds. Among the dishes not to be missed:
    1. The local apple and the alcohols produced with it.
      The excellent seafood products that delight the amateurs.
      The artisanal high-quality cold cuts.
      The milk produced by Normandy cows and the excellent cheeses it makes, not to mention sweet treats such as milk jam (“confiture de lait” in French) or Isigny caramel.
  9. Saint-Leonard’s church – Built-in 1186, Honfleur Saint-Leonard’s church (église Saint-Léonard) was destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War.

Docking Position Map Link
If you are taking a Private Tour share this with your operator. We will be docked in the – The Quai Tostain /
Bassin de l’Est. Remind them we are on a river cruise boat, not the big cruise ships docking.

Arrival: Overnight
Depart: Overnight

November 11 is Armistice Day – The War to End All Wars. Top sites to plan on visiting from Honfleur

The Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer (Drive time is 90 minutes).

D-Day and the Battle of Normandy Sites and Museums

To download a complete Vistors’ Guide of the D-Day Landing Beaches and the Battle Normandy click here

Alternatively or both, enjoy some more maritime moments in the seaside towns of Villers-sur-Mer, Trouville-sur-Mer, Ouistreham and Grandcamp-Maisy, where visitors can learn how to cook or smoke fish and tie sea knots, or take guided tours of a variety of ships, boats, ports and lighthouses along the Normandy coast. Visit the largest scallop fishing port in the Calvados département is Port-en-Bessin, near Omaha Beach, which hosts Le Goût du Large [Taste of the Open Sea] Festival, dedicated to scallops and fishing in general. The festival provides a rare chance to buy fish and seafood straight off the fishing boats on the quaysides and is followed by a music festival called Musique sous les Embruns [Music under the Sea Spray], also in November.

Optional D-Day Sites Tour ~ Departure by coach for a day trip to the landing beaches. Arrival at Pointe du Hoc, which was the scene of one of the landings on June 6, 1944. After our visit, we’ll pass through Omaha Beach, Colleville sur Mer and its American cemetery. After lunch, we’ll continue to Arromanches, site of the famous battle with its artificial port installed to allow the invasion of land troops and their equipment. We’ll stop at Arromanches 360° where you’ll be able to watch a film in its circular room. The Price of Liberty combines archived footage filmed in June 1944 by war correspondents with current shots on the same site. We’ll get back to Honfleur via Gold Beach, Juno Beach (Gray sur mer- Courseulles sur Mer – St Aubin sur Mer) and Sword Beach (Ouistreham Lion sur Mer – Luc sur mer). Arrival in Honfleur in the early evening.
PLEASE NOTE:
• The order of the visits can change.
• Times are approximate.
• Tour lasts approximately 10 hours.
Cost is $109 per person.
Lunch is an additional $36. Museum Entrance $10.

Docking Position Map Link

Arrival: OVERNIGHT
Depart: 4:00 PM

Around Honfleur: Le Havre a 35 minute drive. Going to Le Havre will give you the opportunity to drive over the famous Normandy bridge!

Here are the best places to visit in Le Havre:

St. Joseph’s church and its impressive 110-meter high tower
The André Malraux Museum of Modern Art and its collection of impressionist works
The hanging gardens, located in an old fort. They offer a beautiful view of the city
The port of Le Havre, one of the largest commercial ports in Europe
Les Bains Des Docks (The Bath by the docks), a large aquatic center with pools, swimming pools, sauna, and hammam.

Official Tourist Site https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/unmissable-sites/le-havre/

Docking Position Map Link

Arrival: 7:00 PM
Depart: Overnight

Caudebec-en-Caux is a small town situated in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, on a loop in the Seine River east of Le Havre and west of Rouen. Since 2016 Caudebec-en-Caux is part of the commune called Rives-en-Seine.

With the focus firmly on the riverside, your visit will surely start with a stroll along the Seine river banks in Caudebec-en-Caux, admiring at the same time the gardens and houses that line the peaceful waterway.

The region around the town is known as the Pays de Caux Vallée de Seine and at the centre of the ‘Parc Naturel Régional des Boucles de la Seine Normande’. Just outside Caudebec-en-Caux you can visit the 14th-15th century Chateau d’Etelan to the south-west, and the Abbey de Fontanelle is also a popular local attraction a short distance east of the town.

The nearby Jumieges Abbey and pretty village of Jumieges are worth a visit.

Tourism site link https://www.francethisway.com/places/caudebec-en-caux.php

Google Map Link

Docking Map Link

Arrival: Overnight
Depart: 2:00 AM

The region around the town is known as the Pays de Caux Vallée de Seine and at the centre of the ‘Parc Naturel Régional des Boucles de la Seine Normande’. Just outside Caudebec-en-Caux you can visit the 14th-15th century Chateau d’Etelan to the south-west, and the Abbey de Fontanelle is also a popular local attraction a short distance east of the town.

The nearby Jumieges Abbey and pretty village of Jumieges are worth a visit.

Docking Map Link

Arrival: 11:30 AM
Depart: 06:00 PM

Dominated by the imposing form of the emblematic Château-Gaillard Castle, the small town of Les Andelys, made up of two neighborhoods that were once clearly separated, Petit-Andely and Grand-Andely, occupies one of the most remarkable sites in the Seine Valley.

Built-in 1196 – in just one year! – by Richard the Lionheart, Duke of Normandy and King of England, with the aim of keeping watch over the valley and protecting the city of Rouen from the attacks of the King of France Philip Augustus, the hillside remains of the impressive medieval fortress of Château-Gaillard offer a superb view of the meanders of the Seine, flanked by limestone cliffs, and the picturesque riverbank of Petit-Andely. Take a tour of the premises to discover the lower courtyard (open all year), the upper courtyard (open to the public from mid-March to mid-November), where the main keep stands, as well as the history of the fortress, including the famous siege and capture of the castle by Philip Augustus in 1203-1204, which later signaled Normandy’s attachment to France.

Beneath the fortress, be sure to take a stroll along the banks of Petit-Andely, along the pleasant walkway by the Seine! Follow the Promenade des Prés and walk along the Grand Rang, which links the Petit and the Grand Andelys. The walk ends with Notre Dame Collegiate Church and its 16th-century stained-glass windows. Complete your visit with the Nicolas Poussin Museum. Do not miss the stunning panoramic view from the castle.

Also worth seeing is the Collegiate Church of Our Lady in the Grand-Andely district, a beautiful Flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance-style edifice, which contains splendid stained glass windows from the 16th century, an Entombment, and a magnificent Renaissance organ case made of carved wood.

There are 2 main tourism sites for Les Andelys.

https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/museums-and-heritage-sites/les-andelys/

https://www.france-voyage.com/tourism/andelys-1778.htm

Google Map Link

Docking Map Link

Arrival: 7:00 AM
Depart: Disembark by 9:00 AM

Complete your Teeming River Cruise in Paris, a beautiful, history-rich, and tasty place to explore! From iconic architecture, world-class art museums, and glorious food and drink—it’s no wonder the ‘The City of Light’ tops so many bucket lists! While this is the end of your cruise, your memories will live on from your cruise. Thank you for cruising with Teeming River Cruises, where vacations come first and memories last.

By the second week in November, the big Paris department stores unveil their spectacular holiday window displays and dazzling lights and decorations begin to sparkle across the city. You may notice the days getting shorter and the air crisper, but November weather in Paris usually offers mellow sunny days for enjoying the changing leaf hues.

For detailed info on Paris events for November 2021 visit https://www.parisdiscoveryguide.com/paris-events-november.html

Docking Position Map Link

Address: Near the Paris Yacht Marina, Port de Grenelle, 75015 Paris, France

Port de Grenelle (15th arrondissement/district),between the Grenelle bridge and the Bir Hakeim bridge. The car or bus access is from the bridge of Grenelle (left bank).

Click for printable pdf map- Boarding-Terminal-Paris-Quai-Grenelle-docking-Seine-Cruise-CroisiEurope

Please Note: For navigational reasons and passenger safety, Teeming River Cruises and the captain reserve the right to modify the cruise itinerary as necessary. These Optional Excursions may or may not be offered, since availability is subject to number of participants and weather conditions.

Deck Plans

Cabin Options

Your cruise will take place on the MS Botticelli. To learn more about this ship, click here.

Availability & Pricing

Prices per person based on double occupancy

Reserve Your Cabin

Double Cabin

122 ~ $0/$0 night
Booked
260 ~ $0/$0 night
Booked
265 ~ $0/$0 night
Booked
268 ~ $0/$0 night
Booked

What's Included in the Cruise

Highlights and Notes

John McEuen, one of the founding members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will be joining us for the 4th time and performing.

Highlights of What’s Included:

  • Welcome & Farewell Receptions with Sparkling wine & hors-d’oeuvres
  • Welcome Aboard Dinner & Farewell Dinner
  • All Meals Included Daily (onboard your ship)
  • Locally inspired cuisine
  • Breakfast to order, and a set menu for lunch and dinner
  • At TeemingRC, we are committed to offering our passengers on each cruise the best combination of both value and service.
    • The standard drink menu on the MS Botticelli offers a variety of reasonably priced drinks. For example, wine by the glass is 4 Euro, draft beer is 3 Euro, a soft drink is 3 Euro, and whiskey, gin, & vodka are 4 Euro. Based on these negotiated prices and in keeping with our business model & value proposition, you may buy drinks on an à la carte basis.
    • Instead of a drink package on the MS Botticelli, drink cards will be available for purchase by cash or charge to any passenger. These drink cards will come with a pre-loaded limit of 30 euros. Each time you purchase a drink, it will be deducted from your pre-paid card. If you run out of Euros on the card, you can purchase a new 30 Euro card. If you have any unused funds on your drink card at the end of the cruise, they will be refunded back to you.
    • You are welcome to bring your own wine on board, and there is a corkage fee of €5,00 per bottle
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi will not support large photos, videos, streaming movies, etc. It is only good enough for texting and emails of minimal size)
  • TeemingRC/PopGuide App City Walking Tour in all ports
  • Tech Talks
    • Using Your Smartphone As Your Personal Tour Guide
      • How to Navigate with your Smartphone without cell service or data
  • Daily Port Talks- We Give You the Tools to “Explore More for Less!”
    • Museums/Sites/History/Architecture
      • Opening Times
      • Information on Entry Fees
      • Location
      • Explore On Your Own Information
  • Onboard Entertainment
    • John McEuen, one of the founding members of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will be joining us for the 4th time and performing.
      • John’s recent book, The Life I’ve Picked: A Banjo Player’s Nitty Gritty Journey, has become a Best Seller in the Country Music category. His lifelong friend Steve Martin commented,  “Beautifully written, John’s book is an intimate and revealing memoir of a long and diverse music career and the ups and downs of life on the road. We’ve each had a complicated and thrilling journey since our high school friendship sent us off into the world.” —Steve Martin, banjo picker, actor, and writer
      • Bring a copy of his book and John will be happy to sign it for you.
      • The band is best known for its evergreen bestselling album Will the Circle Be Unbroken and for its gorgeous version of the song “Mr. Bojangles.”
    • Freddie and Lu Langston

      Freddie and Lu Langston will be joining us for the 3rd time. Freddie Langston is a rare solo performer in that he has had such a varied history of venues in which he has performed. From an island in the Philippines on which there has never been power, to a stage in Washington with the President, there is an acquired stage sensitivity that is needed for a connecting performance in today’s world. Freddie has the rare blend of many decades of performance with the wit and energy of a kid. (In fact, his wife of 50 years wishes he would grow up 😉)

  • Business Entrepreneur Mike Yager “Mr. Corvette”, Founder of Mid America Motorworks will be with us on the France cruise. Mike is a 2018 inductee to the National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame and has sailed with us before.

    Mike and Laurie Yager

  • Daily Housekeeping Service
  • Non-Smoking Ship Interior

Trip Notes:

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change.
  • Disruptions in cruising and itinerary may occur (low/high water levels).
  • The prices are for cruises only. Flights are not included.
  • Transfers to and from the airport are not included in the cruise fare.
  • Shore Excursions are not included in the cruise fare. These may be purchased for an additional cost.
  • Due to currency fluctuation, the pricing shown is subject to change until purchased.
  • Port Taxes and Fees are not included
  • Please be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to many common questions.

Departure and Arrival Docking Information

Click for printable pdf map- Boarding-Terminal-Paris-Quai-Grenelle-docking-Seine-Cruise-CroisiEurope

We recommend flying into Orly as the airport is closer to the ship and is a much easier airport logistically.