The most international of UniLaSalle campuses the Rouen campus is located in the Mont-Saint-Aignan district 15 minutes by bus from the historic centre of Rouen on the banks of the Seine and in the heart of forest estates the Mont-Saint-Aignan offers a high quality living environment It welcomes more than 600 students including 53 international students from 27 nationalities 30 associate prrofessors including 13 internationals 14 training courses including 1 i-SAFE engineering course in agronomy and agro-industry and 2 international masters degree The school belongs to the CESAR (Conférence de l'Enseignement Supérieur de l'Agglomération Rouennaise) network and to the Normandie Tech Association which brings together the 13 engineering schools of the Normandy Region and the Normandy School of Architecture More about CESAR 15 minutes by bus from the historic center of Rouen on the banks of the Seine and in the heart of forested areas including 53 international students from 27 nationalities including 1 engineering course in agronomy and agro-industry (i-SAFE) and 2 international masters degrees The school belongs to the CESAR network - Conference of Higher Education in the Greater Rouen area - and to the Normandie Tech association which includes the 13 engineering schools in the Normandy region and the Normandy School of Architecture More about CESAR Access to the virtual visit BSc + MSc program in Agronomy and Agro-Industry Professional Bachelor's Degree in Animal Nutrition Sales Dedicated service to facilitate your internship search University residences in the immediate vicinity of the school A university restaurant just a few minutes walk away University campus sports facilities accessible to UniLaSalle students The UniLaSalle - Roeun campus documentation centre has a documentary colection of 10,000 books in free access and 5,000 student works With its 45,000 students and its year-round activities A true economic and cultural hub of Normandy Rouen pampers its students through the organization of festive events the Zazimuts offer a rich program of concerts shows and games to discover the city and facilitate meetings between students from higher education institutions which will seduce you with its lively streets and half-timbered facades Where are you right now?I’m in Barcelona right now I’m here for 15 days to finish filming my part for Jart Skateboards Who are your sponsors?I ride for Jart Skateboards I met Torey Pudwill at Tampa Pro this year and he told me “Welcome to the squad!” I was happy he’s a skater I’ve seen skating for a long time in videos and now I met him in real life and ride for his company Krysp Headwear by Carlos Zarazua—we are on the same team now it’s crazy to be on the same team of a guy I’ve seen on video skating in LA It’s just another dream come true [laughs] Where are you originally from?I was born in Mont-Saint-Aignan How often do you make it to the States?I go to the USA every year But I try to travel as much as possible to skate street and some contests Do you think you have to spend more of your time in the States to make skateboarding a career?I would like to be recognized in the world of US skateboarding We went on tour in the United States with Jart Skateboards last year and this year I want to go back and film more for my new part I got a lot of spots that I want to skate there it’s new for me and I like the US style of life [laughs] meet some pro skaters that I used to see in videos when I was a kid… and now I can skate with them they take skateboarding a little more seriously and there’s more opportunity I think because there are a lot of spots and you don’t have to drive two hours to go to one [laughs] I skate everywhere in Europe a lot (both contests and streets) now I want to change and see another landscape and state of mind I would like to go back to the US this year I do contests so I can spend a good weekend with my friends and meet new people I like to skate new parks and try to get some money when I skate good in a contest I really like to skate the best trick contests too that was a crazy trick!” and it makes me happy to hear this And what part of yours are you most proud of?I like a lot of video parts; one of the best and one I have in my mind right now is Koston in Yeah Right I remember seeing it and liking the music and type of video it was I’m also proud of my last two parts and the video we did on tour Photo: Nicolas Jacquemin (click to enlarge) let’s talk about the trick everyone is talking about—that backside tailslide on El Toro. How did that trick come up?The back tail on El Toro… I’m so happy to have done that people from the States will know me a little bit more now I can’t wait for people to see my next part I finally got it and I was so happy to do it and that I didn’t have to try it again I want to do more tricks on it for my next part I did the back tail with a friend’s board because I broke my board on one of the tries I didn’t want to go to the car and be cold—I was just focused to do it “I don’t have to do it anymore,” with relief because I was scared every try I went for it and overcame my fear and I’m so happy for it The day after that back tail you went to Nyjah’s new video part premiere and everybody was already asking you about it I was at Nyjah’s premiere and it was a crazy night and party I really wanted to see his new part when I was there “It’s you—you did the back tail on El Toro!” Felipe Gustavo told me I’m a legend [laughs] I was happy that finally some skaters started to know of me more I hope people like my next part because I really worked hard on it and tried to put it out with the music I like it and tricks I want It’s a lot of tricks I wanted to do I’ll do them in my next part [laughs .] it has been eight years since Ugo disappeared from the radars of world judo We had the chance to discuss it with him and so he explained to us why we should soon hear about him again It must be said that since the announcement of his return to competition the web has been in turmoil and there have been many comments What better way for the central party to explain his mental process "I feel great and I'm bathed in positive vibes; there is a beautiful energy all around me The desire is present and I must say that I am very excited and in a hurry I feel the attention of all the staff around me but I don't want to go too fast I have to find my bearings and that's why the main part of my preparation is physical to find the capacity to compete at the highest level As for the specificities of high-level judo I have to find my balance as a high-level athlete." we can feel him smiling on the phone and he explains to us in detail how three weeks ago he made a life-changing decision "I had completely mourned my high-level career I had absolutely no regrets about retiring after a busy career I reorientated myself professionally and I frequented other circles I continued to follow French and world judo I followed from afar on judoTV and frankly it was great to watch all these young people and my friends from the French team or foreign teams I had needed some air and resuming competition didn't even cross my mind It was not part of my near or far projects my wife and I decided to return to France after several years spent in the USA in fashion and in advertising; I was a set designer I quickly found work and then I ran into my coach and friend Daniel 'Dani' Fernandes the idea of returning to competition was on the table Of course I know that there is the Olympic Games in Paris next year and speaking with Dani Returning to competition at the highest level is a challenge I realised that I was craving adrenaline and that I had the chance to relive part of my life that brought me so many things Everything is therefore very fresh and very sudden but life is fresh and sudden but she was also ready to relive with me what we had already experienced and she was ready to accompany me to reopen the high level parenthesis after eight years I visualise a lot and I see myself as a winner.” there is this ability that great champions have to project themselves "I really see myself returning to the highest level I know I can get back to my previous level I have to become the best French athlete again and then I have to face international competition as soon as possible there will be the French Championships and I will also participate in at least two continental opens I feel supported and there is an enthusiasm around my project I feel that judo today is more favourable to me than it was eight years ago The kumi-kata and favoured offensive postures suit me more I have never known 4 minute contests and that's a good thing I'm not going to say no to a minute less per match we experienced the prohibition of leg grabs That was a big change but I used to grab the sleeves and today I'm really curious to see how I will adapt Before we see Ugo again on the world circuit this summer he will take part in the French team's training camps I will focus on physical preparation mainly being a little lighter on the randori for the moment I will work with young people and athletes from the lower categories A lot of people were very surprised and excited to see me back The testimonies are numerous and very enthusiastic I know many were disappointed to see me stop so suddenly eight years ago; I was only 25 years old This is also the message that I want to convey Everything is aligned so that I can come back and I prefer to take stock after the fact I don't want to restrain myself and I want to have fun high level competition and I could take it all as a game I take things to heart and I will put all my heart into it When I see those with health problems or those facing difficult geo-political situations I tell myself that I can have a little fun and give happiness to others." we wish you good weather Ugo and see you soon 2025 / On Monday 14th April 2025 the International Judo Federation .. 2025 / Daniel De Angelis is the Director of the IJF Kata Commission 2025 / Follow the Reims IJF Kata World Series 2025 live on .. 2025 / The Tbilisi Grand Slam is a firm favourite on the IJF .. 2025 / Catherine 'Cathy' Arnaud is a legend of French and .. 2025 / Marie-Paule Panza is a figure of judo in the East of .. 2025 / The Paris Grand Slam concluded today at the Accor Arena .. "I am very familiar with Vancouver from my time with the Sounders and it is a great city and with a terrific soccer history," said Le Toux "I look forward to meeting my new teammates Receive our weekly Newsletterand set tailored daily news alerts Having been acquired by the French Cap Seine group in 2017 EcoTechnilin is looking to accelerate the adoption of natural fibre-based composites Transport/​Aerospace, Sustainable As a major agricultural cooperative dealing in plant-based products such as flax and hemp plant protection technology and fertilizers based in Mont-Saint-Aignan Cap Seine is providing the financial backing for a new investment drive that will bring benefits to many of its members in the bast fibre supply chain a material consisting of unidirectional (UD) flax fibres which are stretched and then sprayed with water and dried so that the natural cement in the flax fibres is all that’s required to bind the material together Read the full article on our Inside Composites website You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed Sebastien Le Toux announced his retirement from professional soccer on Monday, bringing a close to a well-traveled MLS career that saw the Frenchman become a cult hero at several clubs, but nowhere more so than the Philadelphia Union Le Toux retires as the Union’s all-time leader in nearly every major offensive category shots on goal (144) and corner kicks (379) With 59 goals and 57 assists across his distinguished MLS career he is one of only 19 players in the league’s 50-goal and one of eight to achieve those milestones for one club Le Toux also won the MLS Individual Fair Play Award twice (2010 “Philadelphia is where I had the most opportunities on and off the field,” said Le Toux in a club release “It is where I found career success with the Philadelphia Union NEWS: @SebastienLeToux will retire tomorrow as a member of the Union. He'll sign a one day contract & become the first member of our Ring of Honor:https://t.co/si7nMsfD5o#MerciSeba pic.twitter.com/g52EkPxTDd A native of Mont-Saint-Aignan, France, Le Toux arrived in North America in 2007 as a signing of the Seattle Sounders during their pre-MLS days in USL, eventually becoming the first player added to the Sounders’ MLS roster ahead of their 2009 expansion season. He helped Seattle win that year’s US Open Cup and later helped Philly reach back-to-back Open Cup finals in 2014 and 2015 He moved to Philadelphia as part of the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft and was a member of the Union’s first-ever starting 11 scored their first-ever goal and bagged their first-ever hat trick en route to an All-Star campaign highlighted by 14 goals and 11 assists Le Toux remains the first and only Union player to reach double digits in both goals and assists over a single season “Sebastien Le Toux has played a vital role in our organization’s history and it’s fitting that he’s retiring as a member of the Philadelphia Union,” said Union head coach Jim Curtin “He was key in our club’s success and created memorable moments “Whether scoring a hat trick in our first official home match to scoring the first playoff goal in Union history or leading us to back-to-back Open Cup Finals Sebastien always brought his best for the club He is the face of the Philadelphia Union and we’re happy to be a part of his final chapter in his career.” Aignan and Saint Mont cooperatives together 5300 hectares and 10 châteaux under its umbrella The ‘super-cooperative’ is one of Europe’s most respected independent research centres on historical ampelography known for the characterfulness and uncompromising quality – across price points – of its extensive range Many questioned the assumptions and principles Plaimont was founded upon I guess we doubted ourselves and whether the project would be sustainable,’ says Olivier Bourdet-Pees with the dominant [international] varieties.’ The fight against the severe loss of biodiversity this represented and the determination to preserve and propagate local grapes – many of them nearly extinct and not grown commercially – defined the project’s ethos This philosophy was in turn founded on the belief that these varieties had unparalleled ability to express terroir and were uniquely adapted to local conditions on the other – therefore better able to cope with natural challenges Both aspects would prove increasingly relevant as the end of the millennium approached the varieties and viticultural approach Plaimont has championed are held up as an example of how to face the challenges of climate change and market saturation through the prism of history and nature – while building a sustainable business that supports the livelihoods of a large community of growers and collaborators The prescience of the cooperative’s mission has been borne out both by Plaimont’s commercial success and by the importance – recognised internationally and seen as a case study for other regions – of its research efforts and experiment-led approach Plaimont has built a network of like- minded viticulturalists ampelographers and historians that has informed the cooperative’s pioneering projects including its research winery and vine conservatorium (the largest private collection of vines in France) Having forged its trajectory along two parallel complementary paths – a shrewd alertness to market demands and changing drinking habits and the preservation of Gascogne’s viticultural heritage – Plaimont has been able to strive commercially while remaining true to its mission ‘We want to establish direct links between varieties terroir and [historical] origin,’ explains Bourdet-Pees our approach appeals directly to a new audience that is interested in background The alignment of market trends with Plaimont’s original mission has long proven the cooperative’s founders and growers right – but they are not resting on their laurels ‘There’s so much work to do,’ Bourdet-Pees continues with a special focus on reinventing the reds And we hope to remove the use of pesticides across all our vineyards This translates into ongoing work on the preservation of local varieties (Tardiff and others) by collecting and propagating plant material and exploring their winemaking potential The results can be found not only on wine shelves across the world but also in the growing consensus that these grapes – many of which were once at risk of extinction – can offer the key to the future of quality A new study from the UBC Sauder School of Business shows people incorrectly believe that sugary fatty foods will supercharge their activities Whether they’re prepping for a big presentation cramming for a final exam or striving to hit new workout goals people constantly push themselves to perform their best — and many use food to help fuel those endeavours According to a new study from the UBC Sauder School of Business believing they’ll help them hit their performance targets — but in reality their choices could be doing just the opposite For the study, titled Food as Fuel: Performance Goals Increase the Consumption of High-Calorie Foods at the Expense of Good Nutrition researchers conducted a range of experiments that studied the impact of performance goals on food intake In one experiment involving 205 male undergraduate students in Canada and France participants were given handgrips and told their performance would be compared with that of their classmates; participants in a control group were given handgrips to play with The researchers also made potato chips available “We specifically chose potato chips because these foods provide absolutely zero nutritional benefits and we observed how many they would eat prior to engaging in a physical task” says lead author Yann Cornil who co-authored the study with Pierrick Gomez and Dimitri Vasiljevic from the NEOMA Business School in Mont-Saint-Aignan “And we found they would eat many more potato chips when we activated performance goals for a physical task.” In a similar experiment with 146 undergraduate students at a Canadian business school researchers asked participants to perform a cognitive test that involved doing brain teaser-type puzzles and told them their results would be ranked; a different group did the puzzles simply for fun the group that had to perform ate more of the sugary candies “We know that M&Ms do absolutely nothing to increase cognitive performance,” says Cornil “But we have evidence that people eat more M&Ms because they believe it’s going to give them energy.” the participants most likely to consume the low-nutrition snacks were those who see the human body as a car requiring fuel; in other words their consumption was more driven by the belief it would help them perform than it was by pleasure Cornil says we’re misled by marketers who advertise snack foods as sources of energy Cornil notes that a product like Nutella contains a lot of fat and refined sugar but some advertising campaigns position it as something that fuels daily activities and will give kids energy to go to school the researchers also surveyed nutritionists who confirmed that the best fuel for instance prior to a task requiring energy non-transformed carbohydrates such as fruits Cornil says the findings show that people need more nutrition education especially when it comes to which foods provide fuel He also believes there should be stricter limits put on advertisers when it comes to making claims about a product’s energy potential consumers needing a performance boost should stick with nutritious whole foods — even if marketers tell them sugary fatty and heavily processed items will help them hit the mark “A Mars bar or a Snickers bar can be a quick pick-me-up given the amount of sugar they contain And pretty soon there’s going to be a crash,” says Cornil if you want to play a football game or work on a big presentation Looking for a new story idea?Check out our latest News Tips 2016Courtesy Belmond CruisesSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links and Spain—plus onboard tastings from the likes of Champagne Taittinger and Maison Louis Jadot Golf France’s classic courses (without lugging your clubs).Hop Uniworld’s S.S. Joie de Vivre which starts sailing the Seine in March 2017 They’ll lend you clubs and arrange tee times at Normandy’s Golf de Rouen Mont-Saint-Aignan and Golf d’Étretat Soak up knowledge from brilliant profs.Relive your junior year abroad on Smithsonian Journeys’ expert-led cruises like next spring’s trip from Lisbon to London with a New York University professor specializing in architecture and history who will accompany passengers on visits to Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum and the Normandy American Cemetery which has alums from New York’s Met Opera performing on board up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time The Latona Fountain in the Garden of Versailles in France Is it a good or a bad thing to be greeted at a ship's bar by a big warm hug from the bartender you last met two years ago Of course I thought it was wonderful to re-meet the beautiful Ana in Joie de Vivre's Salon Toulouse but perhaps it could have been interpreted as my over-familiarity with the bar on SS Antoinette No matter – our mutual pleasure in seeing each other again is not only genuine but typical of the remarkable crew who work on Uniworld's river ships It's not just the ships; the Tollman family which owns The Travel Corporation's 25 travel brands prides itself on recognising staff who go out of their way to deliver "TNTs or Tiny Noticeable Touches" to guests whether in the prestigious Red Carnation hotels or any of its tour companies The Tollmans were onboard Joie de Vivre for its christening in Paris this year Dame Joan Collins did the honours as godmother and Uniworld's founder Stanley Tollman spoke about how France – and Paris in particular – has weathered some shocking events recently And it had to be Uniworld's best ship yet." Joie de Vivre is certainly a devoted homage to Paris Not only is it designed to dock in the centre of the city – within easy walking distance of the Eiffel Tower – its interior design is a visual love letter to France's glory days in the 19th and 20th centuries The sumptuous Salon Toulouse lounge-bar is filled with stylish furnishings in delicious shades of rosy reds and pinks; wood-panelled walls are hung with vintage framed photos of France and striking Art Nouveau posters; and the couches are covered in an antique-style Sanderson print that's similar to one we later see in Claude Monet's house in Giverny Behind the bar at the ship's bow is the tres chic Bistrot which is decked out like a traditional French bistro with red leather banquettes red-and-white checked tablecloths and bentwood chairs This is the go-to spot for an informal meal; lunch selections include pates The main dining room is Restaurant Le Pigalle where lavish buffets are set up for breakfast and lunch and classic French dishes are served for dinner It's as elegant as the lounge upstairs and conducive to leisurely wining and dining while watching the scenery pass by The Uniworld ship Joie de Vivre is a homage to Paris and offers scenic river cruises through France If you want to take the gourmet experience up a notch food and wine pairing events are held in La Cave du Vin for groups of 12; it's about the only thing you'll have to pay extra for on a Joie de Vivre cruise the ship's wellness venue where you can swim and work out by day and party the night away when it turns into Claude's supper club Active shore excursions are all the go on river cruises which is just as well considering it's so hard to resist all those calorific treats The Go Active program on Joie de Vivre's seven-night round-trip cruises from Paris to Normandy includes cycling my cruise companion's husband expresses horror at the thought of us non-players wreaking havoc on the scenic golf courses of Mont-Saint-Aignan and Etretat and anyway we are more than happy to join cycling and walking tours One memorable outing is a guided bike ride around the gardens of the Palace of Versailles The queue to get inside the palace is off-putting – even when you have a pre-booked tour you can't escape the crowds inside – and the history of the 800-hectare estate is fascinating Work on the gardens started at the same time as the palace It took 40 years for thousands of workers to dig out the Grand Canal build the orangery and dozens of ornamental fountains Cycling along the five kilometres of country roads from Vernon to Monet's house and gardens at Giverny is a breeze The flowers are in full glorious spring bloom and Uniworld has even organised an on-site talk with a visiting artist Pedalling along the riverbank from Caudebec en Caux to the Victor Hugo museum at Villequier where the great writer spent his holidays in the 1840s this idyllic spot on the Seine is also the site of Hugo's greatest tragedy The hauntingly beautiful medieval city of Rouen is probably best known for being where St Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake obtained for €5 from the Tourist Office (formerly Monet's studio) leads us on an eye-opening walk that takes in imposing Gothic monuments and tiny alleyways flanked by tall 14th-century Gros Horloge (an astronomical clock) and the magnificent Court House feature on most tours but the cloisters of Aitre St Maclou – a former plague cemetery – was an unexpected find It is now an arts centre but the original wooden facade The mummified cat near the entrance makes for a ghoulish photo opportunity students of more recent history can take a day tour of the World War II landing beaches in Normandy We opt instead to take an independent trip to Mont St Michel on Normandy's north-west coast the rocky island and its crowning spired monastery rise magically out of the surrounding salt-grass plains long before you get close The story goes that in 708AD local bishop Aubert received a command from the Archangel Michael to build a church on top of the island in his honour Over the centuries it became a magnificent Benedictine abbey and the pretty village below grew around the steep hill to provide shelter and supplies for the thousands of pilgrims who flocked there while walking the Camino de Santiago Today more worldly travellers throng the shops and restaurants; a highlight of our personal pilgrimage is lunch at Mere Poulard a restaurant that has been famous for its fluffy omelettes since 1888 Joie de Vivre's eight-day return cruises from Paris to Normandy are already hugely popular They run until December this year and restart in March 2018 As Christmas approaches at a rate of knots a winter holiday complete with Christmas markets French food and wine and oodles of bonhomie might be the just the thing Foodies with a sweet tooth and sense of history mustn't miss the original Laduree patisserie. First opened in 1862 by baker Louis Ernest Laduree on Rue Royale near the Opera Garnier, you can book a table for tea or just buy a beautifully wrapped box of macarons. See laduree.com/en_int Check out the Eiffel Tower's underground bunker and impressive engine room before ascending to the roof of Le Jules Verne restaurant for panoramic Paris views. Your guide entertains with facts and anecdotes about the city's most famous landmark. See booking.parisinfo.com The vast cemetery where famous people from Frederic Chopin to Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison are buried lies about an hour from the Eiffel Tower by metro. Its tree-lined avenues and array of mausoleums and graves make for a memorably atmospheric walk. See en.parisinfo.com For unforgettable city views and a look at the setting of the famous 19th-century novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, climb the 400-odd steps of Notre-Dame cathedral's towers. Take a breather along the way to admire the 500-kilogram Emmanuel bell. See booking.parisinfo.com Auguste Rodin's The Thinker is one of the most recognised sculptures in the world. See it in the peaceful gardens of Musee Rodin at the Hotel Biron, a historic mansion that houses the works Rodin donated to the French state in 1908. See musee-rodin.fr/en traveller.com.au/cruises/river-cruises uniworld.com Qatar Airways flies daily from Sydney to Doha with three flights a day from Doha to Paris. Phone 1300 340 600, see qatarairways.com Uniworld's Joie de Vivre sails seven-night Paris round-trip cruises to Normandy, plus longer France itineraries combined with other ships. From $3999 (March 2018 departures). Phone 1300 780 231 or see uniworld.com Sally Macmillan travelled as a guest of Uniworld and Qatar Airways Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now Is it a good or a bad thing to be greeted at a ship's bar by a big warm hug from the bartender you last met two years ago Of course I thought it was wonderful to re-meet the beautiful Ana in Joie de Vivre's Salon Toulouse but perhaps it could have been interpreted as my over-familiarity with the bar on SS Antoinette No matter \\u2013 our mutual pleasure in seeing each other again is not only genuine but typical of the remarkable crew who work on Uniworld's river ships It's not just the ships; the Tollman family which owns The Travel Corporation's 25 travel brands Dame Joan Collins did the honours as godmother and Uniworld's founder Stanley Tollman spoke about how France \\u2013 and Paris in particular \\u2013 has weathered some shocking events recently And it had to be Uniworld's best ship yet." Not only is it designed to dock in the centre of the city \\u2013 within easy walking distance of the Eiffel Tower \\u2013 its interior design is a visual love letter to France's glory days in the 19th and 20th centuries The sumptuous Salon Toulouse lounge-bar is filled with stylish furnishings in delicious shades of rosy reds and pinks; wood-panelled walls are hung with vintage framed photos of France and striking Art Nouveau posters; and the couches are covered in an antique-style Sanderson print that's similar to one we later see in Claude Monet's house in Giverny Behind the bar at the ship's bow is the tres chic Bistrot It's as elegant as the lounge upstairs and conducive to leisurely wining and dining while watching the scenery pass by food and wine pairing events are held in La Cave du Vin for groups of 12; it's about the only thing you'll have to pay extra for on a Joie de Vivre cruise the ship's wellness venue where you can swim and work out by day and party the night away when it turns into Claude's supper club which is just as well considering it's so hard to resist all those calorific treats The Go Active program on Joie de Vivre's seven-night round-trip cruises from Paris to Normandy includes cycling my cruise companion's husband expresses horror at the thought of us non-players wreaking havoc on the scenic golf courses of Mont-Saint-Aignan and Etretat The queue to get inside the palace is off-putting \\u2013 even when you have a pre-booked tour you can't escape the crowds inside \\u2013 and the history of the 800-hectare estate is fascinating Cycling along the five kilometres of country roads from Vernon to Monet's house and gardens at Giverny is a breeze this idyllic spot on the Seine is also the site of Hugo's greatest tragedy obtained for \\u20AC5 from the Tourist Office (formerly Monet's studio) but the cloisters of Aitre St Maclou \\u2013 a former plague cemetery \\u2013 was an unexpected find We opt instead to take an independent trip to Mont St Michel on Normandy's north-west coast Joie de Vivre's eight-day return cruises from Paris to Normandy are already hugely popular Foodies with a sweet tooth and sense of history mustn't miss the original Laduree patisserie First opened in 1862 by baker Louis Ernest Laduree on Rue Royale near the Opera Garnier you can book a table for tea or just buy a beautifully wrapped box of macarons Check out the Eiffel Tower's underground bunker and impressive engine room before ascending to the roof of Le Jules Verne restaurant for panoramic Paris views Your guide entertains with facts and anecdotes about the city's most famous landmark The vast cemetery where famous people from Frederic Chopin to Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison are buried lies about an hour from the Eiffel Tower by metro Its tree-lined avenues and array of mausoleums and graves make for a memorably atmospheric walk For unforgettable city views and a look at the setting of the famous 19th-century novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame climb the 400-odd steps of Notre-Dame cathedral's towers Take a breather along the way to admire the 500-kilogram Emmanuel bell Auguste Rodin's The Thinker is one of the most recognised sculptures in the world See it in the peaceful gardens of Musee Rodin at the Hotel Biron a historic mansion that houses the works Rodin donated to the French state in 1908 Qatar Airways flies daily from Sydney to Doha with three flights a day from Doha to Paris Uniworld's Joie de Vivre sails seven-night Paris round-trip cruises to Normandy plus longer France itineraries combined with other ships Sally Macmillan travelled as a guest of Uniworld and Qatar Airways.