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The River Seine and Paris are inextricably linked, but journey beyond to enjoy the many other treasures the river reveals as it meanders through the heart of France.
As you travel through this enchanting area of orchards and pastures, you'll see scenes that inspired some of the world's most renowned artists and which gave birth to the Impressionist movement.
The light where the rivers Seine, Epte and Oise come together is what attracted Claude Monet's to his beautiful and beloved home at Giverney, a highlight of any river journey and the inspiration for so many of his works of art.
Majestic Rouen set amongst the Seine's chalk cliffs and dominated by its famous gothic cathedrals and the breathtaking Chateau of Versailles, provide a dramatic contrast to the smaller towns of Les Andelys, Vernon and the quaint fishing port of Honfleur, where the Seine finally ends its journey.
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| PLACES OF INTEREST |
Giverny
Giverny is the home of the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet. From 1883 until his death in 1926, he lived and worked in these sublime surroundings. The stone farmhouses where he created timeless masterpieces. Wander in the beautiful gardens and see the lily pond he captured so brilliantly on canvas.
Honfleur
Long a haunt of painters, this seaport is where Impressionism began in the white light of the Seine estuary. The busy harbour has an attractive waterfront of tall slate-hung houses. Visit the Eugene Boudin Museum, mentor of Claude Monet. In the Ethnographic Museum there are many exhibits connected with Norman seafarers, including those who founded Quebec in the 17th century.
Les Andelys
This beautiful town lies in one of the loveliest settings on the Seine under the classic ruins of the famous castle Chateau Gaillard. This huge fortress was built in 1196 by Richard the Lionheart, King of England and Duke of Normandy. The town has handsome stone and half-timbered houses along the tree-lined river.
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Rouen
An ancient city and once the capital of the old province of Normandy, Rouen is a contrast of old and new with splendid modern buildings and monuments set beside an elaborate Gothic cathedral and hundreds of superb half-timbered houses. A monument dedicated to France's Patron Saint Joan of Arc, can be seen in the old marketplace where she met her death.
Vernon
Vernon boasts picturesque 17th century architecture and is an attractive gateway for visiting Giverny, which lies across the river. Here, glimpses of 500 year-old houses flicker through the trees and heavily wooded isles dot the river. |
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