A short drive from Giverny is Vernon, a medieval city that was created in the tenth century by the first Duke of Normandy, Rollon. Vernon continued playing an important role throughout the history of Normandy for many centuries and is located in the Seine Valley. Not surprising, both the town and the river were frequent subjects for the paintings of Claude Monet and Pierre Bonnard.

Two hours south of Paris, and eighteen miles east of the town of Auxerre in the Yonne, the 1,000 year old red brick St Fargeau château, one of the biggest châteaux in France, contrasts sharply with the deep greens of the surrounding forest. It was while renovating the run down castle, that owner, Michel Guyot, found remnants of even older stone walls beneath the brick.

I had the recent pleasure of being on my first “chase,” which is to take a car trip for a designated number of days with the goal of discovering as much as possible. This chase was going to focus on discovering châteaux and everything medieval. So off we headed to the Loire Valley.

River cruise ships ply the great waterways of Europe --- from the Rhine in Amsterdam to the Main in Germany, the Seine from Paris to Normandy, the Saone in south of France, the Po in Italy, the Danube in Austria and points east. These cruises cater to a wide variety of preferences and budgets.

The French Riviera or Côte d'Azur, literally azure coast, takes on a quiet certitude in winter of its iconic place among world destinations. Sofia Mannos gives us a glimpse of the port village of Saint-Tropez just before the curtain goes up on the season and the beautiful people who go there.

I have a secret…I’m addicted --- to river cruising.  When I’m not on a river cruise exploring Europe’s medieval cities, I’m planning my next one. Here’s what you need to know about a river cruise: You dock in towns inaccessible to bigger ships, you are close-enough to shore that you can watch local life unfold and see, from your cabin or lounge, the houses, forests, and castles that nudge the shore, and experience the culture firsthand.

The town’s three gothic cathedrals reflect impressively above the beautiful Yonne river; you aren’t dreaming, you are in Burgundy. A little over an hour and a half from the Bercy Station, those looking for of a day trip or weekend excursion by train to “real France” won’t be disappointed.

I fell in love with France in 1967 when I was just 21 years old. My best friend and I backpacked through Europe, tattered Eurail passes guaranteeing our transportation: a rite of passage for many Canadians in those days.

I remember this particular area of Paris as though it was once home. In fact, the first article I ever wrote was about something in this area. I just could not help but to adore it and still do. You will too.