Before getting into our travelogue about Rouen, I want to let you know about something that Rita and I never thought about in the comfort of our Vancouver home; where are the public toilets located in each of the places we visit!! This has now turned out to be a very important part of our trip planning. We are drinking more and holding less. Our ability to hold a full tank is not what it used to be and once we feel the urge, it’s time to start heading for the nearest toilet. This has also created a little financial concern for us as free toilets are not that common in France. So our budget is getting squeezed as we have to pay 50 – 75 cents each time we hit these things. It’s starting to add up!!! No need to start sending financial contributions but it’s something that you have to think about, especially when you are 60. I am glad I did not wait to do this trip until I wa 70!!
OK, onto Rouen. It’s over 2,000 years old and was the regional capital in Roman times. It was also the capital of Normandy and William the Conqueror (ne Bastard) called it home before moving to England and becoming their King. The old city is a vibrant tourist area and most of their narrow cobbled streets are for pedestrians only. The big attraction is you guessed it, their Cathedral. It’s also called Notre Dame and is famous for having Claude Monet painting its Gothic façade 20 times at various times of the day to capture different “impressions” of the same image. Joan of Arc was also burned at the stake here in 1431 and the English King Richard the Lionhearted (from Camelot fame) was descended from William the Conqueror (ne Bastard) and his heart is in a tomb inside Notre Dame Cathedral. Am I boring you yet? Rita was and left me at the Cathedral and went shopping for a couple of hours. The pictures are also for her benefit as well.
Outside of Notre Dame Cathedral
Inside of Notre Dame Cathedral
Old Town Street in Rouen with Notre Dame in Distance
Half Timbered Houses in Old City of Rouen
Old City Centre Cafe district. They could use some clients!!!
After I picked up Rita from shopping we headed back to Bayeux. On the way we decided to stop and visit Deauville as the rain we started to experience had stopped before we reached this beach destination. It is actually attached to Trouville, which we visited a couple of days ago. If you remember I mentioned that the rich and famous had left Trouville to the cheap and cheerful crowds. Deauville is where they went and it shows in the beautiful mansions along the endless beach and the high-end shops in the village. When it’s too expensive for Rita, you know it’s high-end.
Rita on Deauville beach showing two summer home shut down for the season.
Deauville Hotel de Ville (City Hall)
You might have noticed a lot of the images have very little people in them. This is for two reasons. First I prefer most of the old city images without people so you can totally focus on the buildings and second, there is not that many people around as the season in this part of France is quickly winding down. Many of the beach mansions are shuttered up for the winter and vacationers are moving further south where it’s warmer. This is also our plan and we will be moving further south on Saturday.
1 comment:
Hey there continental types -
So sorry, but I've been 'blog-light' for a while, and have not joined the masses watching the perils and thrills of our carefree wanderers. I’ve now rectified that and when I’ve completed the back issues, I look forward to being up to date with your life and times.
I look forward to reading through the rest of your adventures, and I'm already enamoured with the titles! 'Road to Rouen' – what a kicker title!! And who am I to point out typos with the word 'ruin'. Note to self: a dictionary would be a nice retirement gift upon their return. Anyway, you undoubtedly have little wine stains on all your manuscripts...
And speaking of liquids, the reason for my writing is not the obviously need of spelling correction – but to share with you that it isn’t an age/bladder thing you’re experiencing; it’s the fact that you’ve just finally got in touch with your inner woman.
Women and toilets have been joined at the hip (well, in that general region) for centuries, and even with my ‘sponsored travels’ over the years I’ve always kept a keen eye out for McDonalds (lifesavers of the bladder kind). Surely you haven’t ventured that far from the known universe that there are no McDonalds???
Ooooo – Plan B are rail stations, but again you do get dinged those 75p or whatever currency every time. Good point.
I think you should A) come home, where we have lots o’ loos, or B) go somewhere warm where you can go swimming in the ocean, and the releasing of liquids would go unnoticed. But just don’t live the Oh Henry bar scene…
Now for the big question: when a person submits a comment on these blog-things (is my age showing??) you can erase this without anyone else seeing, right? This is the long way of saying should I just have used your e-mail address?? Can you access it over there? Who knew communication would be so stressful….
I hope you’re both doing wonderfully. Gerri and I got together and raised a glass (or two) to you last week, and on the behalf of us all – we love the chronicles but would love it more when you guys more are back in the ‘hood.
Happy travels, and watch for McDonalds.
Karen (one of many Karen’s out there, so this is my way of submitting an unlisted blog)
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