Recently I travelled along the Seine on board Riviera’s elegant Jane Austen, and it was the perfect blend of comfort, scenery and relaxed luxury. After an easy Eurostar journey from London St Pancras to Paris, I stepped on board, unpacked once and let the river do the rest.

With just 148 passengers, the ship feels intimate and friendly, with warm, attentive service and plenty of space to relax. Food is a real highlight: generous breakfasts, relaxed buffet and à la carte lunches, and beautifully presented dinners, plus extras such as high tea and cooking demonstrations. With a drinks package included from 10 am until midnight, you are very well looked after.

Our itinerary gave a wonderful snapshot of Normandy. We wandered the pretty streets of Vernon, visited hilltop Château Gaillard and enjoyed tastings at a traditional cider farm. In Rouen we explored Gothic architecture, timber‑framed houses and the historic square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. A day on the D‑Day landing beaches was deeply moving, taking in Ranville cemetery, Pegasus Bridge, Juno Beach, Arromanches and the Normandy Memorial.

We also visited the picturesque harbour town of Honfleur, alive with market stalls, cafés and cobbled streets, and the peaceful village of Giverny, where Monet’s house and gardens felt like stepping into one of his paintings. The cruise ended back in Paris, with a full day to stroll the boulevards, linger in cafés and enjoy the city at your own pace before one final night on board.

What I loved most was the ease of it all: waking up each morning to a new view, yet never having to repack. It is a genuinely relaxing way to see this beautiful region.

If you would like to experience a Seine river cruise for yourself, I would be delighted to help you choose the right itinerary and sailing to suit you. Contact me to start planning your own river adventure.