With Paris as its highlight, the Seine is made for romantics who seek the serene pleasures of river cruising with the in-depth exploration of the country that this – France’s second-largest river – provides. An inspiration for French impressionism, a setting for world wars and a boon for history lovers, the river is also replete with opportunities to indulge in the country’s fine wine and cuisine.

Extending for more than 480 miles, the Seine originates in wine-producing Burgundy near Dijon and meanders its way lazily through Paris and Normandy to Le Havre, where it joins the English Channel.

My personal highlights on a Seine river cruise include Paris (obvious), the clifftop village of Les Andelys, two-thousand-year-old Rouen, the lovely coastal town of Honfleur, and solemn visits to the Normandy beaches.