Paris
You can see plenty of amazing sites in the City of Light. However, because you only have about three days to see the French capital, you will need to plan your time wisely. One must-do activity is a visit to the Eiffel tower, where you can view Paris from upon high. You also want to set some time aside to shop along the Champs-Elysees, or to people-watch from a sidewalk café.
Best Time To Visit
According to U.S. World Travel, you should visit Paris from June to August or September to October. The weather from June to August is idyllic if not parfait, as the average temperature hovers around 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
You Should Know
When the Eiffel Tower was built, it was designed to stand temporarily for 20 years, as it was erected for the 1889 World's Fair. Travelers who visit the Eiffel Tower can either climb 1,665 steps to get to the top or take the elevator. By comparison, visitors only need to climb 270 steps to get to the entrance of the Basilica del Sacre Coeur. Three replicas of the Statue of Liberty can be found in Paris, with the most famous replica positioned on an isle in the middle of the Seine River. It is pointed toward the Statue of Liberty in New York.
Vernon
Sitting between Paris and Rouen, the Seine River town of Vernon endears its visitors with its chateaux and half-timbered homes. Some of the town's sights were painted by the French painter, Claude Monet, who resided across the river. The intimist painter, Pierre Bonnard, immortalized many of Vernon's landmarks as well.
Best Time To Visit
Travel from June to August to enjoy the shade and greenery along the Seine River.
You Should Know
Try the chocolate mousse at La Halle Aux Grains in Vernon. The town's timbered frame houses date back to the 12th century. The newer residential areas of the town provide a nice shaded walk in the summer. A quiet place to view the Seine River is the Quai Garnuchot, a peaceful lane that runs along a grassy bank of the stream.
Giverny
Located in the Normandy region, the village of Giverny is located in northern France and offers anyone interested in Monet paintings a chance to learn more about the painter. The Impressionist painter, Claude Monet, made Giverny his home from 1882 until his passing in 1926. Anyone who takes France river cruises along the Seine to the Normandy beaches will want to make sure Giverny is included on their itinerary.
Best Time To Visit
Giverny is best visited during the shoulder season in April or October if you wish to avoid the crowds. During the summer, the destination attracts a throng of tourists.
You Should Know
Monet created his famous water lilies at his home and gardens in Giverny. They are now a part of the Foundation Claude Monet Museum. The Musee des Impressionnismes Giverny showcases Impressionist art.
Rouen
Another stopover along the Seine is Rouen, France. Known as the "city of 100 bells chiming in the air," Rouen is famous for its cathedrals. Some of the churches include the Cathedrale Notre-Dame and the Gothic churches of Saint-Ouen and Saint-Maclou.
Best Time To Visit
Mark your calendar for a France river cruise to the port city of Rouen in April or October. You will spend less money and enjoy a slower pace.
You Should Know
The spires of Cathedrale Notre-Dame can be seen when entering the city of Rouen. The church was the subject of several Monet paintings. The cobblestone pedestrian center in the city features half-timbered homes built during the medieval period. A cross marks the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred.
Caudebec-en-Caux
Situated on the right bank of the Seine estuary, Caudebec-en-Caux often serves as a hub for different day trip excursions. Many river cruise-goers land at this port to venture to nearby Honfleur or to play golf at Etretat.
Best Time To Visit
For reduced river cruise rates and to experience fewer crowds, it is always better to visit Caudebec-en-Caux during April or October.
You Should Know
An excursion to Honfleur from Caudebec will give you a chance to see more of the French countryside and see why the coastal town served as an inspiration for artist Claude Monet's paintings. The colorful and bright houses in the port area welcome guests, even on blustery and cloudy days. Listen to an organ recital at the Caudebec-en-Caux Cathedral while admiring the church's stained-glass windows. Caudebec lies near the stunning seaside resort of Deauville.
Le Havre
No France river cruise that includes Paris is complete without a visit to Le Havre. This Seine River port city sits at the mouth of the River Seine. The city was extensively rebuilt after the Second World War. Because of the architectural expertise of Auguste Perret, who showed new ways of working with concrete, Le Havre was cited as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.
Best Time To Visit
Book a France river cruise to Le Havre during the spring (April or May) or in the fall (October).
You Should Know
Le Havre is a great place to enjoy a repast in one of the restaurants that line the city's promenade. In 1872, Claude Monet painted the morning sun rising through the smokestacks of Le Havre. The artist called his painting, "Impression Sunrise." A negative art critic derided the artist's style as "Impressionism," a term that caught hold and led to a new art movement.
Les Andelys
The small town of Les Andelys basks in the shadow of Chateau-Gaillard, one of the most imposing sites in the Seine River Valley. The fortress, which was built in 1196 by Richard the Lionhearted, was constructed to ward off attacks by Philip Augustus, King of France, and protect the city of Rouen.
Best Time To Visit
Plan to visit Les Andelys in May or October to get a better river cruise rate and to avoid the heavy peak season crowds of summer.
You Should Know
Ascending to the Chateau-Gaillard allows visitors to see picturesque views of the Seine River, as it flows along the lovely bank of Petit-Andely. Limestone cliffs create a memorable and scenic view as they flank the Chateau-Gaillard fortress. The Notre Dame Collegiate Church, in Les Andelys, dates back to the 1200s.
The Normandy Beaches
One of the great attractions to see at the end of a classic France river tour along the Seine are the beaches of Normandy – the sites for the D-Day landings and invasions. This is where the Seine River empties into the English Channel.
Best Time To Visit
Schedule a trip to Normandy beaches when the weather is more temperate, or during May or October.
You Should Know
On June 6, 1944, the beaches of the departements of Calvados and Manche became the designated sites of the famous Normandy Landings. This military maneuver took place to liberate and restore peace to Europe. You can see memorials, dedicated to D-Day activities at sites, such as Utah Beach in Manche, and the Omaha, Sword, Juno, and Gold shorelines in Calvados. Military cemeteries in the area as well as the remains of the Arromanches-Les-Bainsport bear witness to the scale of operations conducted by the military.
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