Idyllic villages and historic towns are among the wonders that await in La Belle France on this scenic river cruise holiday along the Seine

Your holiday begins this afternoon as you arrive at London St Pancras and meet the Tour Manager and travel group. Joining the Eurostar service to Paris, we can enjoy the views as we cross into France.

As we arrive in Paris, a coach takes us to the riverside, where our ship awaits. We are welcomed aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond with a drink, creating the perfect atmosphere for the start of the holiday. You could take your beverage to the sundeck and relax in anticipation of our upcoming Seine cruise or take some time to get acquainted with the ship's facilities.

After settling into our cabins this evening, we enjoy our first dinner together, complete with a drinks package, and begin cruising down the Seine toward Conflans St Honorine.

Waking up in Conflans St Honorine at the confluence of the rivers Oise and Seine, an inspirational excursion awaits this morning. After breakfast on the ship, we make our way to quaint Auvers-sur-Oise, a commune in France renowned for its scenic charm and artistic heritage. Narrow lanes with shuttered homes lead our tour through the tranquil landscapes that Vincent van Gogh's masterpieces have immortalised.

We return to the ship in time for lunch and then have a free afternoon to discover the timeless cottages, rustic windmills and verdant fields of Conflans St Honorine at leisure. These scenes inspired the works of renowned impressionist artists, such as Charles-François Daubigny, Paul Cézanne, Camille Pissarro and, of course, van Gogh, whose final resting place is here. Your explorations will quickly reveal why.

Back onboard later this afternoon, a guest speaker presents an insightful talk on Impressionism before we end the day with dinner and drinks and begin a gentle overnight cruise to Rouen.

Enjoy breakfast while overlooking the riverside scenery this morning as we approach Rouen, the former capital of Normandy. We step ashore here for a guided tour, which follows more of the Impressionists' footsteps.

This medieval city is home to the Museum of Fine Arts and a vast collection of Impressionist compositions. We visit Rouen Cathedral, which was depicted in oil by Claude Monet in a series of more than 30 paintings showing the building at different times of the day. We also experience the modern Church of Joan of Arc, with its magnificent 16th-century stained-glass windows.

Lunch is served on the ship, and you then have a free afternoon to continue exploring Rouen at your own pace. You might like to wander the streets and squares, lined with colourful old buildings, or seek out one of the city's many green spaces. Later this afternoon, we return to the ship for dinner, drinks and an evening cruise along the picturesque Seine Valley towards Le Havre.

Enroute to Le Havre, we're joined by renowned British military history expert Piers Storie-Pugh, who delivers a fascinating talk on the Allied landings that changed the course of World War Two. As we sail, we listen to stories of courage, endeavour and achievement on the battlefield and take in the surrounding landscape of Normandy.

After lunch on the ship, we head to the charming port town of Honfleur on the southern bank of the Seine Estuary. Honfleur is located on the historic marina, and our tour showcases its beauty, following in the footsteps of the Impressionist artists who took inspiration from the region.

Returning to the ship in the evening, we sit down to a five-course dinner and then enjoy performances of French ballads from local chanson singers.

An early breakfast is served onboard this morning ahead of our day of exploration, which uncovers the history of Normandy on a guided tour. Points of interest include Omaha Beach, one of the five Allied beach landing sectors on D-Day, and the city of Arromanches, with its remnants of World War Two Mulberries. Here, we visit the D-Day Museum which overlooks Gold Beach and provides an insight into the events of June 1944.

Instead of exploring, you can choose to unwind onboard as the ship sets sail for Caudebec en Caux. The route is beautiful and provides a chance to soak up the changing scenery.

Those who spend the day exploring Normandy rejoin the ship in Caudebec en Caux in time for dinner and drinks. Tonight, we experience another relaxing overnight cruise to Les Andeleys.

Docking in Les Andeleys as we have breakfast this morning, we enjoy a day of exploration at Château Gaillard. This medieval fortress was built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. Discover its imposing ruins and enjoy panoramic views of the Seine River before we continue to Giverny, where we experience Monet's Garden.

The home of famed Impressionist Claude Monet, this area of nature and artistry is reflected in some of his most famed works. Vivid hues burst from flower beds and Japanese arched bridges frame ponds adorned with water lilies - scenes you may recognise from his celebrated canvases.

We rejoin the ship in Vernon and sit down to lunch as we begin the final leg of our sailing journey. Relax on the sun deck with a refreshing drink as we drift along the Seine, passing rolling countryside punctuated by quaint villages, rustic farmhouses and delightful river landscapes enroute to Paris. We enjoy dinner together this evening as the journey unfolds.

We wake up in the French capital, our final port of call. You can stay onboard this morning to relax or visit the opulent Palace of Versailles, once home to French monarchs. Marvel at Versailles' grandeur while admiring its intricate architecture, magnificent artworks and ornate Hall of Mirrors, and then stroll through the meticulously landscaped gardens, embellished with fountains and sculptures.

Alternatively, you can join an optional tour of the City of Light, setting your sights on its most iconic landmarks, including the iconic Eiffel Tower. Our explorations also take us along Champs-Élysées - one of the world's most famous streets - and up Montmartre, the highest hill in northern Paris, to a well-preserved village that recalls the charms of centuries past.

Lunch is served onboard the ship, and then this afternoon is at leisure to immerse yourself in Parisian culture one sight, flavour and experience at a time. This evening is our final night aboard the MS Amadeus Diamond.

This Seine cruise has been one of great beauty, endless culture and remarkable locations. We have walked the quaint streets of Auvers-sur-Oise, explored the historic marvels of Rouen, and seen places like Honfleur's picturesque harbour, Château Gaillard's medieval splendour, and Monet's Garden.

After breakfast together, we bid farewell to our crew and disembark our ship for the final time in Paris to begin our journey home. A coach transfer takes us to the train station, from where we board the Eurostar back to London St Pancras. On arrival here, your holiday draws to a close.

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Completely refurbished in 2019, the AMADEUS Diamond blends intelligent technologies and contemporary aesthetics with unparalleled comfort. This ship has been tailored to exclusively sail the Seine river, from the City of Light and back, bringing luxury onto the French waterways. Whether you're exploring the lower decks or enjoying the open-air River Terrace, there are endless opportunities for relaxation. Treat yourself to a rejuvenating massage before unwinding in your comfortable cabin. Stay active in the fitness studio or engage in a friendly putting competition with fellow passengers on the Sun Deck. Cruising along the Seine provides a close-up perspective of France, showcasing charming villages and historic towns.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.