~Rouen~ A Day Trip

Rouen is the historic capital city of Normandy, in Northern France on the River Seine.  Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of Medieval Europe.  In the Middle Ages it was the seat of the Exchequer (revenue collecting) of Normandy.  It was one of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman dynasties, which ruled England and large parts of France from the 11th to 15th centuries.  It was in Rouen where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431.

In a nutshell, Rouen is old (over 2,000 years) and historic.  I've wanted to see Rouen ever since I became a lover of Monet.  The four scenes of Rouen Cathedral at different times of the day was fascinating.  Rouen was to have been my "birthday excursion" on our last visit~ that did not happen.   This trip it is to be my birthday excursion and it is on the "must see" list.

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Rouen

Rouen Cathedral

One of the 20 Monet paintings of the facade of the Cathedral.

Rouen has an long history of war and being passed back and forth between England and France (Hundred Years War).

During World War II,  45 % of the city was destroyed.  The cathedral suffered partial damage but much of the historic core survived. Many of the old half timbered houses remain.

Rouen was the first city in France to make faience, earthenware covered with color glazes.  There is one artisan who still makes this type of pottery in Rouen.

This is the St. Maclou church.  The style is flamboyant Gothic.  Next to St. Maclou is the plague cemetery.  During the Middle Ages  2/3 of the church's parishioners died of the plague.  The cemetery is in effect a mass grave.

This is the impressive Renaissance clock.  In the 16th century only an hour hand was needed.

Rouen has a Museum of Fine Art with paintings from many periods including one of Monet's Cathedral facade.   There is also a Museum of Iron Works and a Museum of Ceramics..  There is a modern church built as a tribute to St. Joan of Arc.  The church has a Scandinavian style reminding us of Normandy's Nordic roots.

The Place du Vieux Marche, the old market square, is surrounded by half timbered buildings, restaurants, a produce market and park.

The trip to Rouen from Paris takes about an hour by train....and if the weather is nice...I will spend my birthday there.

I do not know why the highlighting appeared half way through this post but I have given up trying to "fix" it.  Computers always win out!