Sapphire, 11 Night Cruising the Seine, plus Paris & London ex London, (Tower Bridge) England to Paris, France

Journey from London to Paris by way of a River Seine cruise filled with Tauck exclusive experiences… Private tasting tours, from wine to cheese to chocolate… discover treasured Parisian landmarks, steeped in history, culture and art… and return home with tales of adventures that become more exciting with each retelling.
Wind through fishing ports and medieval towns, tasting Normandy cuisine, visiting the D-Day invasion beaches of Normandy, finding the deep essence of calvados, pausing in ancient abbeys and the picturesque haunts of Impressionist painters, dining at a chateau in Rouen, exploring cobblestone lanes, walking in Monet’s garden at Giverny, visiting Van Gogh’s muse in Aubers-sur-Oise, a visit to a private castle, and incomparable Paris… well, riverboating seems like the only way to go! Private tasting tours, from wine to cheese to chocolate… a tale of two cities you’ll want to tell over and over again.

Day 1
Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Rosewood London. A transfer is included from London’s Heathrow Airport to Rosewood London in the heart of the city; check-in begins after 4:00. Join us for a welcome reception and dinner this evening.

Day 2
Morning sightseeing gives you a good introduction to the major landmarks (such as Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and more). The afternoon is free to spend as you please before a truly special experience – an after-hours visit to the Churchill War Rooms – the underground “nerve center” where Winston Churchill strategized World War II campaigns and the Allied route to victory.

Day 3
Depart London this morning for passage to France, by way of high-speed train under the English Channel. Within a couple of hours you’ll arrive at the Paris Nord station, and from there a transfer takes you to the Seine, where your riverboat awaits. Settle in, then join us for a welcome reception and Captain’s toast followed by dinner aboard ship.

Day 4
Begin your day in the city that Ernest Hemingway aptly called a “moveable feast” with an orientation tour revealing Paris icons like the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Grand Palais, the Opera Garnier and the Eiffel Tower. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend as you please in Paris or aboard the riverboat. A chocolate demonstration and tasting precedes cocktails and dinner this evening.

Day 5
Today you’ll travel outside of Paris to the magnificent Château de Versailles, the stunning palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV on a guided visit, viewing its sumptuous salons, halls, and apartments, including the Hall of Mirrors, the private Opera House and the Chapel; if you wish, join your Tauck Director for a stroll through the Château’s magnificent gardens. This afternoon set sail for Auvers-sur-Oise, a charming French village renowned for its picturesque landscapes and rich artistic heritage, famously captured by Vincent van Gogh during his final days.

Day 6
With your riverboat docked in Poissy, drive to the town of Auvers-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh spent his last days. The town has hardly changed since, so you’ll be able to recognize scenes from his paintings, including the view of the town hall, seen from the upper window of his room at the inn. You can also visit his room, No. 5 at the Auberge Ravoux, which has never been rented since he died in 1890. This afternoon, sail for Vernon, enjoying a Tauck Director lecture in the lounge en route; arrive in Vernon after dinner.

Day 7
Leave your riverboat for a visit to Giverny and Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s house and exquisite gardens. Personally designed by the artist as subjects for his paintings, Monet’s gardens have been restored and maintained as he originally intended – complete with the Japanese bridge, the pond of water lilies, and exotic flora – so that you’ll feel like you’ve entered a Monet landscape. After lunch aboard ship, spend the afternoon exploring Vernon as you please – it’s a fabulous place for walks. Smaller towns and villages are home to a wealth of cultural treasures, and offer you the chance to immerse in daily life; half-timbered houses, and wrought-iron shop signs line cobblestone streets that retain their Middle Ages character. If you choose, set off on a bicycle trip from Vernon to Giverny before returning to your riverboat for an art lecture discussing the work of impressionist artists.

Day 8
This morning, cruise to Rouen, which Victor Hugo called “the city of a hundred bell towers.” Once the prosperous medieval capital of Normandy, Rouen still bristles with spires and entices with Gothic churches, impeccably restored half-timbered houses, and picturesque cobblestone lanes. Joan of Arc was tried and burned at the stake here in 1431 and her presence is immortalized everywhere in monuments, churches, and even in chocolate-almond confections called “Joan of Arc’s tears.” On a walking tour you’ll see the Notre Dame Cathedral that inspired artists and writers, the Astronomical Clock, the Château Rouen, and the Saint Joan Tower. Enjoy free time to explore the city’s historic center on your own before returning to the riverboat. This evening, join us for a private tour and evening of dinner and music at Château du Taillis, set on a parkland estate in Duclair; built in 1530, the exquisite Italian Renaissance château with baroque interiors is a brilliant architectural showcase.

Day 9
You have a choice of sightseeing today on France’s Normandy coast – between excursions to Étretat and Honfleur, or Caen. On the first choice, head to Étretat on the Alabaster Coast, where sheer white cliffs plunge to the blue sea, and the elements have carved astonishing giant arches from the cliffside rock; take an orientation tour of the town, a magnet for artists in the 19th century, and visit the beach and the cliffs. Continue on to Honfleur, an old picturesque trading port where 17th-century houses line the harbor and cobblestone backstreets beckon – a favorite haunt of painters past (like Boudin, Courbet, Monet and Jongkind of the école de Honfleur, which gave rise to the Impressionist movement) and present – to explore as you please and have lunch. Or, in the port city of Caen – renowned for historic buildings from the reign of William the Conqueror, and for the heavy fighting that took place there after the WWII D-Day invasion – visit the Mémorial de Caen, with its Peace Museum and memorial gardens. Back aboard the riverboat, enjoy a lecture on D-Day by a local expert.

Day 10
Leave the ship in Le Havre for a tour of the beaches where World War II’s pivotal D-Day landings occurred on June 6, 1944. See Omaha Beach and Pointe-du-Hoc, where American troops scaled sheer cliffs with ropes and fire ladders to reach enemy artillery batteries, and visit the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, on a bluff overlooking the beach; the tranquil setting and its history will not fail to move you. Reboard your riverboat in Caudebec-en-Caux to continue your cruise; enjoy evening cocktails before dining onboard as you wish.

Day 11
Your riverboat arrives at Les Andelys, named for two fishing villages at a scenic bend in the river where the imposing ruins of Château Gaillard rise on a cliff. The castle was built in 1198 by Richard the Lionheart, Duke of Normandy, to defend against an invasion from the King of France. A marvel of engineering, the fortress was constructed in only a year, using thousands of workers; it was thought to be impervious, but fell after a siege in 1204. The ruins in their picturesque setting overlooking the Seine are still there to inspire, as they have generations of painters like Nicolas Poussin, as you explore the grounds on a guided visit. Next, ramble in the classic twin French villages below, with their medieval lanes, colorful half-timbered houses and gardens. Travel a short distance from town to visit a ciderhouse (another Tauck Exclusive) to learn how the many variations of Norman apple cider – and Calvados, an apple brandy renowned in this region – are made… and of course enjoy a tasting of both. Return to the riverboat and cruise to Paris; tonight, join the Captain for a farewell reception followed by dinner.

Day 12
Tour ends: Paris, France. Fly home anytime. Transfers are included directly from the riverboat to Charles de Gaulle Airport, Gare de Lyon Station, Charles de Gaulle Station and Gare du Nord. You should allow 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.

One of the 361-foot (110-meter) riverboats in Tauck’s Destination Fleet, this newly redesigned riverboat debuts in 2017 with a new deck plan optimized for the utmost in spaciousness – with 70% of her cabins measuring 225 square feet or larger – and accommodating no more than 98 guests, while similar-sized riverboats average about 160. Guest amenities inside her 14 lush 300-square-foot Tauck Suites include brocade upholstery, roomy walk-in closets with built-in drawers, spacious bathrooms with separate showers, and two French balconies with floor-to-ceiling windows that open to idyllic riverscapes. She also sports twenty roomy 225-square-foot cabins, four 183-square-foot cabins and one 182 square-foot cabin, similarly furnished. Eight 150-square-foot cabins are cozy and comfortable, and are similar in décor and style to our larger suites. 85% have floor-to-ceiling windows with real French balconies that open on to a balcony in the fresh air; all have in-room movies, minibar, adjustable heating and cooling, private bathroom and shower with pampering toiletries. In addition to our main dining room, The Compass Rose, the ship also features Arthur’s, a second dining venue offering casual fare.

We couldn’t find just the right words to describe the sumptuous bedding and amenities we custom ordered for your in-cabin cruising comfort… 400-thread-count satin bed linens made from the finest combed cotton… puffy white duvets and pillows of very fine mako cotton, with a 90% down filling… 100% cotton blankets, temperature balancing and so soft to the skin… and thick pillow-top mattresses that lull you to sleep… along with the Essentials Line of Molton Brown bath products, exclusive to Tauck… absorbent terry cloth robes and fluffy towels… hair dryers… but we do know they are key for waking up refreshed and relaxed for your traveling pleasure.

Inspirational cruising… and the promise of fun. Cruise travel at its best.

What makes Tauck’s Small Ship Cruising and River Cruising unique is our focus on the destination – in scenic ports of call that connect you with people and places… moving, compelling and heart-warming experiences onboard and ashore… inspiration through Tauck’s cruise travel. We cast anchor in pristine bays, off island beaches and at docks accustomed to personal yachts… in small towns and villages along the great rivers of Europe… and in some of the world’s favorite cities. Our time ashore is enriched by in-depth cultural exploration and insider access that ensures up-close-and-personal connections with the locals and daily life. Our cruise travel adventures include guided sightseeing with local experts such as naturalists, historians, and accomplished lecturers. You’ll dine on regional cuisine on land at aboard ship that showcases specialties of the destination. And after a day of extraordinary sightseeing, we welcome you back onboard our hand-picked vessels for warm camaraderie and lively conversation that’s inherent on every Tauck cruise travel experience. The stories are endless, the memories are timeless and the connections priceless.

Select the Deck to view detail.

Sapphire - Emerald Deck

Sapphire - Ruby Deck

Sapphire - Diamond Deck

Sapphire - Sun Deck

Select the Cabin to view detail.

Category 7 Tauck Suite

14 elegant 300-square-foot Category 7 Tauck Suites on the Diamond Deck boast two floor-to-ceiling French balconies with sliding door and large bathrooms.



Elegantly designed 300 sq. ft. Tauck Suites
Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with 90% down filling
Two floor-to-ceiling French Balconies, each 98 inches wide x 75 inches high each with one sliding door that opens
Quad cabin made possible by pullout couch (only for children)
Large bathroom with separate shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive
Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers
Coffee maker plus mini-bar stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily
32” LED TV
Breakfast room service
Iron plus ironing board
220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom
Pull-out couch, two club chairs & coffee table, a desk and a TV credenza
Walk-in closet and dresser
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Telephone, safe and individual climate control
Onboard wi-fi available

Category 1 Cabin

Situated on the Emerald deck, eight 150-square-foot Category 1 cabins each include a bathroom featuring Molton Brown toiletries, a Tauck Exclusive.


Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins
Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with 90% down filling
Two 2’ x 3’ windows
Bathroom with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive
Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers
Refrigerator stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily
32” LED TV
220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom
Two chairs plus a desk
Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Telephone, safe and individual climate control
Onboard wi-fi available

Category 2 Cabin

One spacious, elegantly appointed Category 2 cabin is located forward on the Emerald deck, measuring 182 square feet and featuring a roomy bathroom with shower.


Elegantly designed 182 sq. ft. cabin
Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with 90% down filling
Bathroom with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive
Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers
Refrigerator stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily
32” LED TV
220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom
Two chairs plus a desk
Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Telephone, safe and individual climate control
Onboard wi-fi available

Category 3 Cabin

Two 150-square-foot Category 3 cabins, located on the Diamond Deck, feature one floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door for superior views.


Elegantly designed 150 sq. ft. cabins
Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with 90% down filling
One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens
Bathroom with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive
Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers
Refrigerator stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily
32” LED TV
220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom
Two chairs plus a desk
Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Telephone, safe and individual climate control
Onboard wi-fi available

Category 4 Cabin

Two 183-square-foot Category 4 cabins, both located on the Ruby Deck, feature one floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door for superior views.


Elegantly designed 183 sq. ft. cabins
Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with 90% down filling
One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens
Bathroom with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive
Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers
Refrigerator stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily
32” LED TV
220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom
Two chairs plus a desk
Built-in closets with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Telephone, safe and individual climate control
Onboard wi-fi available

Category 5 Cabin

Set forward on the Diamond Deck, two spacious, Category 5 cabins measure 183 square feet and sport one floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door.


Elegantly designed 183 sq. ft. cabins
Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with 90% down filling
One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens
Bathroom with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive
Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers
Refrigerator stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily
32” LED TV
220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom
Two chairs plus a desk
Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Telephone, safe and individual climate control
Onboard wi-fi available

Category 6 Cabin

Twenty spacious 225-square-foot Category 6 cabins, each featuring a floor-to-ceiling French balcony with one sliding door, are located on the Ruby Deck.


Elegantly designed 225 sq. ft. cabins
Bed size: 62 inches X 77 inches (with optional twin-bed configuration)
400 thread count cotton linenswhite duvets and pillows of mako cotton with 90% down filling
One floor-to-ceiling French Balcony (98 inches wide x 75 inches high) with one sliding door that opens
Bathroom with shower
Molton Brown toiletries – a Tauck Exclusive
Terry-cloth bathrobe plus slippers
Refrigerator stocked with complimentary water and soft drinks replenished daily
32” LED TV
220v and 110v outlets in cabin and bathroom
Two chairs plus a desk
Built-in closet with drawers
Easy under-bed luggage storage
Telephone, safe and individual climate control
Onboard wi-fi available