Once you set foot on the ground here, your primary focus should be on touring Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. While originally constructed in the early 12th century by Louis VI, the oldest part of the current château is the Gothic chapel, dating to the 13th century. Don’t miss the rose window that adorns the west wall of the chapel. The remainder of the original structure was burned in the 14th century. The current building was reconstructed in the 16th century but has been extensively renovated since.

Housed within the château is the Musée d’Archéologie Nationale translated National Archaeological Museum. Founded in 1867 by Napoleon III, the museum contains many of archaeological treasure dating from prehistoric time through the 10th century. You won’t likely find a larger collection of prehistoric art anywhere else in the world.

Be sure to wander over to the 1.5 mile long terrace that overlooks the Seine River. The terrace was built in the mid 17th century and offers spectacular views of the river and of Paris off in the distance. Behind the château you will find the National Forest of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. There is a park here where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors.

If you have interest you may also choose to visit the Claude Debussy Museum which is located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Debussy was a famous french composer in the impressionist movement. He was born in here in 1862.

Once done in this wonderful place your next cruise stop will likely be Paris if you are heading up river. If you are heading down river you have many sights to see. Your journey on the Seine has just barely begun.

Photo Credit: Mr. Bidou

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But what you might definitely want to check out is a place called Le Havre. This is a city in Northwest France, and is situated in such a way that it sort of overlooks the mouth of the Seine River where it empties into the Bay of Seine in the English Channel. What is so important about this place? Well, this place saw action from one of the biggest military operations in the history of the world… the D-Day invasion. While many historic buildings in this city were lost in World War II due to bombing runs, the city was rebuilt to more modern specifications by Auguste Perret.

The city has actually been the site for multiple different military operations throughout history. During World War II, 5,000 people were killed in this town, and 12,000 homes were destroyed, mostly as a result of British bombing runs. While there is a lot of turmoil in the history of this proud community, it is nonetheless and amazing place to tread foot on. The local museums and old buildings in the region really make history come alive, especially if you are really into history. No Seine tour should take place without planning a stop at this fantastic site, so make sure that your itinerary lists Le Havre as a planned stop.

The Seine offer a lot of possibilities to anyone who is planning to go on one. The history is amazing, the heritage is awe-inspiring, and the sights are absolutely breathtaking. So make sure that you take up your next vacation break with a Seine River tour through the North of France’s amazing waterways. You will not regret it, and chances are good that you will be back next year, and the year after that.

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AMA Waterways has added a second new ship this year, the MS Amadolce. It’s recent premiere in Germany was a big hit. The christening in Austria was a celebration of music and local entertainment. This ship is a welcome addition to the AMA Waterways fleet.

Lastly, Viking River Cruises launches a new ship on July 2. The Viking Legend is equipped with a new hybrid diesel-electric engine. Not only is it very quiet but it also saves 20% in fuel costs. In addition to the Danube this ship will also cruise the Main and Rhine Rivers.

Photo via UniWorld

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But some Rhine tours feature only certain aspects of the wealth of sights to see along the river. for example a tour of castles is the perfect example of this. Some Rhine cruises feature only castles. But don’t let this deter you… if you enjoy history, are into castles, or simply enjoy old, old buildings that have been preserved the way they were hundreds of years ago, this tour might be for you. There are more castles to see along the Rhine River than almost anywhere else in the world, and seeing them will excite, delight, and enthrall any history buff or castle lover.

A cruise on the Rhine will offer you views of several notable castles. First off, you could visit Breisach in Germany. And next, you could stretch your legs while exploring the French city of Stasbourg, exactly the way it has been for centuries. See the tell-tale signs of significant times in history as you see everything there is to see in this very historical section of the Rhine River.

You can also visit Rudesheim, Germany. Experience a unique, unforgettable wine tasting that you will absolutely flip over. Most of these Rhine River cruises offer tours in which you wear a state of the art headset as well, which will allow the guide to tell you everything there is to know about the castle without you missing a single word. There is much to be seen on a cruise along the Rhine, and you will not be disappointed. So check out the castles that have served to make the Rhine one of the most historic rivers in history.

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Of course like any tourists the first family (minus the president) visited the Eiffel Tower. Built on Champ de Mars the iconic tower is located beside the Seine River. The views from the water are delightful, which I’m sure the 2 girls enjoyed immensely.

While in Paris the family also spent some time at the cathedral of Notre Dame. The cathedral, which was completed near the end of the 13th century, usually hosts about half a million visitors a year.

On the weekend agenda was a visit to the French president, a unique experience indeed. Later a tour of the Louvre Museum was in order, another Paris must see for any visitor.

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