After only 35 minutes on the train we arrived in C.alais where we picked up Arianna and Tim. Then it was off to Ro.uen.
We arrived in the city, checked into our hotel and then headed out to dinner. Our hotel was actually hidden away on a pedestrian only street (you can see it's blue sign reflecting off the wall behind Tim's head):
Our hotel was actually called 'H.ôtel de la Cathedrale' - literally Cathedral Hotel... and yes, we did have a view of the cathedral:
However, if you leaned out the window a bit, you got a much better view of the Church of Sa.int-Mac.lou:
On Friday morning we got up, bought our breakfast at a local patesserie and then ate in front of the cathedral that inspired Monet:
As we were eating a group of musicians began playing in the square. The boys had to give them a few euros for setting the atmosphere:
We then went into the cathedral. It is very interesting because it was severely damaged in 1944 and so much of it has had to be restored and/or replaced (in fact, some sections are still unfinished). The only side chapel on the south side that was not damaged during the bombardment of R.ouen was the Chapel of St. Catherine (it's survival is the only thing that kept the entire cathedral wall from falling down):
After our cathedral visit, we decided to climb the medieval Gro.s Horlage (or clock tower):
At the top we got an amazing view of the city:
Our next stop was the Church of Saint Joan d'Arc. The large cross to the left of the picture marks the spot where she was burned at the stake. The church was built in 1979 using the stained glass salvaged from the church that previously stood there. The new church is supposed to evoke the flames that consumed Joan:
Our last stop in Ro.uen was the Tower of Joan d'Arc:
After hitting the highlights of R.ouen it was time to head off to another spot along Nor.mandy's coast!
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