We had a rainy walking tour of Rouen and visited the Notre Dame Cathedral. The subject of almost 30 paintings by impressionist artist Claude Monet, this Gothic cathedral has beautiful stained glass windows and small side chapels and contains the tombs of Rollo and Richard the Lionheart.
The city is an interesting mix of old and new architecture. Its showpiece is the astronomical clock which dates back to the 14th century. We saw the Palais de Justice and the Place du Vieux-Marché, where a modern church marks the site of Joan of Arc’s execution pyre. Little is known about Joan of Arc. She is said to have been a shepherdess, but some say she was actually a noble of illegitimate birth. Why she was singled out for burning at the stake remains a mystery.
Astronomical Clock
Palais de Justice
No massacre took place on this street – butchers’ shops were located on this street centuries ago, hence the name
Church of Saint Joan of ArcI returned to the ship for lunch and a relaxing afternoon, attending a fun presentation titled “Tour de France of Gastronomy” that discussed the food specialties of different regions of France. The day ended with wine and appetizers in the lounge followed by the Chef’s Signature Dinner with duck breast, porcini essiccati, deep sea scallops, Alaskan halibut and flaming creme brulee.
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