European Cities & Scenic Rivers

Originally occupied in the 9th century by the Vikings, the charming town of Honfleur has attracted artists for many years, with masterpieces housed in its museums and art galleries. Under the guidance of Eugène Boudin, a young Claude Monet and his friend Alfred Sisley began studying light effects and painting landscapes outdoors, rather than from memory, trailblazing for artists of the future.

Main port town of the Channel Islands, St. Peter Port is picturesque and historic, and has much evidence of Georgian and Regency architecture, heavily influenced by the French. Occupied by the Germans during World War II, it is surprising that so many of the town’s historic fortifications still stand today; 800 year old Castle Cornet is one such building that has seen many conflicts and holds many artefacts from over the centuries.

Nestled in the heart of the Bordeaux wine region, Pauillac is a charming gem renowned for its exceptional wines. From here, you can join tours from your ship to explore the beautiful city of Bordeaux, but as you stroll through the town during the summer, you’ll find local cafés offering regional specialities like Canelé, a delicious cake with a rich, custardy filling, wrapped in a caramelised shell, or meat dishes accompanied by bordelaise sauce and complemented with a fine Médoc wine. Pauillac is also home to some of the most prestigious châteaux and wine estates in the world, including the legendary Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château Latour, offering you a glimpse into the rich history and tradition of winemaking in the Bordeaux region.

Long known as a centre of strategic maritime importance due to its location in the Normandy region of France, Cherbourg's focal point is its historic harbour, transformed by Napoleon into a major port in the 1800's. This blend of maritime history and cultural attractions make the city and surrounding are fascinating to explore, with beautiful beaches and cliffs, and the D-Day landing sites close by. The streets are a delight to wander through, with the old town renowned for colourful umbrellas suspended between buildings; and small restaurants offering typical Normandy cuisines such as fish soup and the famous "tartiflette au Camembert". The Cité de la Mer is a maritime museum housed in the old Transatlantic Railway Station, featuring exhibits on underwater exploration and oceanography; while the fortifications of La Redoute des Capucins offer panoramic views of the city and harbour.

The beautiful city of Rouen – known as the ‘City of a Hundred Bells’ is a hugely significant and historical destination, particularly prominent in both the Roman times and Middle Ages. Home to the imposing Cathédrale Notre-Dame, painted by Claude Monet, who grew up in Normandy; Rouen is also gateway to the French capital of Paris and its plethora of well-known cultural sights.

Flowing through the lush-green countryside of Normandy's Parc naturel régional des Boucles de la Seine, the route Fred. Olsen's smaller ships sail along the River Seine - connecting the historic cities of Honfleur and Rouen - presents guests with simply unforgettable views to enjoy in comfort on board. Simply sit back, relax and take in scenes of rolling valleys, floral fields and charming communes dotted with historic churches and traditional houses that have inspired many famous artists over the years, including Claude Monet and Henri Matisse. 

Located in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands, the Western Scheldt River is an estuary of the Scheldt River, and is the only direct way to the North Sea.  An important shipping route for the port of Antwerp, the Western Scheldt River is formed in the east where the Schelde River enters the Netherlands from Belgium. An interesting cruising route, there are no bridges across the river, only a tunnel running from Ellewoutsdijk to Terneuzen, or foot ferries.

The medieval city of Antwerp has much to offer with magnificent monuments and narrow streets to explore, and lovers of art and diamonds, with over 80% of the world’s rough diamonds passing through the diamond district, thus cementing its place as the international centre of the diamond industry. Antwerp is also famous for its Belgian chocolate, which, and over time, has been refined from a tonic used by pharmacists into the deliciously smooth praline sold in the many quaint chocolate shops in the city.