It seems that the Seine is a waterway for warriors, from Joan of Arc and Richard the Lionheart to the elusive Private Ryan. Of all the European river cruises, the Paris to Normandy stretch spoke to me most of romance and chivalry, which was something I was longing for after an uneventful summer in Cardiff. I thus embarked, taking a pile of tragically romantic history novels based in the area (of which there are many) and joined the impressive River Baroness at Paris.
Our first stop was the castle capped Les Andelys, which appears in the distance like a scene out of legend. Gazing from the ramparts of Chateau-Gaillard across the Seine's meandering path I was transported to an earlier time. Richard the Lionheart impressively constructed the castle in a year to keep a close eye over his sprawling domain in France.
It's now hard to believe that the Normandy Beaches were the hub of the D Day Landings, peaceful and picturesque as they are, but monuments and museums remained at Arromanches and Omaha, which were the key allied landing sites during WWII. The river cruise included insightful visits to the main beaches of Normandy, with plenty of time to wander and soak up the atmosphere. The Bayeux Tapestry Museum harks back to an earlier battle; an incredible masterpiece of bygone times which captures the imagination in every detailed scene.
Candy striped, half-timber houses line the streets of Rouen like gingerbread grottos, bending beams and leaning walls denoting the quirky character of this town. The Middle Age architecture is so well preserved that it's easy to imagine the ancient footsteps which walked these streets, including Joan of Arc's as she took her last journey in 1431. This is the place where she was burnt at the stake, in the café lined square of Vieux Marche at the heart of the city.
Smugglers, sea food suppers and sailing ships. Honfleur is a delightful harbour town which was and continues to be a popular haunt for creatives and artists. The views painted by Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet are still very much visible. Scenes of fishing boats and narrow houses appear unchanged from the smugglers cove of Vieux Bassin.
Inspired by the artistry of Honfleur, I was delighted by the next port of call; a visit to Monet's home in the idyllic village of Giverny. The light and colour of this area are beautifully unique, and it's easy to see why Monet's artistic eye was so long captivated. Monet's house is full of delightful kitsch and curio; his garden of course the most famous aspect, still lovingly planted with the lilies and willows of his most well-known painting.
Paris was the perfect way to end a thoroughly romantic trip, with a city walking tour taking in all the iconic sights. I even engaged in my own act of bravery by climbing to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It was well worth it to gaze out on the incredible cityscape and all its famous monuments below.
