Review: A Fascinating River Cruise Through Normandy

Few, however, require such little real input than a cruise, where the joy comes with everything being organised, ship shape and Bristol fashion for you.

The Viking fleet are multifarious in their makeup, and each of their cruises has a very different focus. You can take to the oceans, lakes or the rivers, as we did – in this instance the iconic River Seine. But be left in no doubt that this is a slick operation wherever in the world you choose to jump aboard.

As we soon discover, France’s capital waterway, contrary to initial perceptions, offers far more than just the city of Paris through which it flows. The journey north to Normandy is as rich and as fulfilling as you could imagine, with Paris just one single cherry upon a sumptuous French gateau. While we had considered the allure of Portugal's Douro and the delights of the Danube (not to mention the mighty Mississippi and the magic of the Mekong) we wanted to stay closer to home, and while that was true in geographic terms, the variety of our Seine river cruise made for a memorable escape.

Sitting back with a glass of wine, and a beer, we took in the scene; some British, lots of Americans, and a sprinkling of other nationalities made up our fellow passengers. In the background a pianist played familiar tunes, he was good and much to our amusement and delight, we discovered he was a fellow Geordie – from Bedlington. Talk about a small world.

With the necessary safety drills behind us the next chat was an introduction to the main team who were to look after us. The Viking longships are certainly top notch, but the company's biggest asset is its people. They combine a cocktail of knowledge, genuine interest and a willingness to please, always accompanied by a light touch and levity. If you could bottle it and send it to HR departments across the globe, the world would be a happier and much more efficient place.

With the introductions over, another evening ritual began with Chef Jozsef’s recommendations for dinner ahead. Food and drink are a key part of Viking cruises and the common thread of local delicacies permeate each menu. Stand outs from many during the voyage included a sumptuous Poached Norwegian Salmon, Escargots à la Bourguignonne and the Marmite Dieppoise (a Normandy fish and seafood stew) and the local French cheeses. Wines are all carefully selected, and the handy Sommelier's recommendations made each day, alongside the changing menus, were very helpful.

Dining is a social affair. Tables mix and strangers sit alongside each other, some becoming friends for the trip (and beyond). The first night we sat with two Brits we'd spotted in the bar, (he was a slightly grumpy sort and she a delight), who became firm friends for our entire trip. I've rarely laughed so much, and definitely never with a man from Wigan!

With a spare morning in Paris before the ship sailed we strolled along the river and made it to the second floor of the Eiffel Tower before wimping out at the idea of going even higher. Post the Olympics there were still many signs of the summer’s games everywhere which were easily spotted from on high, alongside the city’s famous landmarks.

Down on ground level we crossed the Seine and headed back towards the Viking Skaga, but not before stopping at a classic pavement café for a coffee, sitting in the sunshine and watching the world go by in true Parisian style.

The landscape changes and we sail through steep sided valleys of chalk cliffs and dense woodland which rise high above the ship to our next stop, Les Andelys, a small town dominated by Chateau Gaillard, a 12th-century castle built by Richard the Lionheart to defend Rouen from the French. The ruins are definitely worth exploring, if just for the most spectacular view from the cliff top.

From there, it’s on to Rouen, the capital of French Normandy. It’s a beautiful city that dates from Roman times with Medieval half-timbered houses still lining the pretty cobbled streets, but it's the mighty Gothic cathedral, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, that, literally, stands out. Made more famous by the series of paintings that Claude Monet dedicated to it. Rouen is also the place of Joan of Arc's final hours. Tried and burned at the stake here in 1431, she is still very much part of the town’s history.

The ship can’t travel further north, but from Rouen various different trips are available, most notably to the D-Day beaches of Normandy. A coach takes you to those famous names from history, the beaches of Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword which witnessed bravery the like of which history has rarely recorded, and each one is as moving as you would imagine. Fascinating archived news reels and films in the nearby museums recording the many heroic feats, successes and losses brought home just a little of what transpired before, and after D-Day. At the British cemetery at Ranville the losses become all the clearer. One grave amongst the many stood out – for a young man and his beloved dog, who died together, shot down whilst parachuting from a plane on an airborne mission, and buried together in a single grave. Ending on one of the great achievements of the war, before turning back to Rouen we headed to Pegasus Bridge. Read the story if you don’t know it… it's truly remarkable.

Back on board, the ship turns south and heads back towards Paris and our final stop; Giverny and Monet's house and garden. Even shrouded in cloud the colours of Monet's natural masterpiece, from which he drew so much inspiration for his work, were stunning. Walking across the iconic bridge over the water lily pond and through his gardens bursting with colour was an enchanting experience, just like being in a painting.

All too soon we are back in Paris, but we have one more night aboard before disembarking so we opt for a night cruise to see 'the city of light' at night, and we’re so glad we did. The many splendid buildings, now dressed in their evening attire, are stunning as bright floodlights illuminate their historic grandeur in total contrast to the now black, and rather brooding river beneath. The Louvre, The Musée D'Orsay, Notre Dame and the Grand Palais all take their turn to dazzle, the finalé fittingly the Eiffel Tower, providing a late night light show to demonstrate her position as the city’s 'leading lady’.