Compare Active & Discovery on the Seine (Southbound) by Avalon Waterways vs Girls getaway trip to Paris & Champagne by Paris-Toujours
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 6 days |
| Price From | $ 4,519 | $ 2,320 |
| Price Per Day | $ 502 | $ 387 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Private guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Luxury |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description | With a delicious menu of culturally immersive experiences, an Avalon Active & Discovery cruise on the Seine serves up joie de vivre at every port. History meets happiness as you decide how to savor the castles, croissants, châteaux, and chèvre of fabulous France from Paris to Normandy.Our wide array of Classic, Discovery, and Active excursions puts you in the driver’s seat of your vacation – whether that’s a bicycle seat, canoe seat, or a front row seat at a culinary or cocktail workshop where you’ll learn hands-on how to master the delightful delicacies this gastronomic country is known for. This is your tour de France. No matter how you choose to journey through it, monumental discoveries and moving experiences await at every turn.Move.Enjoy a little get-up-and-go on your cruising vacation when you:•Say “oui” and “whee” on a bicycle tour through the heart of Paris. •Paddle a canoe past the timbered houses, 12th century castles and gothic church of charming Vernon. •Hop on an E-bike for a leisurely tour of the impressive Château de Maisons-Lafitte.And be moved.Get off the beaten path and relish the world when you:•Whip up sweet Chantilly cream with the culinary experts at the even sweeter Chantilly Castle.•Stop and smell the roses as you stroll through the home and gardens of master impressionist Claude Monet.•Shake it up at a Benedictine cocktail workshop at the palace where the world-famous liqueur is made. Plus, Classic sightseeing is always available in every port along the way.Activate your senses and discover a world of wonder in all-new, entirely “you” ways on your personal, passion-packed cruise along the Seine. |
Paris is well known for its romantic ambiance but it also a great place for a girls getaway ! Why not combine culture, gastronomy, pampering and shopping experiences. We can help organize this special girls getway trip for any occasion. To make this trip even more memorable, we can include a private day tour to Champagne so you can taste and feel what makes Champagne bubbles so special ! |
Day 1: PARIS, FRANCE
Bienvenue en France!
Your day is free to explore the world’s most romantic city. Get acquainted with the City of Lights today with some shopping, strolling, or with a croissant and café au lait to watch the world go by amid the Parisian cityscape.
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Day 2: PARIS–LE HAVRE (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to France! Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Enjoy some free time in Paris today, before transfer to Le Havre and board your cruise on the Seine. Tonight, enjoy dinner on board and explore your Suite Ship®.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LE HAVRE
(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 3: LE HAVRE
20th Century Architecture and White Cliffs of Normandy
Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host.
ACTIVE Explore the city as only a local would: by bicycle. Cycle up to the quartier Saint François, OR: DISCOVERY Travel to Fecamp to visit the Palais Benedectine where the world famous Benedectine liquor is made. Enjoy a short Self-Guided Tour followed by a cocktail workshop focused around the famous liquor, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour to Le Havre and discover the modern architecture of its city center, rebuilt by Auguste Perret and part of the World Heritage of Humanity. This afternoon, you may want to choose among the Guided Optional Excursions available
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO CAUDEBEC
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 4: CAUDEBEC. EXCURSION TO NORMANDY
Heroic Bravery on Normandy Beaches and French Farming Traditions
DISCOVERY Join a ‘Day in Normandy’ tour with a Local Guide to trace the steps of William the Conqueror, King Henry IV, and Queen Marie de' Medici. Toast the day with a brandy tasting in Calvados, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Visit to the WWII landing beaches of Normandy. Take a full-day tour of significant U.S. sites, including Omaha Beach, the Pointe du Hoc monument, and the American Cemetery, OR: CLASSIC Take a full-day Guided Tour of the British and Canadian commemorative sites, including the British cemetery, Pegasus Memorial, the seaside town of Arromanches, the Juno Beach Center, and the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship while sailing to Rouen. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ROUEN(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 5: ROUEN
The Cathedral of Notre-Dame, and a Heroine for France
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Rouen—home of the martyred Saint Joan of Arc—and see the medieval quarter with its 16th-century Astronomical Clock, and Notre-Dame Cathedral. In the afternoon, you're free to explore the city on your own or to join one of our Optional Excursions.
Later, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ROUEN
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 6: LES ANDELYS
Serenity on the Seine’s Most Beautiful Riverbends
ACTIVE Join a Guided Hike up to the castle ruins of Château Gaillard—historic home of King Richard the Lionheart and a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, OR:DISCOVERY Visit one of 'most beautiful villages of France' situated in a beautiful forested setting in Normandy. Afterwards discover the legends of the haunted Abbey de Mortemere, OR:CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Les Andelys—one of France’s most picturesque spots on the Seine. Visit the Saint Sauveur’s Church of Le Petit Andely.DISCOVERY While sailing, enjoy a traditional French luncheon of authentic French crêpes, followed by a Pastry Demonstration.VERNON
Monet’s Muses and Castle Courtyards
ACTIVE Spend a fun and active day kayaking. Join an expert guide and paddle your way through areas accessible only by water, OR:DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of Giverny, home and inspiration of the master impressionist painter Claude Monet. Walk the grounds and see Monet’s charming residence, and the flower and water gardens captured in his masterpieces, OR:CLASSIC Explore the picturesque town of Vernon with a leisurely Guided Tour through its marvelous medieval streets on the banks of the Seine River.EVENING CRUISE TO CONFLANS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 7: CONFLANS
Walk in the Footsteps of Van Gogh and Bonaparte
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE This Guided E-bike Tour will take you to the Château de Maisons-Lafitte where you will enjoy a special snack, OR:DISCOVERY Travel to the Chantilly Castle on your own where the experts of the Confrérie des Chevaliers Fouetteurs de crème Chantilly will show you how to prepare your own Chantilly cream, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of Auvers-sur-Oise, and walk in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh, who lived, worked, and is buried here. See the landscapes and village scenes captured in his paintings, OR: CLASSIC Take a Guided tour of the opulent Château de Malmaison*—home of Napoléon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine.You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to the Palace of Versailles—home to a succession of French kings.
This afternoon, cruise to Paris and in the evening enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
*Château de Malmaison is closed the 1st Monday of each month.
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Day 8: PARIS
Cafés, Cathedrals, and Canvases—The City of Lights Truly Shines
ACTIVE Hop on a bike to explore Paris like a local on this enjoyable guided tour through its sights, mesmerizing history, and incredible ambiance, OR:DISCOVERY Immerse yourself on our Food and Cultural Tour of Paris where you will find out why the French food and culinary tradition has been even added to the UNESCO heritage list, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing which will show you magnificent must-see sights.Alternatively, stroll through Paris on your own or linger over wine in a literary café on the Left Bank.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN PARIS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 9: PARIS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
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Day 1: Arrival Day In Paris
On arrival at the airport private welcome and transfer to your hotel in the centre of Paris. Free time to relax and wander in the lively streets around your hotel with many suggestions. Why not enjoy a glass of wine or a delicious cocktail on a terrace overlooking the city.
Day 2: Shop In Le Marais And Cheese Tastings
After a typical French breakfast with croissants and many other pastries, your expert guide will pick you up for a private shopping tour in Le Marais district. This neighbourhood will impress you with its architecture, as it is dotted with numerous private mansions (“hotels particuliers”) dating from when Henri IV made this an aristocratic neighbourhood. It is also now known for its eclectic and lively ambiance with many vintage shops and trendy designers. Your guide will take you around the best boutiques and will help you find the perfect outfit that no one else will have back home.
In the afternoon, you will be meeting Pierre the cheese master in the hip 10th arrondissement. The cheese cellar is in a beautiful 17th century vaulted cellar – this is one of the last maturation cellars existing in Paris. You will learn about the Cheese maturation process and finish your experience with a cheese tasting paired with French wines.
Day 3: Rodin Museum And Pampering Afternoon
This morning you will be visiting with a private guide the Musée Rodin. Nearly 300 works from Rodin’s collection are on view in this mansion designed along the lines of classical architecture. Most famous works can be seen like ‘the Thinker’ or ‘The Kiss’. The garden of this museum is also definitely worth a visit!
After visiting Le Musée Rodin, enjoy a cosy afternoon in a charming spring cottage setting in the heart of Paris. This place is the ultimate sanctuary of well-being to enjoy on girls getaway. During 2-H an expert will take care of you and you will get a manicure/pedicure and makeup. Beyond well-being spa services, you will be able to taste delicious pastries and tasty teas.
End the evening at Girafe restaurant for a lovely dinner overlooking the twinkling Eiffel Tower.
Day 4: Day Tour To Champagne
After breakfast begin your girl’s day tour to Champagne! Your chauffeur will transfer you to the train station – you will then take the train to Reims in Champagne. Starting from Reims, this private champagne tour will enable you to discover the highlights of Reims as well as the beautiful champagne vineyards. Visit family run estates and taste different varieties of champagne. Finally, discover a prestigious champagne house (Moet&Chandon/Dom Perignon) and cellars, as well as the Gothic Notre Dame cathedral in Reims, one of the city’s designated UNESCO world heritage sites. Train back to Paris.
Day 5: Yoga & Sunset Cruise
Start the day with your private coach for a 2H yoga class. The class will be taken in the famous Luxembourg garden or on a Parisian rooftop with an amazing view. Your coach will of course adapt his class according to your wishes and bring all the necessary equipment. At the end of the class enjoy a fresh fruit and vegetable juice to fill up on vitamins.
Free afternoon to relax and make the most of Paris with many suggestions.
In the evening, meet your skipper for a private cruise on the Seine. The cruise will take place during sunset, so you get to see the city from a beautiful and different angle. Whilst admiring the different monuments, enjoy a French “aperitif” with cheese, ham, and wine! What a way to finish your girls getaway trip in France!
Day 6: Back Home
Pick-up by your chauffeur and transfer to CDG airport for your flight back home.
