Every garden along the River Seine is a masterpiece – and, perhaps, is the star of one too. Because in Normandy and Île-de-France, gardening is an artform, each landscape sculpted, designed and adorned with swathes of magnificent colour. It’s little wonder that they’ve inspired the world’s greatest painters, filling the canvasses of Monet, Pissarro and more. Each time we cruise through this region, we are swept away by the gardens’ beauty and serenity – and the passion and artistry of those who care for them.
From the manicured grounds of Louis XIV’s exquisite Palace of Versailles, to the wild blooms of Le Jardin Plume and the vast scale and symmetry of Jardin des Tuileries, we love how each landscape has its own unique charm. Many of Normandy’s smaller gardens you may never have heard of – but not, we suspect, Giverny. This famous riverside village is the horticultural highlight of cruising the Seine, featuring one of Europe’s most sublime idylls.
Giverny was home to Claude Monet, and many of the painter’s friends considered his gardens to be his greatest masterpiece – as well as his finest muse, the subject of so many acclaimed works. Here you can stroll between sweet-scented borders of roses and tulips to the jardin d’eau, whose wisteria-entwined bridges look out over Monet’s beloved water-lily pond. It’s like stepping into a painting, the dappled sunlight dancing on the delicate pads, each one carefully tended by gardeners in rowing boats.
For gardening enthusiasts, every day on the River Seine brings new inspiration – and we think that cruising is the ideal way to explore. As the boat slips through the calm water, imagine sitting on deck to admire the lush valleys, grand chateaux and charming villages that dot its banks, with countless willow trees’ tendrils swirling in the current. Every moment brings a new breathtaking view, whether from your sunlounger, your restaurant table or your cabin’s private balcony – pure serenity. We feel relaxed just thinking about it!
Most cruises head northwards from Paris to Le Havre, or vice versa: a journey to be savoured over a week or more. One day, you’ll be breathing in the lavender perfume of Gardens d’Acquigny, exploring its butterfly-filled borders and mighty avenues of towering plane trees – which are among the tallest in Europe. The next, you’re headed to Château d'Harcourt, home of France’s oldest arboretum. It was planted almost 200 years ago, and remarkably many of its original trees remain: their giant trunks and canopies make this a spectacular spot for walks and picnics. And with a choice of excursions every day, you can keep things spontaneous: how about visiting a bee farm in Mantes-la-Jolie to see how honey is made and harvested, or taking a food tour of Rouen, to feast on the region’s finest chocolate, cheese and cider.
Maybe you’re never happier than when your nose is buried in a sweet Gloire de Dijon climbing rose, or when you’re gathering tips and advice for your own patch of Eden? If so, it’s best to seek out a specialist cruise, to enjoy unrivalled – and sometimes exclusive – access to the Seine’s greatest gardens. There may be on-board horticulture experts giving enlightening talks and Q&As every evening, or the itinerary could be timed to visit gardens outside peak hours for a more peaceful experience. It’s this kind of insider knowledge that makes cruise holidays so smooth: you know you’re in safe hands.
While in Paris, you’ll find that the capital’s gardens are just as glorious as those of rural Normandy. We adore the 17th-century grandeur of Jardin du Luxembourg, where you can stroll beneath elegant statues and lustrous palm trees – as well as more unexpected urban idylls such as the rooftop Atlantic Garden and Parc André Citroën, with its emerald lawns and dancing fountains.
Every month, the landscape changes – so whether you’re new to France or have sailed the Seine many times, we find that there’s always something fresh to discover. While spring and summer bring the most fragrant blooms, autumn paints the Loire valley in a riot of rich russet colours, and winter’s frost-nipped beauty (and festive markets) are spectacular. A gardener’s work is, of course, never complete – but perhaps it’s time for a holiday?
Gardeners will love cruising the River Seine with AmaWaterways, whose itineraries are bursting with horticultural highlights: from Giverny to Arboretum d'Harcourt, alongside excursions featuring food, culture and history. Cruise Collective members enjoy 10% off all cruises with AmaWaterways.