My Experience with Croisi Europe on the River Seine!

This week I was fortunate enough to be invited on-board Croisi Europe ship MS Renoir.

Sailing from Paris to Honfleur with historical stops including Les Andelys and Rouen along the way.

MS Renoir has undergone a full refurbishment earlier this year, and she is in excellent condition. The decor is bright, modern, contemporary along with all the ‘in’ colors.

Croisi Europe was brilliant and the staff were friendly. All the cabins are either ocean view or with a Juliet balcony. The size of cabins are great and all feature a retractable TV from the ceiling. The meals on-board are buffet in the morning and sometimes lunch, but evening meals are always waiter service. It is a set menu on-board but for anybody with dietary needs they will accommodate. I would say this is not a trip for someone who is disabled or is confined to a wheelchair.

Our first night on-board included a surprise sailing to see ‘Paris by Night’. Experiencing the amazing Eiffel Tower at night is a joy to behold. See the below view from our ship.

Day 2 and we arrive in the charming village of Les Andelys. Famous for the castle on the hill, otherwise know as Château-Gaillard. King of England Richard the Lionheart who simultaneously was Duke of Normandy, began construction around 1196, and in a rush, managed to construct Château-Gaillard in only 2 years. However that was short lived as after a lengthy siege in 1204 King of France, Philip II, captured Château Gaillard.

If you ever get chance to visit and listen to the amazing story of ‘The Siege of Château Gaillard’ then its a must do. We had a walking tour guide who brought this amazing history behind this fascinating village to life.

Day 3 and today we are in Honfleur. The town of Honfleur is located at the top of the River Seine where it meets the English channel.

Famous for the painting by Claude Monet, it is especially known for its old, beautiful picturesque port.

We got to visit Saint-Catherine’s Church, the church is dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria as evidenced by a wooden sculpture above the porch of the bell tower.

Honfleur is located approximately 30 minutes from Le Havre where many cruise ships dock today. Making it a great alternative to Paris which is a lot further away.

Day 4 and we stop in Rouen, the capital of Normandy. Rouen is bigger, more shops, bars, restaurants and were locals would travel to shop instead of making a longer journey to Paris.

Rouen is steeped in history. Including the inspiring Joan of Arc, who was burned at the stake in Rouen on May 30, 1431.  I found her life story fascinating from her background, life, the capture, trial and consequence re-trial, to the wrongly execution in Rouen. Again I had a brilliant walking tour guide of Rouen, and we went to see the place Joan of Arc was ‘burned at the stake’.

This stained glass is a story of a young man who had a premonition and bad dreams of killing his parents. As the feelings would not go away this terrified him so much that he left the family home, moved far away and married. One day (as like many others) his parents came to stay with him, but on this occasion he was away working. So as a nice gesture from his wife, she gave up there bedroom and she slept that evening in the spare room. However he later returned late into the evening to find two people in his bed, thinking his wife was in bed with another man he killed both of them, only to find it was in fact his parents he has just murdered.

Day 5 and our trip on the Seine has come to an end in Paris. All in, it was an excellent, historical adventure.

I would recommend this trip to anyone, it’s relaxing atmosphere on-board, the excellent dining, the ports of call and the amazing history lesson at each stop.

For more on River Cruises click HERE and to book call me on 0800 408 6182.