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Day 4 Rouen, France
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Click Any Photo To Make It Larger!
Cruising the Seine: After the ship left Vernon for Rouen, the bright sunny morning was spent cruising the Seine River which “snakes” its way through the vistas of Normandy past picturesque villages, historic abbeys, farmland and limestone cliffs. Since it was November, the trees were in their beautiful fall colors.
Morning Activities: After a late breakfast, there was finally time to wander around the ship and take a few pictures. At 9:45am in the Lounge there was a presentation about Joan of Arc which was timely since we would be docking in Rouen at 11:00am. Rouen is where Joan of Arc was tried and condemned for heresy and then burned at the stake in 1431. It was good to learn more about her life and death before visiting her memorial site.
Morning Activities: After a late breakfast, there was finally time to wander around the ship and take a few pictures. At 9:45am in the Lounge there was a presentation about Joan of Arc which was timely since we would be docking in Rouen at 11:00am. Rouen is where Joan of Arc was tried and condemned for heresy and then burned at the stake in 1431. It was good to learn more about her life and death before visiting her memorial site.
Another favorite breakfast
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Limestone cliffs and fall colors as cruised on the Seine River
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Limestone cliffs and fall colors as cruised on the Seine River
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Limestone cliffs and fall colors as cruised on the Seine River
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Homes along the Seine River
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Homes along the Seine River
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Fall colors along the Seine River
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Peaceful Seine River
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Cliffs and homes along the Seine River
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Abbey seen from the Seine River
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Coming into Rouen, France
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Top deck - miniature golf and lots of deck chairs
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Computers for internet use
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Library
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One of many seating areas around the ship
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Restaurant set up for breakfast
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Coffee/tea station where cookies and other snacks were available all day
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Stairs leading from deck 2 to deck 3 and Lounge
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Gift shop area
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Salad for lunch so could have dessert
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Delicious dessert
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Ice cream with whipped cream for dessert
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Optional Excursions: There were two scheduled for today. These optional excursions can be taken for an extra fee. One excursion was to Honfleur & la Cote Fleurie to visit two of Normandy’s charming seaside cities, one an artist’s haven and the other a popular resort. The picturesque port was painted by famous artists such as Claude Monet and Eugene Boudin. The other optional excursion was through Rouen’s countryside and a visit to a working Norman cider farm where you would be able to sample Calvados and the Norman aperitif “Pommeau” with homemade apple tarts and Norman cheese.
Included Excursion: After lunch we enjoyed a walking tour through the medieval city of Rouen, historic capital of Normandy. Our local guide led us to the city center where we wandered down medieval streets past half-timbered houses and buildings that date from the 13th century. Rouen is known as the “City of a Hundred Spires”, referring to the many fine churches and cathedrals dating to medieval times. One of the most famous churches is Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, best known for having France’s highest spire which is a cast-iron spire on the Lantern Tower. Claude Monet painted the façade of the cathedral in various shades of light and weather in a series of 28 paintings known as the Rouen Cathedral Series. It was difficult to get a photo of the entire front of the cathedral because the city was setting up little buildings for their Christmas market. The inside of the church was just as beautiful as the outside. We were able to see the double-sided ornate gold face of the Renaissance-style Gros Horloge Astronomical Clock which dates back to 1389 as we walked along Rue de Gros Horloge on our way to the Old Market Square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake at the age of 19 years old. There is a memorial garden as well as a statue of Joan of Arc and a huge cross marking the spot of her death. Nearby is the Church of Joan of Arc which is a very modern building in the form of an upturned Viking boat and a fish shape. The outside of the church is very unusual in a city of historic buildings, but the inside is quite beautiful and peaceful. Another unusual place that we visited was Aitre St-Maclou, a former house used for the burial of the bodies of plaque victims in the 14th-16th centuries. Today it is an art academy. The engravings on the outside of the house were very interesting and quite unique and the entire courtyard was a very somber place. After the tour we had time to visit the interesting shops we had seen along the way before we walked back across the river to the ship.
Included Excursion: After lunch we enjoyed a walking tour through the medieval city of Rouen, historic capital of Normandy. Our local guide led us to the city center where we wandered down medieval streets past half-timbered houses and buildings that date from the 13th century. Rouen is known as the “City of a Hundred Spires”, referring to the many fine churches and cathedrals dating to medieval times. One of the most famous churches is Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, best known for having France’s highest spire which is a cast-iron spire on the Lantern Tower. Claude Monet painted the façade of the cathedral in various shades of light and weather in a series of 28 paintings known as the Rouen Cathedral Series. It was difficult to get a photo of the entire front of the cathedral because the city was setting up little buildings for their Christmas market. The inside of the church was just as beautiful as the outside. We were able to see the double-sided ornate gold face of the Renaissance-style Gros Horloge Astronomical Clock which dates back to 1389 as we walked along Rue de Gros Horloge on our way to the Old Market Square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake at the age of 19 years old. There is a memorial garden as well as a statue of Joan of Arc and a huge cross marking the spot of her death. Nearby is the Church of Joan of Arc which is a very modern building in the form of an upturned Viking boat and a fish shape. The outside of the church is very unusual in a city of historic buildings, but the inside is quite beautiful and peaceful. Another unusual place that we visited was Aitre St-Maclou, a former house used for the burial of the bodies of plaque victims in the 14th-16th centuries. Today it is an art academy. The engravings on the outside of the house were very interesting and quite unique and the entire courtyard was a very somber place. After the tour we had time to visit the interesting shops we had seen along the way before we walked back across the river to the ship.
Welcome to Rouen, capital of Normandy
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Tourist office
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First glimpse of tallest spire in France
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Front of famous Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Front of famous Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Up close view of front of Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Setting up little buildings for Christmas Market
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Front door of cathedral
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Up close of front entrance
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Inside of Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Chapelle Saint Catherine
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Statue of Mary and baby
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Other views of inside Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Other views of inside Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Beautiful stained glass windows
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Beautiful stained glass windows
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Beautiful stained glass windows
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Magnificent altar
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Two of many statues in Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Another altar in Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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View of inside of Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Side entrance of Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Side entrance of Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
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Alley
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Half timbered houses
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Old cobbled street now pedestrian walkway
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Half timbered houses
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Curious cat checking us out!
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One of many interesting shops
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St. Owen's Abbey
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St. Owen's Abbey
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Front door of St. Owen's Abbey
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Shops with homes above
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Interesting sign on building
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Very old buildings
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Crooked house
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Walk along Rue Gros Horloge
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Christmas decorations starting to appear
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Gold face of Renaissance-style Gros Horloge Astronomical Clock
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Up close of double sided clock
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Picturesque house
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Memorial garden for Joan of Arc - she was not buried here but ashes were thrown into the Seine River
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Cross where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Old Market Square in 1431
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Statue of Joan of Arc
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Church of Joan of Arc - very modern building in shape of upturned Viking ship and fish
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Aitre St-Maclou - former house used for burial of bodies of plague victims during 14th - 16th centuries
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Cross in middle of graveyard
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Carvings along side of building
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Building now used as an art academy
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More Christmas decorations going up
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Bakery for shopping on way back to ship
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Port Talk and Dinner: Before dinner, the program director once again informed us about the excursions and events for the following day. All the information he gave each night made for a more enjoyable excursion. The head chef also briefed us on his recommendation for the night’s appetizer, entrée, dessert and wine to go with each. Since there was an early departure for the next day’s excursions, there was no after dinner entertainment.
Candy shop to explore on way back to ship
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Fish for dinner
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Dessert
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