A Seine river cruise links Paris and Normandy in 5 to 8 days, with stops at Giverny (Monet’s gardens), Rouen, Les Andelys, Caudebec-en-Caux and Honfleur. If you are after a one-hour sightseeing trip on the Seine in Paris instead, those are the sightseeing boats such as the Bateaux-Mouches or the Bateaux Parisiens. If the Normandy stop interests you, our page on visiting Rouen helps you extend the stay on land.
This page mainly covers the multi-day river cruise, and ends with pointers for a sightseeing cruise in Paris. We did not sail on board for this guide and do not publish passenger reviews: the information comes from the official sites listed at the end of the page. To compare with the other rivers, see our river cruise guide.
Seine river cruise: key facts
- Departure: Paris, on a port-to-port basis (returning to Paris)
- Length: 5 to 8 days depending on the CroisiEurope itinerary
- Stops: Giverny, Rouen, Les Andelys, La Roche-Guyon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Honfleur
- Themes: Impressionism, Normandy history, D-Day beaches on an excursion
- Price noted: from about €900 per person for 6 days, on promotion (noted on 14 October 2026)
Seine river cruise itineraries
Cruises leave Paris and return there. They follow the Seine’s loops down to the estuary; between Caudebec-en-Caux and Honfleur, sailing becomes river-and-sea. These are the itineraries CroisiEurope showed when we checked:
| Itinerary | Length | Stops | « From » price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The finest stops of the Seine valley | 6 days | Paris, Les Andelys, Honfleur, Rouen, Paris | About €900 (promotion) |
| Authentic Normandy and the loops of the Seine | 7 days | Paris, La Roche-Guyon, Caudebec-en-Caux, Honfleur, Rouen, Paris | About €1,350 |
| The history of France, Paris to Normandy (paddle-wheel ship) | 8 days | Paris, Melun, Mantes-la-Jolie, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, La Roche-Guyon, Paris | About €1,860 |
On the Seine, CroisiEurope operates the MS Botticelli (145 passengers), Renoir (105) and Seine Princess (136), among others, according to its ship pages. Some cruises are aboard a paddle-wheel ship, with a program that also goes up toward Melun, Versailles and Fontainebleau. For a visit on land, our page on the Château de Fontainebleau: opening hours and getting there covers closures and the Transilien train journey.
The stops and what you see there
| Stop | What to see | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | Île de la Cité, monuments along the water | Embarkation and disembarkation |
| Giverny | Claude Monet’s house and gardens | Excursion by coach |
| Les Andelys | Normandy riverbank, Château Gaillard overhead | Short stop |
| Rouen | Cathedral, half-timbered houses, memory of Joan of Arc | Often half a day or more |
| Caudebec-en-Caux | Starting point toward the Alabaster Coast and Étretat | Excursions depending on the program |
| Honfleur | Old harbor, Flower Coast | Access to the D-Day beaches on an excursion |
To extend your stay, our guide to Normandy covers Rouen, Honfleur and the D-Day beaches.
When to go on a Seine cruise
Seine cruises are scheduled in season; when we checked on 14 October 2026, departures were still offered on 15, 20, 21 and 25 October 2026. Spring is the time of Giverny’s gardens in bloom; summer has long days but more crowds at the sites. Check the opening dates of the sites you visit (Giverny in particular) if an excursion matters to you. To prepare for this stop, our page on visiting Giverny and Monet’s gardens covers the opening season and access.
Who is a Seine cruise for?
- Ideal: a first try at river cruising, lovers of painting and history
- Less suitable: families with young children (few dedicated activities), travelers looking for guaranteed sunshine
A sightseeing cruise on the Seine in Paris
If you are looking for an outing of an hour or an evening in Paris, several companies offer sightseeing cruises and dinner cruises: Bateaux-Mouches (Port de la Conférence, Pont de l’Alma), Bateaux Parisiens (Port de la Bourdonnais), Vedettes de Paris (Port de Suffren), Vedettes du Pont-Neuf and Bateaux de Paris (Quai des Orfèvres), according to the Paris tourist office. Prices and timetables are on each company’s website.
The ships on the Seine
CroisiEurope lists four ships on the Seine. According to CroisiEurope, all the cabins on its ships on this river have a shower and toilet, television, hairdryer and safe, and each ship has a sun deck with loungers.
| Ship | Decks | Cabins | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Botticelli | 2 | 73 | 145 |
| MS Seine Princess | 2 | 66 | 136 |
| MS Renoir | 2 | 54 | 105 |
| MS R.E. Waydelich L.J. | 2 | 42 | 81 |
The company also offers cruises on the Seine aboard a paddle-wheel ship, such as « Gems of the Seine banks »: Paris, Melun, Saint-Mammès, Corbeil-Essonnes, then La Roche-Guyon for Giverny.
Preparing your Seine cruise
Choosing your cabin and deck
River ships have two or three decks of cabins. Lower-deck cabins generally have smaller windows close to the waterline; upper-deck cabins offer more of a view, at a higher price. Compare the deck plans on the ship’s page before you book: this is often the main price difference between two cabins on the same cruise.
Excursions: package, à la carte or independent
CroisiEurope sells excursions individually or as a package, some on foot from the quay, others by coach; it says you can also explore the stops on your own. On the Seine, Giverny, Étretat and the D-Day beaches are visited on coach excursions. Book early for the excursions you care most about.
Port-to-port or transport included
With a « port-to-port » fare, you get to the ship on your own. Some CroisiEurope cruises are also sold with transport included from certain departure cities; compare the total price by adding flights or trains, transfers and a possible hotel night.
What to pack
- Your passport; check the entry requirements for France before you book: see our France guide
- Comfortable shoes for walking visits
- A warm, waterproof layer for the sun deck, even in summer
- Your booking documents and your insurance certificate
Seine, Rhône or Rhine: a quick comparison
| Criterion | Seine | Rhône | Rhine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departure | Paris | Lyon | Strasbourg |
| Typical length | 6 to 8 days | 4 to 8 days | 4 days |
| Theme | Impressionism, Normandy | Wine, Provence, the Camargue | Castles, Alsace, Christmas |
| « From » price noted | About €900 (6 days) | About €690 (4 days) | About €550 (4 days) |
See our pages on Rhône river cruises and Rhine river cruises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Seine cruise cost?
On 14 October 2026, CroisiEurope showed Seine cruises from about €900 per person for 6 days (on promotion) and about €1,350 for 7 days, depending on the dates. A one-hour sightseeing cruise in Paris is a completely different budget: see the Paris companies’ websites.
What is the best Seine cruise?
For a first time, a 6- or 7-day Paris-Honfleur-Rouen itinerary covers the essentials: Giverny, Rouen and Honfleur. The paddle-wheel ship itinerary adds Versailles and Fontainebleau.
Where does a Seine cruise leave from?
Paris, returning to Paris on the port-to-port packages noted.
Can you see the D-Day beaches?
Yes, on an excursion from Honfleur on some CroisiEurope itineraries; check the program and whether the excursion is included or optional.
Are drinks included?
With CroisiEurope, yes: the all-inclusive package on board includes drinks. See our CroisiEurope page.
Our sources
- CroisiEurope, official site croisieurope.com: destination pages and cruise sheets, consulted on 14 October 2026 (itineraries and « from » prices noted that day)
- Paris je t’aime (Paris tourist office), « Cruises on the Seine » article, updated 6 August 2026, consulted on 14 October 2026
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.