Visiting Rouen

This weekend we got to have some adventures! The closest town is to the Chateau is Acquigny, but it’s really tiny. On the plus side, there is a boulangerie that has delicious pastries within walking distance. Now that is something that I’ll definitely miss back in the states.

Not far from Acquigny is Louviers, which has a bustling Saturday market! Of course, I bought another scarf. It’s an addiction. We even ran into a string of donkeys in town, though I really have no idea why they were there.

Donkeys. Who'd've thunk it?

Cute face, though.

On Sunday, Lisa and I travelled to Rouen. It seems like quite the tourist hot spot. We found the market in town and wandered around, then made our way over to the Old Market. It is right next to the church dedicated to Joan of Arc and the memorial to where she was burned at the stake.

We grabbed a sandwich at a bakery and ate lunch along the river. Afterwards, we went through the gorgeous cathedral. The real charm of Rouen is in the random medieval streets, so we spent a lot of time just wandering around town.

I find the name disproportionately amusing.

Market in Rouen.

I seriously want to own this house.

There were many more people playing
accordion in the streets here than in Paris.

Le Gros Horloge!

Church of Joan of Arc

Lunch view on the river.

Notre Dame de Rouen

One of the altar rails in Notre Dame de Rouen.

They moved the original exterior statues in to the church
for preservation purposes and replaced them with replicas.

Mini-model!

Random tower in Rouen.

Also in the Church of Joan of Arc.

Church of Joan of Arc has AMAZING stained glass.
Looks blah from the outside, but you really must go in.

Finally, we made our way to the Musee de Beaux Arts. Unintentionally, we ended up there on the first Sunday of the month, when all museums have free entry! It was a pleasant surprise. I love visiting museums, but I can only stand them in small doses. Lisa is better able to appreciate them than I, so I went and sat out in the park after I was finished so she could continue to enjoy it. If nothing else, I know now that I actually really like impressionist paintings.