The Eiffel Tower, the way of life or the art? You could argue for hours about what it is that makes Paris so special. But one thing everyone agrees on is that Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. And when seen from the water, it’s even more beautiful. The banks of the Seine, the river’s many bridges and all the little stories about them are incredibly romantic. The Seine seems to have adopted the Parisians’ laissez-faire attitude to life as it gently flows towards Normandy. The landscape here – which was named after the “men of the North”, the Vikings, who landed here around 1,200 years ago – is extremely pretty. Blossoming meadows and dense forests guide the river towards Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. The many artefacts documenting the 2,000-year history of this city are highly interesting. It’s easy to see why Normandy has been depicted in so many works of art. You too will reach for your camera more often than usual, regardless of whether you visit Claude Monet’s magical garden or the gorgeous Château Bizy, also known as “Little Versailles”. And everywhere you go, you’re tempted by culinary delights. In France, cheese is revered. Sample as much of it as you can, and find out why.