Rouen Tours on Journey

[paul bernard]

We're booked on the Journey TA from N.Y. to Rouen 1n Apri 2112. I see that there is a full day in Rouen before debarkation. Can anyone tell us a) does the ship actually go upriver to Rouen or does it dock in Le Havre and b) will there be an Azamara tour to Bayeux for the tapestries? I imagine there will be a Paris tour on offer but I don't see much point in travelling seven or eight hours round trip to get maybe four hours in Paris. Thanks. Paul & Nancy.

[tgg]

We're booked on the Journey TA from N.Y. to Rouen 1n Apri 2112. I see that there is a full day in Rouen before debarkation. Can anyone tell us a) does the ship actually go upriver to Rouen or does it dock in Le Havre and b) will there be an Azamara tour to Bayeux for the tapestries? I imagine there will be a Paris tour on offer but I don't see much point in travelling seven or eight hours round trip to get maybe four hours in Paris. Thanks. Paul & Nancy.

 

Yes, the ship docks in Rouen. Paris is a bit more than an hour away by train.

[suetrue99]

Hello Paul

Attempting Paris in a day even with a fast train connection is ambitious. Doable? Yes, with proper planning... accounting for the elapsed time to station and boarding/contingency/getting around to where you plan to go in Paris/ getting back/ etc, can be daunting even if you know the City and country.

 

Much better to incorporate a few days pre/post your cruise if that is possible.

 

Bayeux is a similar distance from Rouen as Paris. On my visits to Rouen I have not noticed independent trips to Bayeux organised locally.

 

Rouen is a very good destination in itself, well organised and welcoming to visitors (HoHo bus etc). A real taste of authentic France with plenty to do and without the hype of other hotspots in France. The architecture particularly Rouen cathedral is special, among the finest in Europe and well worth a visit. Vineyard trips while OK, are bettered by a visit to a local wine merchant(there are lots in all the local streets). The owner will be pleased to take you through their offering with tastings of each imparting knowledge as you sip.... I certainly learned (and Tasted) more than my trips to vineyards.

 

The public sculptors adorning the river banks add much to the Rouen experience. The most moving experience is a visit to the War Graves on the south side of the River a short taxi ride away from the ship berths. The scale of the cemetery and the visual impact of the crosses is quite emotional, and I found very uplifting. It may be worth considering.

 

Whatever you decide ..Bon Voyage.

[travelinjudy]

Hello Paul

Attempting Paris in a day even with a fast train connection is ambitious. Doable? Yes, with proper planning... accounting for the elapsed time to station and boarding/contingency/getting around to where you plan to go in Paris/ getting back/ etc, can be daunting even if you know the City and country.

 

Much better to incorporate a few days pre/post your cruise if that is possible.

 

Bayeux is a similar distance from Rouen as Paris. On my visits to Rouen I have not noticed independent trips to Bayeux organised locally.

 

Rouen is a very good destination in itself, well organised and welcoming to visitors (HoHo bus etc). A real taste of authentic France with plenty to do and without the hype of other hotspots in France. The architecture particularly Rouen cathedral is special, among the finest in Europe and well worth a visit. Vineyard trips while OK, are bettered by a visit to a local wine merchant(there are lots in all the local streets). The owner will be pleased to take you through their offering with tastings of each imparting knowledge as you sip.... I certainly learned (and Tasted) more than my trips to vineyards.

 

The public sculptors adorning the river banks add much to the Rouen experience. The most moving experience is a visit to the War Graves on the south side of the River a short taxi ride away from the ship berths. The scale of the cemetery and the visual impact of the crosses is quite emotional, and I found very uplifting. It may be worth considering.

 

Whatever you decide ..Bon Voyage.

Hi Sue,

We, too are on the Journey, ending up in Rouen. We are planning to stay overnight there, before going on to Paris. Do you have any recommendations for a hotel there? Would appreciate it if you know of any. Thanks in advance.

[travelinjudy]

We're booked on the Journey TA from N.Y. to Rouen 1n Apri 2112. I see that there is a full day in Rouen before debarkation. Can anyone tell us a) does the ship actually go upriver to Rouen or does it dock in Le Havre and b) will there be an Azamara tour to Bayeux for the tapestries? I imagine there will be a Paris tour on offer but I don't see much point in travelling seven or eight hours round trip to get maybe four hours in Paris. Thanks. Paul & Nancy.

 

 

Hi Paul & Nancy,

I've added your names to our roll call list.

[suetrue99]

Hi Judy

I hope this isn't advertising and....

Its been a little while but for a treat try the luxury Bourgtheroulde Or the quite acceptable Mercure Centre Cathedrale. Both are in good locations, and will maximise your free time in the city.

 

Sue

[palamoh]

Sheila and I will be on this cruise as well, I want to thank suetrue99 for her info on the local area. We have always wanted to see the Normany Beaches and cemetery where our Countries finest are at rest Believe we Dock at 10:00 AM in Rouen, wonder if an afternnon alone is condusive to taking most of Normany in?

 

"Mitch":rolleyes:

[suetrue99]

Hello Mitch & Sheila

Tours to Normandy are well established and draw large numbers. The D day landings are situated a fair way away from Rouen, and four hours is maybe too little time to really make it worthwhile. That is unless you take a chopper. There are companies specialising in helicopter flyovers with English speaking guides. I know that they fly from Paris. French Adventures is just one of these and they organise private charters with a set number of hours at the coast. A small group 4-6 persons could make a good experience. I do not know if they pick up in Rouen But they do so at Caen. Maybe they would be happy to personalise a tour. But that is the only way to make a short time window to work for you. It may also be possible to take in Bayeux as the location is closer to the Landings.

 

Sue

[travelinjudy]

Hi Judy

I hope this isn't advertising and....

Its been a little while but for a treat try the luxury Bourgtheroulde Or the quite acceptable Mercure Centre Cathedrale. Both are in good locations, and will maximise your free time in the city.

 

Sue

Thanks for your help, and the other info, Sue.

[Diane Rose]

I am considering booking this Transatlantic voyage and have tried to find a link on the Azamara website as to the shore excursions that will be offered in Rouen. Can anyone help?

 

Diane

[Diane Rose]

One more question on Rouen that I am hoping to get an answer on. Based on the itinerary that I have the Journey docks in Rouen at 10AM. Does anyone know what time the ship would have to enter the river to dock in Rouen at this time?

 

Diane

[paul bernard]

Thank you for the information Suetrue99. I'm aware of the delights that Rouen offers and certainly propose to take full advantage of them. But Nancy has never seen the Bayeux tapestry, which by my lights is one of the true Wonders of the World and I would very much like to show it to her. If you or anyone else happens to hear of a tour going there I'd much appreciate a heads up. Or, perhaps, if we could find two like minded couples, we'd consider renting a van for the day. Split three ways, this should not be prohibitively expensive. Regards, Paul

[Redtravel]

Rouen is an hour train ride to Paris. I've done it. Gare St. Lazarre is located close to the Opera and Place Madeliane....both great locations in Paris. The station is easy access to the Metro. Also, in Rouen be sure to walk around. Many nice shops and restaurants. The church near the stake of Joan d"arc is a must. The church that Monet painted is also interesting. There is a tram ride to take or just get out and walk. Normandy has lots of wonderful places to see...the beaches...Omaha and Utah, battlefields, war museums...American museum is outstanding,The cemeteries...american is intersting...german is also worth seeing, tapestry museum at Bayeaux, Caen museum, le Harve, etc. I did a 3 day tour of Normandy including Mont St. Michel and Givenchy. So much to do. Have fun.

[paul bernard]

Hi, Travelinjudy, sorry for not answering sooner, we're just back from a TA on Constellation and recovering from its endemic virus. We've not stayed there ourselves, but by all accounts the Hotel du Vieux Marche in Rouen is very centrally located, quiet and generally agreeable. Regards, Paul

[tgg]

Hi, Travelinjudy, sorry for not answering sooner, we're just back from a TA on Constellation and recovering from its endemic virus.

 

Paul, we're sailing on the Constellation at the end of this month. Can you tell me more about the "endemic virus." Are people quarantined? Endemic to me implies that people on every sailing are being infected. True? Do you have any sense of how widespread the infections are? I got sick on the Journey on our last sailing in June and would hate to be sick again. This really worries me. Toni

[paul bernard]

Hi Connie: I do know that on the last three Constellation voyages there were norovirus outbreaks. On our TA anyone reporting symptoms to the medical staff was confined to his/her cabin for at least 24 hours. The library remained close during the whole voyage. Crew members with bottles of hand disinfectant were stationed at nearly all the doors and in the buffets all food, including beverages, was served by crew members, which led to lines forming at peak times. At one point the captain announced that the battle was being won, but I suppose that this remains to be seen. Paul

[tgg]

Hi Connie: I do know that on the last three Constellation voyages there were norovirus outbreaks. On our TA anyone reporting symptoms to the medical staff was confined to his/her cabin for at least 24 hours. The library remained close during the whole voyage. Crew members with bottles of hand disinfectant were stationed at nearly all the doors and in the buffets all food, including beverages, was served by crew members, which led to lines forming at peak times. At one point the captain announced that the battle was being won, but I suppose that this remains to be seen. Paul

 

Thanks for your quick response.

[travelinjudy]

Hi, Travelinjudy, sorry for not answering sooner, we're just back from a TA on Constellation and recovering from its endemic virus. We've not stayed there ourselves, but by all accounts the Hotel du Vieux Marche in Rouen is very centrally located, quiet and generally agreeable. Regards, Paul

 

Thanks for your response, Paul. Hope you are over the virus. It's awful to catch something on the ship! I picked up gastroenteritis at the end of a cruise last year, so I know how that goes!:(