Rouen, France

On May 28^th we docked at Le Havre in France. I know this is going to sound snooty, but since mum and I have both been to Paris and neither one of us is in a hurry to go back, we opted for a tour of Rouen instead. After a 90 minute drive through lush green farmland we arrived at the city whose skyline is dominated by the spires of the impressive Gothic cathedral. Our bus dropped us off near the cathedral where we began our walking tour through the medieval section of the town which is one of the few sections of Rouen which was not destroyed by bombs during WWII. Once again we felt as if we had stepped back in time as we strolled down the cobblestone streets, past the timbered houses which have existed since the 15^th and 16^th centuries. Our guide took us through a stone archway, along a narrow laneway and into a courtyard which was used as a mass burial ground during the Black Plague of the 14^th century. Today it is a peaceful park with shady trees and comfortable benches. In the 16^th century the Ossuary St. Maclou was erected around the four sides of the square to hold the victims of another plague because there wasn't enough room to bury all the bodies. The building itself was very interesting because it is a good example of the timber and clay construction of the time and it is decorated with scenes of the Danse Macabre – skulls, crossbones, gravediggers tools, etc. Archaeologists even dug up the petrified skeleton of a black cat believed to have been buried in the foundations of the building to ward off evil spirits. The poor cat is on display and looked very grotesque! Once we'd finished our medieval walk, we visited the interior of the Rouen Cathedral, a fine example of the Gothic style of architecture. With its beautiful stained glass windows, numerous statues and vaulted ceilings, it was an awe-inspiring sight. Once outside the cathedral our guide led us down yet another cobblestone street to view the Gros Horloge, a colourful astronomical clock dating from the 16^th century. We passed below the arched clock tower and entered the old marketplace which is now full of small shops and cafes. Eventually we were led to the spot where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. We were then hustled back to the bus for the return trip to Le Havre. What a pleasant and interesting way to spend our day in France!