Normande

Normande area - Things to see and do:

ROUEN, the capital of Upper Normandy, is one of France's most ancient cities. Standing on the site of Roman Rotomagus, the lowest point on the river then capable of being bridged, it was laid out by the Viking Rollo shortly after he became Duke of Normandy in 911. Captured by the English in 1419, it was the scene in 1431 of the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, and returned to French control in 1449.

Over the centuries, Rouen has suffered repeated devastation; there were 45 major fires in the first half of the thirteenth century alone. It has had to be almost entirely rebuilt during the last sixty years, and now you could spend a whole day wandering around the city without realizing that the Seine ran through its centre. Wartime bombs destroyed all its bridges, the area between the cathedral and the quais, and much of the industrial quarter. The riverside area has never been adequately restored, and what you might expect to be the most beautiful part of the city is in fact something of a disappointment.

Enormous sums have, however, been lavished on an upmarket restoration job on the streets a few hundred metres north of the river, which turned the centre into the closest approximation to a medieval city that modern imaginations could come up with. The suggestion that for historical authenticity the houses should be painted in bright, clashing colours was not deemed appropriate, but so far as it goes, the whole of this inner core can be very seductive, and its churches are impressive by any standards.

• Rouen Cathedral (la cathédrale de Rouen). A stunning building that dates back to the 4th Century and is a wonderful mixture of various architectural styles since then. A new spire built in the 19th Century meant that it briefly qualified as the tallest building in the world. The facade of the cathedral was famously painted by Claude Monet at various times during the day - like his Haystacks series of paintings - capturing the subject in a variety of lights. In the summer after dark the city puts on a light show projecting some of Monet's cathedral paintings onto the facade of the cathedral itself, each showing lasts approximately 10 minutes and runs until about midnight.
• Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in the center of la vieille ville. A simple field of wildflowers marks the spot of her martyrdom. Next to it is the modern Eglise de Jeanne d'Arc.
• The Big Clock (le gros horloge) recently restored, located in the middle of the rue du Gros Horloge. Climb to the top for a beautiful view of the city.
• The birthplace of writer Gustave Flaubert, best known for his scandalous novel Madame Bovary, has been converted into a museum of his life and of 19th century medicine (his father and brother were doctors). It is located at 1, rue Lecat, off Boulevard des Belges and not far from place Cauchoise. One can also visit the birthplace of playwright Pierre Corneille at 4, rue de la Pie, a moment's walk from Vieux Marche.
• The magnificent Gothic Abbatiale St-Ouen is not to be missed. It is next to the Hotel de Ville at the end of Rue de la Republique.

Day trips:

•  Dieppe, a lovely seaside resort, 45 minutes away.The whole   Norman countryside, coast, and the Seine valley are spectacular with beautiful peaceful green pastures and forests, white cliffs, and including such famous sites as the cliff-arches of Etretat.

• An ideal half-day trip would include Les Andelys, a picturesque village with an impressive castle just south of Rouen
• Next stop could be the little 17-th century harbor of Honfleur (90 km west)
• Le Havre and its modern architecture which belongs to the prestigious Unesco World Heritage List (regular trains running from Rouen)Visit Le Havre page on the site to get a better view of western Normandy
• From Rouen station you can reach Bayeux and its impressive tapestry (HUGE tapestry depicting the entire Normandy invasion). It is a two-hour train ride and is only 30 minutes from the D-Day beaches. Additionally, busy Lille, chock full of museums and an enormous flea market in early September, lies to the North; about two hours on the train, 30€ each way.
• Vernon and Monet's home at Giverny are both about 40 minutes away on the train (direction of Paris, less than 20€). 

Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normandy_American_Cemetery_and_Memorial
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, that honors American soldiers who died in Europe during World War II.


Bayeux 
This medieval city has survived the war with most of its historic buildings intact, despite being the first French city to be liberated.Bayeux is most famous for its tapestry - whose intricate embroidery tells the story surrounding the conquest of England in 1066. Now housed in the William the Conqueror Centre, the tapestry was made by craftsmen in England and was originally kept in the crypt of the Cathedrale Notre Dame, just a short walk away. This magnificent cathedral is a mixture of original Romanesque architecture - dating from the 11th Century - and later Norman Gothic. The Musée Mémorial du Général de Gaulle is where the wartime leader made his first speech after liberation, while the Musée Mémorial 1944, Bataille de Normandy gives a good overview of the events following D-Day. Opposite is the British War Cemetary. If you are a fan of old buildings, then Bayeaux is a great place to check out well-preserved houses dating as far back as the 15th century.


Mont Saint Michel

The first Abbey was built at Mont St Michel in the 8th Century. Since then this granite rock has become home to a plethora of churches, towers and fortifications, and is today France's biggest tourist attraction outside Paris.

The breathtaking Romanesque church at the top of the mount dates from the 12th Century, its crypt being the earlier chapel. On the north side is La Merveille (The Marvel), a monastery recognised as being one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in France.

The Mount has never succumbed to invasion, thanks to its extensive network of ramparts, watch-towers, gatehouses and fortified courtyards.

The town itself has a collection of crêperies and souvenir shops, mostly aroung the grand rue, which gets packed in season.

  ________________________________________________________________________________

 Prices:

• Claude Monet's Garden @ Giverny 9 euros