Mantes-la-Jolie | Cruise Day 3
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Port Spotlight: Mantes-la-Jolie, France
Situated on a broad, graceful bend of the Seine roughly 50 kilometers west of Paris, Mantes-la-Jolie is a town with a long artistic and artisanal history. The name itself is telling — "la Jolie" means "the pretty" — and while the modern outskirts are thoroughly workaday, the historic center holds some genuine surprises, including one of the finest Gothic churches in the Ile-de-France region.
At a Glance for Cruisers
The Main Attraction: Collegiale Notre-Dame de Mantes. This 12th-century Gothic church was a direct influence on the architects of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Its three-nave interior, a well-preserved rose window, and a remarkable flying buttress system make it one of the most significant medieval religious buildings in the greater Paris region — and far less crowded than anything in the capital.
The Unique Excursion: A Local Bee Farm. One of the more unusual stops on this itinerary, a working bee farm in the Mantes area offers a close-up look at traditional Norman apiculture. Local honey varieties, the mechanics of the hive, and a tasting component make this a memorable hour for curious travelers of all ages.
The Day Trip: Chateau d'Anet. About 30 kilometers south of Mantes, the Chateau d'Anet is one of the finest examples of French Renaissance architecture in existence. It was built in the 1540s by the royal architect Philibert de l'Orme for Diane de Poitiers, the influential mistress of King Henri II. The entrance portal is a masterpiece of 16th-century sculptural design — only a fraction of the original chateau survives, but what remains is extraordinary.
Cruiser Tip: The afternoon sailing from Mantes toward La Roche-Guyon is one of the most scenic passages of the entire cruise. The river narrows and the chalky limestone cliffs begin to rise on either side. Find a spot on deck before dinner — it is worth the fresh air.
A Quick History
Mantes-la-Jolie has been a strategically important river crossing since Roman times. In 1087, William the Conqueror was fatally injured here when his horse stumbled during a military raid on the town, and he died from his wounds shortly afterward in Normandy. The town's medieval prosperity was built on its position as a toll-crossing point on the Seine and on a thriving craft industry producing musical instruments and decorative goods. During World War II, its bridge over the Seine was a key military objective and was destroyed in 1944, leaving scars on the riverbanks that the town spent decades recovering from.
Port Info
Schedule
Start Time
Aug 16 12:00AM CEST