Rouen 5 January 2009

The boys relaxing after a hard day sightseeing.

Andrew in front of the "Paul" boulangerie.

Once we saw one Paul we saw them everywhere we went.

Ella in the Park on the play equipment

Rouen Cathedral

This building (Aitre Saint-Maclou) was originally built as a plague cemetery in 1348.

Today the building is used as the Regional Fine Arts School.

It was snowing as we drove towards Rouen. Snow flurries they’re called. The fields were covered in light snow, very pretty.

We arrived late and after doing circles trying to find our hotel, Andrew drove Irene and I in to the city to go to the Musée des Beaux Arts before it closed. It was a beautiful museum housed in a magnificent building. It had collections by Caravaggio, Modigliani, Monet and Sisley.

We did our usual routine of walking tour around the old part of the city - trying to spot all the points of interest on the tourist map.

Rouen is the city where Joan of Arc was tried for heresy. Next to where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake there is a Church built as a memorial honouring St Joan.

Rouen was devastated by bombing raids during World War II and has been rebuilt since. It’s a mix of the old half-timbered houses and new look buildings trying to blend in.

We had a lovely dinner at Rouen the second night at a rather posh place. The food was delicious and the kids were given little gift bags which was nice.