Slow Travel onthe Seine

Slow Travel onthe Seine Paristo NormandyHonfleurI’m hooked on CroisiEurope cruises in France.You stop at a different port every day, andthis French family-run firm knows just how toshare the very best with you. They take in themost historic places but also the hidden gemsand authentic sites that visitors from outsideof France rarely get to know about. You’respoiled with gourmet French cuisine and asuperb French wine list – with a side order ofjoie de vivre. CroisiEurope operates on riversand canals all over France and even sails fromNice to stop off at historic ports all around theisland of Corsica. The barges and boats arebespoke, designed for the canals and rivers ofFrance, not huge and crowded, and all staffspeak English and French (and frequentlymore languages). They’ll always offer Englishspeakers the chance to sit together at meals– and it’s surprising how quickly you can makefriends, making this an excellent option forsolo travellers like me.One of my favourite cruises takes in two giantsof France – Paris and Normandy. Choose froma 5-day to 7-day cruise offering a variety ofvisits, including Versailles or Monet’s garden,explore the ancient, cobbled streets of Rouenand impressionist painters favourite, lovelyHonfleur, and places such as Étretat andhistoric les Andelys. It’s a great way to see alot in a short time, to visit the most fabulousparts of France, to be fed like lords, and torelax and take in the gorgeous scenery alongthe Seine.On board my cruise from Paris to Honfleurand back, there were Brits, Americans, andCanadians, plus Swiss, Spanish, Belgian,Canadians, and, of course, French. TheyFrance is so diverse in its culture, history, heritage, gastronomy, and landscape thatit would take a lifetime to experience it all. But Janine Marsh says there is a way tosee a lot of France in a slow and relaxing way in just a few days.38 | The Good Life FranceThe Good Life France | 39