This is a new perspective. It's Monet's quiet Seine. Joan of Arc's last moments. Richard the Lionheart's medieval château. And an American soldier's Omaha Beach. Every turn of the Seine reveals another story, another piece of history, another impressionist's impression. It's not just another trip to France.
Day
1 Ride to the castle of the Sun King in Versailles, surrounded by verdant parkland 
Spin to St. Cloud, peering at "The City of Light" from above Pedal into Paris on quiet side streets and along the Seine to the ship, your floating luxury hotel for the week. (Cruise overnight Paris to Vernon)
Day
2 Imagine you've stepped into a painting by Monet as you visit the impressionist master's home, gardens and immortalized water lily ponds at Giverny Ride along the Seine to Château de Roche-Guyon and explore picturesque towns filled with half-timbered houses. (Cruise overnight Vernon to Caudebec-en-Caux)
Day
3 Pedal through the lush green Marais Vernier, the largest wetland of the Seine Estuary Stroll in colorful Honfleur, once a beloved haunt of the impressionists You're in Calvados country—care for a taste of this aromatic apple brandy? Delight in the many charms of riverside Caudebec-en-Caux, with its ancient fortifications, half-timbered houses and flamboyant cathedral. (Overnight Caudebec-en-Caux)
Day
4 Join a local historian for a private tour of Omaha Beach and the American Military Cemetery Past and present come together as you bike amid World War II battlefields Get to know the beautifully preserved town of Bayeux Don't miss the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry, a 230-foot-long embroidery depicting the Norman invasion of England. (Cruise overnight Caudebec-en-Caux to Rouen)
Day
5 Wake up in medieval Rouen Journey through the surrounding forests on two wheels or explore Rouen on foot On a private tour, see where Joan of Arc was sent to the stake, marvel at the immense clock tower and admire Notre Dame Cathedral, painted by Monet in the 1890s. (Overnight Rouen)
Day
6 Enjoy views of the Seine as we sail to Les Andelys Ride in the Normandy landscape Wander through the impressive ruins of Richard the Lionheart's medieval Château Gaillard, overlooking the river. (Cruise overnight Les Andelys to Conflans)
Days
7-8 Bike to the town of Auvers-sur-Oise, once home to Cézanne, Pissarro and van Gogh (buried here alongside his brother) View sites associated with the artists' works and ride past Auberge Ravoux, where van Gogh spent the final days of his life Watch the banks of the Seine roll by as we cruise back to Paris. (Overnight Paris)
Please note: Due to the multiple stateroom options available on this trip, reservations can only be made by contacting one of our Trip Consultants at 800-462-2848 or via email.
This terrific new trip introduces you to the legendary Seine River as you cruise and bike from Paris to Normandy. Aboard our glamorous floating hotel—and from the seat of your bicycle—you'll enjoy ever-changing views of castles, cathedrals and lush rolling landscape. From Claude Monet's gardens to D-Day beaches, from Gustave Eiffel's world-famous tower to medieval villages that spirit you back to the days of William the Conqueror, this journey is overflowing with history, culture and pure natural beauty. I hope you'll join us!- France
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception. Read the Straight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
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Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the Dates & Prices tab.
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Enjoy views from the french balcony of your elegant private stateroom, relax in the whirlpool or sauna, walk a few laps on the track, or join fellow passengers on the Sun Deck or in the welcoming main lounge.
View the deck plans. See Dates & Prices for specific ship, stateroom category availability and embarkation/disembarkation details.
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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Comments about Seine River Cruise Bike Tour:
This terrific new trip introduces you to the legendary Seine River as you cruise and bike from Paris to Normandy. Aboard our glamorous floating hotel—and from the seat of your bicycle—you'll enjoy ever-changing views of castles, cathedrals and lush rolling landscape. From Claude Monet's gardens to D-Day beaches, from Gustave Eiffel's world-famous tower to medieval villages that spirit you back to the days of William the Conqueror, this journey is overflowing with history, culture and pure natural beauty. I hope you'll join us!
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next—and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 10 | 400 | 17 | 800 | 26 | 1200 | ||||
| 2 | 13* | 700 | 21 | 900 | 31 | 1400 | ||||
| 3 | 14* | 700 | 24* | 1100 | 36 | 1900 | ||||
| 4 | 12* | 400 | 28 | 1100 | ||||||
| Omaha Beach Tour (1.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 5 | 17* | 500 | 25* | 1000 | 44 | 2000 | ||||
| Rouen Walking Tour (1.5 Hours) | ||||||||||
| 6 | 9* | 100 | 24* | 1100 | 32* | 1400 | 48 | 2000 | ||
| 7 | 11* | 400 | 22* | 800 | 33 | 1100 | ||||
| 8 | Disembarkation | |||||||||
Note:
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
But our luxury river cruise ship does. And along the way we've created a series of great biking routes that take in everything from the palace of Versailles to Monet's garden at Giverny to the D-day invasion beaches. All were designed by Backroads managers and leaders who live in Paris and environs, drawing on a network of insider connections and personal friendships we've built over the past 20 years.
Backroads pioneered the active river trip, partnering with AmaWaterways, the leader in river cruising, to create a new kind of travel experience featuring biking and walking explorations from an elegant floating hotel. Read more about this ideal way to discover the heart of a region.
On our Seine River trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
Choose a Backroads Custom Titanium or Custom Electric Assist bike—both are included in your trip price. Maybe a Specialized carbon-fiber pro model is more your speed or go for double fun on a tandem. Our fleet is the best in active travel, so you don't have to roll the dice on this vital trip component. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders. See the bike options for this trip.
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Seine River—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
Thanks to our extensive connections in Seine River, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politic—and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.
Your ride comes equipped with a Garmin Edge Explore 1000, the best bike-touring GPS device on the market. This is a Backroads exclusive, and it's included with your bike on our Seine River trips. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. Call or email us to reserve your date.
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Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
