The river Seine seen from the bank at La Roche-Guyon. White limestone cliffs flank the northern riverside. Imagine 120 Viking boats, carrying about 5000 Normans, rowing up the river Seine in March 845.

The Normans raided and looted Paris and only withdrew after being paid 7000 livres ransom (so called "Danegeld") by Charles the Bald.

The Normans returned again in the 860s and secured loot or ransom, but 885-886 the city walls of Paris held.