Rouen is the capital of Normandy, a cultural, gastronomic and historic center set along the river Seine’s winding route between Paris and the Channel. The Gothic Cathedral of Notre Dame is the city’s signature landmark, soaring high over the restored medieval quarter, a delightful pedestrian district of cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, and many old churches. A stroll along the Rue du Gros Horloge takes you under a Renaissance archway adorned with a gilded medieval clock for which this central street is named. The Place du Vieux Marche is a lively gathering place, thanks to the many cafes with open-air seating. A modern church in the square marks the spot where France’s great heroine, Joan of Arc, was burned at the stake in 1431. Make time for one of Rouen’s fine museums, which range from the innovative Panorama XXL on the revitalized riverfront, to the Musée des Beaux-Arts, with its outstanding Impressionist collection.
