French Atlantic Ports of Call

Rouen the capital of Normandy, between Paris and the Atlantic.

Standing on the River Seine with its majestic cathedral dominating the skyline; this medieval city with its picturesque pedestrian streets, where once the likes of Rollon the Viking, Richard the Lionheart and Joan of Arc walked, bustle with exceptional crafts, antique shops, exclusive boutiques and luxury stores. A first-class world cultural capital embedded in history and true French “Art de Vivre” where the old meets the new and history keeps on writing itself.

Rouen has a privileged geographical situation and a few hours sailing away from key neighbouring cruise ports such as London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Lisbon, has become one of the first destinations on the Channel-Atlantic stretch, providing for a safe and secure welcome and make for an ideal starting point to all the principal tourist destinations for the entire North-West of France.

A six hour cruise down the Seine’s numerous windings from the mouth of the Seine River to Rouen, brings to light the exceptional radiance of the Seine Valley and sets the backdrop to an unforgettable journey. Cruise ships up to 270 meters long can berth under the best possible conditions in the heart of the city offering passengers more time to visit this historical city and participate in organised tours and activities offered by the Tourist Office and its region. May it be a walking tour of the city with an official guide, visiting the Fine Arts Museum only second after Museum d’Orsay in Paris for its Impressionist collection. Admire the gothic facade of the Cathedral or visiting the studio where Claude Monet painted his famous Cathedral series, where they too can discover his technique and even create their own masterpiece.

Additionally, Rouen has easy and fast access to Paris and its airports, the Gardens of Claude Monet at Giverny, the charming fisherman’s village of Honfleur, the splendid sandy beaches and casino of Deauville, the UNESCO world heritage site of Mont-Saint-Michel, the Normandy D-Day landing beaches.