Gastronomy of the Seine - MS Jane Austen

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Arrival at Conflans - On arrival, transfer by coach to your cruise ship moored on the River Seine on the outskirts of the city. The friendly crew will welcome you on board, helping you settle into your spacious and exquisitely furnished accommodation – you’ll immediately feel at home. This evening you’ll enjoy your first sumptuous dinner, served in the ship’s restaurant.
• Day 2
  Les Andelys - On our first morning, you can enjoy sailing along the Seine as the landscape glides by. You'll quickly get used to this luxurious sightseeing experience as we pass the town of Mantes-la-Jolie with its imposing church – so large and architecturally impressive it could be a cathedral. Beyond Mantes, we'll encounter another typical feature of the Seine as it flows seaward – picturesque chalk cliffs, almost resembling a giant’s teeth. Beautiful villages like La Roche Guyon slide by, surrounded by bocage countryside of lush pastures and high hedgerows, countless cider orchards, half-timbered barns and ancient wooden farmhouses. We’re truly in the heart of one of France’s historic and stunningly attractive dukedoms – Normandy.  While you’re enjoying your first delicious lunch, the captain has skilfully berthed at Les Andelys, a small town dominated by one of the most spectacular sights along the entire valley – Château Gaillard. This afternoon we discover the story behind this remarkable castle. The remarkable Château Gaillard guards the apex of the river bend and was built by Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century to defend Rouen from the French. Besieged many times during the turbulent history of northern France, Château Gaillard is now one of the most dramatic ruins in the region.  Leaving Château Gaillard, we'll head to a charming Normandy farm. For over 30 years, this beautiful farm in the heart of the Normandy countryside has been producing delicious apple juice, sparkling apple wine, jellies and compotes, vinegar, aperitif, and cider brandy. Here,  we'll uncover the secrets of why this region is an ideal apple-growing haven and immerse ourselves in the Normandy way of life. Our visit will culminate in savouring their delectable apple-based creations, accompanied by an array of terrines and rillettes.
• Day 3
  Rouen - We'll awake in Rouen, Normandy’s capital, one of Europe’s finest medieval cities and the scene of many momentous events over the centuries. Pride of place on our guided tour of the city is its stunning Gothic cathedral. Instantly recognisable to art lovers, the cathedral was immortalised by Monet in a series of 28 paintings which depicted the facade at varying times of day and in different weather conditions. It was also briefly the world’s tallest building when the soaring spire was added in the 19th century. The cathedral is also known for its statue, which reputedly contains the heart of Richard the Lionheart. Rouen’s beautifully tangled alleyways are a revelation, lined with antique shops, tasteful boutiques and, of course, countless restaurants serving exceptional local cuisine emphasising the country’s outstanding gastronomic heritage. The Place du Vieux-Marché is one of the city’s most poignant spots; a large cross marks the point where the ‘Maid of Orléans’ Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for her beliefs. During another superb lunch, we'll cast off to navigate through yet more twists and turns, chalk cliffs and a landscape of forest-covered hills that are designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty and sanctuaries for diverse wildlife, including deer and wild boar. Another highlight of the valley soon greets us – the ethereal ruins of Jumièges Abbey. Founded in the 7th century, it was consecrated in the presence of William the Conqueror and was an important political and religious centre until it was sacked in the 16th century. Join our chefs in the lounge for a cooking demonstration to learn more about baking tarte tatin (French Apple Tart) as we sail through the beauty of the Normandy countryside, passing apple orchids that have existed since the 8th century. In the late afternoon, we'll moor in the pretty town of Caudebec-en-Caux. Tonight, enjoy another French delicacy during our Champagne reception. We'll sip on bubbly grown and produced in some of the world's most coveted vineyards and châteaux in France's Champagne region while listening to the laid-back tones of a guitarist singing traditional French melodies - the perfect way to end our day. 
• Day 4
  Bayeux & Arromanches - After breakfast you’ll be ready for a full-day tour exploring two of the most important aspects of European history – the Bayeux Tapestry and the D-Day landings. (Please note lunch is not provided today.) Bayeux itself is a delightful town with a historic core that escaped the ravages of war, so you can marvel at its many splendid buildings including the grand Gothic cathedral. But, of course, Bayeux is most famous as the home of the tapestry telling the story of the Norman invasion of Britain in 1066 in glorious detail. Among its 75 scenes are the coronation of Harold following the death of Edward the Confessor and his subsequent demise at the Battle of Hastings, which led to William of Normandy invading England and becoming king. The 230-foot-long tapestry is made up of nine panels of extremely delicate embroidery – gazing at its wonderful depictions of the battle and the period’s architecture, weapons and everyday life, you’ll appreciate why the Bayeux Tapestry is arguably the finest relic of the Middle Ages. This afternoon we drive to Arromanches, where you will have free time for lunch. Then enjoy a visit to a museum dedicated to the ‘longest day’ where you can still see remnants of the two Mulberry harbours constructed for the landing craft. Leaving Arromanche, we continue to the British Normandy Memorial – unveiled in 2021, the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings. From here you have best point of view to Gold Beach, one of the five main landing sites on D-Day, when Allied forces surged into Normandy to begin the liberation of occupied Europe. Casting your eyes across the sand to the water’s edge, it’s sobering to consider that on 6 June 1944 around 25,000 British troops came ashore on this one beach with 400 killed by the defenders. We will then drive back to the ship moored in Caudebec. After a day recalling such momentous events and the stories surrounding them, thoughts turn again to the culinary delights awaiting you in the refined comfort of the ship’s restaurant.
• Day 5
  Honfleur - Honfleur is often regarded as the most picturesque spot on the northern French coast, and after breakfast we make the short journey to this delightful town and enjoy a guided tour. Its old harbour, sheltering both fishing boats and luxurious pleasure craft, is beautifully preserved and surrounded by a perfect waterfront of pastel-coloured 16th- to 18th-century houses, many converted to seafood restaurants. Watch the talented artists capturing the captivating views along the waterfront, while the intricate maze of streets behind is also well worth discovering. The eaves of the tall half-timbered buildings almost touch, and on the streets below is an abundance of traditional shops selling antiques, books and fine foods. Honfleur’s most famous son is Eugene Boudin, one of the forerunners of Impressionism and a friend of Claude Monet, who also painted the harbour many times. During our walking tour, we'll stop at Honfleur's oldest crêperie. Here, we'll taste the thin rolled pancake that has been popular in the French-speaking world for at least seven centuries. Sitting to eat, you can enjoy your choice of crêpe with sweet caramel, jam, chocolate, butter or sugar, made to order. Alternatively, you could try a local speciality - a galichot - which is a mixture of a pancake and a blini, offering the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Whichever you choose, you can wash it down with a glass of cider local to the area. After returning to the ship for lunch, we’ll slip our mooring and begin our passage back upstream, retracing the river’s winding course, its huge variety of wildlife, enchanting scenery and forests, all reflected in differing colours in the sparkling waters. Villages slip by, birds glide on thermals rising from the surrounding cliffs and, as this ever-changing kaleidoscope slips by, it’s an ideal opportunity to join new friends for a chat. Squeeze in a spot of reading on the Sun Deck or simply recline, letting the gentle breezes lull you into a relaxing doze. By this stage of your cruise, you’ll be totally unwound, and modern life will seem very distant.
• Day 6
  Giverny & Bizy Castle - One of the great delights of river cruising is the magical sensation of waking up in a different place from where you were the night before. This morning the ship has moored in delightful Vernon, and we take the short drive to Giverny to visit Monet’s garden and house. The artist himself called his garden his ‘most beautiful masterpiece’, and it’s certainly one of the world’s most photographed and painted, ideally viewed in the delicate morning light. In the Japanese-inspired water garden, shaded by great weeping willows and surrounded by bamboo, rhododendrons and azaleas, is the lily pond where he painted his extraordinary Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series. There’s ample time to wander here, absorbing the tranquil atmosphere while marvelling at the light bouncing off foliage of every hue and the magical reflections dancing off the water. After another leisurely lunch on board, we'll take a short drive to Bizy Castle. This classic château, built in 1740, is said to have been inspired by Versailles. Its previous owners include Louis XV, the Duke of Penthièvre, King Louis Philippe and Joseph-Napoléon Bonaparte - the older brother of Napoleon. During our visit, we'll break into smaller groups to enjoy a tour of the salons, adorned with carved wood panelling and souvenirs from the Bonaparte Family, offering a glimpse into life as the owner of this historic château. We'll also find out about the 750 different apple varieties grown in Normandy and what makes this region the best place to grow apples for cider during an interactive wine-tasting experience. Then sample some world-renowned Norman cheeses such as the nutty Livarot, smooth Pave d'Auge and soft and creamy Camembert while you learn more about how they're made and why they're awarded an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée. Back onboard, we'll embark on our cruise to Mantes-La-Jolie. As the sun sets on the shimmering Seine and the Norman countryside recedes into dusk, it’s a perfect time to reflect on your few days cruising among the creamy chalk cliffs and charming villages of this splendid river.
• Day 7
  Auvers-sur-Oise - A leisurely start to the day begins with a typical French brunch onboard, including an array of pastries, breads and jams. If you’d like to stretch your legs this morning, there’s time for a stroll through Mantes-La-Jolie to see the church. Dating back to the 12th and 13th century, you may have spotted this Gothic building as we sailed and it’s even more impressive up-close. Then sit back and soak up the views as we sail back towards Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. A comfortable sun lounger awaits on deck to watch the world go by, or chat over a cup of tea in the lounge whilst the river vistas silently drift past the panoramic windows. After lunch, we'll drive through the sleepy bocage countryside, a green landscape of lush pastures and high hedgerows to the captivating village of Auvers-sur-Oise, which has welcomed and inspired a host of famous artists through the centuries. Cezanne, Pissarro and most notably Vincent Van Gogh, who famously shot himself and was buried here in 1890, all drew inspiration from this picturesque spot with Van Gogh describing the little town as ‘seriously beautiful’. During a guided tour with a local expert, visit the elegant Château d'Auvers, a historic Louis XIII-style building, with all the style and ambience associated with 19th-century Impressionism where you can immerse yourself in the history of this world-renowned period. After a tour of its splendid interior, stroll the blissful gardens, admiring the perfumed blooms, manicured hedges and cooling fountains. This evening it’s time for another highlight in the elegant restaurant with the Chef’s Dinner, during which the chef presents a magnificent menu with local specialities. After dinner, head to the lounge and bar to enjoy a musical performance by a local French accordionist.
• Day 8
  Return home