When Avalon Waterways invited us to choose any of their European river cruises this year, the decision was harder than it sounds. After crossing off the rivers we’d already sailed, one itinerary stood out above the rest: a week on the River Seine. After all, who could resist a cruise that begins and ends in Paris, complete with an overnight hotel stay, and a week sailing aboard the elegant Avalon Tapestry II?

It promised everything we love rolled into one journey: the glamour of Paris, the rolling charm of the French countryside, medieval towns frozen in time, and the poignant history of Normandy. Better still, this was one of Avalon’s “Active & Discovery” cruises — meaning our days would be filled with food tours, cultural treasures, cycling, kayaking, and, of course, more French cheese and wine than is strictly sensible. In short: irresistible.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what an Avalon Seine River Cruise is really like, here’s our day by day account and review of the trip.

Day 1 – Boarding Avalon Tapestry II in Paris

We landed in Paris a little later than planned but Avalon had everything arranged to perfection, with a driver waiting to take us to the ship. Docked at Port de Javel Bas in the 15th arrondissement, the Avalon Tapestry II looked smart and inviting as we boarded just after midday. Our stateroom wasn’t ready straight away, but a light buffet lunch served in the Panorama Lounge and enjoyed on the beautiful sunny terrace at the front of the ship, was more than enough to keep us going.

When our Panorama Suite (322) was ready, we unpacked and quickly discovered just how cleverly the space is designed. The panoramic windows that slide open to transform your room into a balcony were an instant hit, especially as the bed faces out from the room to make the most of the view from the large fully glass wall - We could already picture ourselves flinging the windows open and watching the Seine drift by, all from the comfort of our bed.

With a few hours to spare before the Captain repositioned the ship a bit further down the Seine, we had time to enjoy a riverside walk to the Eiffel Tower, taking the obligatory selfies and soaking up the always busy atmosphere at the foot of the tower, before heading back to the ship before it left. That evening, after champagne and canapés and dinner in the Panorama Restaurant, we joined some of our fellow guests on the top deck to watch the Eiffel Tower light show as it sparkled against the Paris night sky.

Day 2 – Paris Foodie Tour & Sailing Out of the City

With an overnight stay at our new dock in Issy-les-Moulineaux our morning began with an Avalon Discovery excursion, a Paris foodie tour through the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. After battling the city’s traffic by coach, our group of fewer than ten set off on foot with our tour guide to sample some of the delights of the 6th arrondissement. From buttery croissants, traditional baguettes, creamy French cheeses, delicate macarons, and finally a pillowy meringue creation at Aux Merveilleux, we definitely saw Paris at its sweetest.

Back on board the ship, the afternoon gave us a rare moment of calm as most guests had gone on the optional excursion to Versailles, leaving us to fling open our stateroom windows and enjoy the river views for a bit before a meander through the park on the nearby Île de Saint-Germain, returning to the ship just in time for sailaway. Sailing through some of the leafy suburbs of Paris, after another delicious dinner in the Panorama restaurant, we headed back to our room to enjoy the views as we drifted off to sleep with the curtains open, watching the Seine slip quietly past.

Day 3 – Cycling from Conflans to Maisons-Laffitte

We woke to find ourselves docked in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, ready for our first Active excursion: an e-bike ride to Maisons-Laffitte Palace. The ride wound along riverbanks and through forest, though my bike refused to provide its promised “e” assistance for the first half, making the ride more challenging, but with a quick swap of bikes courtesy of our guide, I soon had the electric boost everyone else was enjoying. At the palace we paused for some local apple juice and cake before heading back, tallying up 27km by the time we returned to the ship. Having expended so much energy in the morning we rewarded ourselves with a relaxing afternoon of scenic sailing enjoyed from the comfort of our bed in front of the wide-open windows.

With the weather firmly on our side, we opted for a relaxed dinner out on the bow terrace. Most evenings on the Tapestry II you can choose the bistro option — smaller plates served in the casual setting of the Panorama Lounge, with tables both inside and spilling out onto the terrace. That night we sat outdoors as the ship glided into Vernon, soaking up the atmosphere of the town and watching locals linger along the riverbanks on a warm summer evening. After dinner, a lively can-can troupe came onboard to entertain us. It was spirited, a little cheeky, and just the right amount of fun.

Day 4 – Kayaking, Galettes & Château Gaillard

The next morning brought another Active excursion, kayaking on the River Epte. With high water and strong currents, the 6km paddle went by quickly, though not without a few low-hanging branches to dodge. By the time we pulled our kayaks ashore and had a rather damp wander around Vernon, we were more than ready for lunch.

Our activities of the morning were rewarded with a very special lunch, a local speciality, buckwheat galettes cooked onboard by a renowned chef from Vernon. But that wasn’t all, in the afternoon as we set sail again, Chef Julian gave a pastry demonstration where we got to taste Paris Brest cream — rich, nutty, and utterly moreish.

In the afternoon, we docked at beautiful Les Andelys and hiked up to Château Gaillard, Richard the Lionheart’s fortress perched high above the town. The climb was hot and steep but the reward was a sweeping view over the river and the village below, picture-perfect from every angle, with time to try a Richard the Lionheart local beer back at ground level before the ship set sail again. Later, after dinner, the ship hosted a lively evening of music and dancing, even the Captain took a turn on the microphone.

Day 5 – Discovering Rouen

The medieval city of Rouen is one of the highlights of any Seine itinerary, and we joined a walking tour that took us to its magnificent gothic cathedral, along the cobbled Clock Street, past the market square, and finally to the Joan of Arc monument. After the tour, we explored independently, seeking out half-timbered houses and side-street cafés before returning to the ship.

By evening, the real spectacle began: Rouen’s cathedral light show. Crowds filled the square for the 11pm performance as the façade of the cathedral was transformed into a canvas of colour. Half the show told the story of the Vikings, the other half a dazzling contemporary light display. It lasted half an hour and was one of those “worth staying up late for” moments.

Day 6 – Normandy Beaches Excursion

One of the most moving days of the cruise was our full-day tour of the Normandy D-Day beaches. We began at the Ranville War Cemetery, the first Commonwealth cemetery in France, where rows of white gravestones stood in quiet dignity. We laid flowers at the memorial and reflected on the sacrifice of so many young men.

From there, we visited the Pegasus Bridge Museum, home to a replica of one of the original gliders and the actual bridge itself, preserved as part of the story of the first Allied troops to land in Normandy. Next came the Canadian War Cemetery, another poignant stop with more than 2,000 graves marking the scale of the loss.

By lunchtime we reached Arromanches, where we enjoyed a meal overlooking the remains of the Mulberry Harbour before a wander through the seaside town. Our final visit was to the Canadian Museum at Juno Beach, where exhibits brought to life the experiences of the Canadian forces who landed here on D-Day. It was almost surreal to stand on the same sands now filled with families enjoying the sunshine. By evening, we returned to the ship in Le Havre — emotionally drained, but grateful for the opportunity to pay our respects.

Day 7 – Cycling Tour of Le Havre

Le Havre turned out to be one of the most surprising highlights of the cruise. We set off on a guided bike tour that began at the city’s historic cathedral, one of the few buildings to survive the devastation of World War II. From there, we pedalled along the waterfront to see the playful container-stack art installation before riding on to the city’s stony beach.

The real highlight was a stop at St Joseph’s Church, a striking concrete tower that may look brutalist from the outside but dazzles inside. Its 107-metre lantern tower is filled with stained glass that floods the interior with colour, shifting from cool blues to warm pinks and golds depending on the time of day. Finally, we rode on to Le Volcan, Oscar Niemeyer’s dove-shaped cultural hub, now home to theatres, exhibition spaces, and even a library — a symbol of creativity and peace built on ground once destroyed by war.

By the time we returned to the ship we’d clocked up 9km, pleasantly surprised by just how much Le Havre had to offer. With the last afternoon free, we soaked up the sunshine on deck before donning our finery for Avalon’s farewell gala dinner.

Day 8 – A Parisian Farewell

Much to our dismay the next morning we were disembarked from the Tapestry II, but our Avalon journey wasn’t over just yet. Accompanied by our fabulous Cruise Director, Marco, we all boarded coaches to take us back to Paris where we had an included overnight stay at Le Méridien Paris, giving us one final chance to enjoy the city. We wandered the Champs-Élysées, stood beneath the Arc de Triomphe, and strolled past the glass roof of the Grand Palais before heading to dinner at Le Touring. It was a typically Parisian feast: crusty bread, rich beef stew, a perfectly cooked burger, and a bottle of Saint-Émilion red wine to toast the end of our adventure. It was the ideal finale to a week of river sailing, medieval cities, historic sites, and unforgettable food.

Final Thoughts: Is an Avalon Seine Cruise Worth It?

Our week on the Avalon Tapestry II was everything we’d hoped for and more. From active adventures like kayaking and cycling, to cultural highlights in Rouen and emotional moments on the Normandy beaches, the itinerary struck a perfect balance. Onboard, Avalon’s Panorama Suites, flexible dining, and relaxed atmosphere made it easy to feel at home. Though the Seine may be one of the more overlooked rivers in Europe, we were pleasantly surprised by the scenery and stops along the way from Paris to Normandy. An Avalon Active and Discovery cruise delivered both comfort and adventure, from Paris sunsets, riverside charm, and memories to last a lifetime — we couldn’t have asked for more.

Thank you to Avalon Waterways who hosted us on this eight night Seine river cruise and Paris stay covering the cost of the cruise , excursions and hotel stay in Paris excluding air fares and meals taken off of the ship. Avalon had no editorial control over any of our content, either before, during our after our tour and have not paid us to promote them or this post.

If you enjoyed this blog why not take a look at some of our other blogs, especially our other river cruise content such as our Rhine River cruise with Glacier Express extension

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