Goodbye Belgium and hello France

We are now in Rouen or actually, we were because we are somewhere else now. We stayed the night at a marina not far from the inner city and nothing around so Mom cooked despite the heat.

it has become super hot here now, (35-40C) even warmer than in Florida, but it's still cool at night so sleeping is good.

We got up very early while it was still cool, and went for a bike ride along the river Seine into town.

Formerly one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, the population of the metropolitan area is 702,945 (2018) Rouen was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy during the Middle Ages. It was one of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman dynasties, which ruled England and large parts of modern France from the 11th to the 15th centuries. From the 13th century onwards, the city experienced a remarkable economic boom, thanks, particularly to the development of textile factories and river trade. Claimed by the French and the English during the Hundred Years' War, it was on its soil that Joan of Arc was tried and burned alive on 30 May 1431.

 Severely damaged by the wave of bombing in 1944, it nevertheless regained its economic dynamism in the post-war period thanks to its industrial sites and its large seaport, which today is the fifth largest in France

We never figured out why there was Lego pieces covering some of the bomb holes, but it added some color to all gray buildings

Saint Joan of Arc church was built by architect Louis Arretche and it sure stands out as being so different, the project was also controversial in a city that houses many beautiful medieval Gothic churches

Inside, 13 stained-glass windows from 1520-1530 form a glass wall of 500 square meters, bathing the interior in light. These fine windows were originally set in the choir of the Saint-Vincent church which was destroyed during the Second World War (its ruins are still visible today on the rue Jeanne d’Arc). However, precautions had been taken and the windows were put in safe keeping until they were incorporated into their new home some 40 years later

We peeked in through the door and were quickly told to get out. I guess their God doesn't like dogs.

Despite the devastation of the Second World War, Rouen still has about 2000 half timbered houses dating back to the late Middle Ages.

Rouen’s Notre-Dame Cathedral is another of the city’s iconic buildings, reaching 151 meters into the sky and dominating the city’s skyline. From 1876 to 1880, it was the tallest building in the world until the Cologne Cathedral stole its title. Today, it remains the tallest cathedral in France.

It was early and no one was around here so we walked in to look around. it's huge and even here some of the old stained glass windows saved from the war were used thus have stained-glass windows dating from as far back as 1210

The cathedral, built and rebuilt over a period of more than eight hundred years, has features from Early Gothic to late Flamboyant and Renaissance architecture. It also has a place in art history as the subject of a series of impressionist paintings by Claude Monet

Across from the Notre Dame Cathedral is the tourist office, also known as the oldest Renaissance building in Rouen, dating back to 1509 and now labeled a historical monument

Every street had amazing buildings and some streets felt a little dark like something bad had happened there, I have a great sense of that kind of stuff, and sure enough, there's a mummified cat and morbid carvings in the old timber walls.

The grounds of the Aitre de St. Maclou have been steadily used as burial grounds since Roman times. However, during the Black Death of 1348 when 3/4 of the area’s inhabitants died, the site became a cemetery. By the 1520s more room was needed and in 1533 construction was finished on the East, West, and North aboveground ossuary galleries.

     

       

 

But she gave in and we sat down and ordered something. French people do not speak very good English so Mom just guessed and this was a very good grilled cheese for 9 Euro 

The gothic architecture of Rouen is the Church of Saint-Maclou. The church is known for its five gabled archways on its front and flying buttresses, both of which are staples of the style; in this case from the Flamboyant period. This striking church is nestled among Norman half-timbered houses, forming a combination that perfectly embodies the aesthetics of Rouen.

Street musician plays the accordian

The astronomic clock lies on a Renaissance arch that has spanned the street since 1527.  The Gros-Horloge itself dates back to the 16th century and its movement from 1389 in fact, it contains one of the oldest mechanisms in all of France

The two faces of the clock display 24 rays of sun against a blue starred sky

The dial’s diameter is 2.50 meters. A single hand ending with a depiction of a lamb shows the hour. The moon phases are indicated in the oculus above the clock face, in a sphere of 30 centimeters in diameter. It completes a full rotation in 29 days. There is also a hand showing the week, inside an opening at the base of the dial. It is decorated by allegoric characters: Diane as the moon (Monday), Mars (Tuesday), Mercury (Wednesday), Jupiter (Thursday), Venus (Friday), Saturn (Saturday), and Apollo (Sunday)

here's a colorful street. We observed that French shopping is only what's going on in the streets. No shops open at all and that's pretty nice we thought.

The Palace of Justice, in the historic center of the city, was built in 1499 to house the Exchequer of Normandy (a judicial institution that also functions chamber of accounts).

The site became the headquarters of the Parliament under King Francis I in 1515, and it turns into a courthouse after the French Revolution.

Symbol of prosperity in the early sixteenth century, the building is an example of the Louis XII style. Historical Monument in 1840, the palace is very affected by the bombings in April and August 1944 and must be then an identical restoration which will only be completed in 1970 and will justify a new ranking.

This was all fenced in no visitors were allowed at all?

after several hours walking around we biked back to Lucy and packed her up ready to drive to next place 

Goodbye Rouen, it was a great visit.

The next stop was Omaha Beach and it was crowded very crowded and they weren't happy with RVs at all because every parking lot had a bar across the entrance preventing Lucys' height to make it in.

Mom didn't give up though. we went back to town and parked at the library, made coffee, and had Fika

She figured most people will leave in the evening and she was right.

We drove back and found a spot for the night, I think our neighbor was living there for a while,but had no problem with us staying the night.

I had a great time running on the beach.

Mom was very impressed with this father and son building a fort together in the sand. They were our neighbors too

Early morning we drove back to the memorial and had breakfast in Lucy with a spectacular view. After a few pictures we continued on to where we are now. 

Mom is tired of writing so I'll tell you more tomorrow.

It is horrible hot here but fortunately, it cools down a lot at night 

Sun is down and we're so ready for bed

 Au Revoir à demain

Henry