Even though we will be in Paris for no more than 5 to 7 days in December, I am considering a trip (by train) to Rouen. Can anyone speak to what this will be like (other than cold and wet) in December? I have written papers on Debussy%26#39;s La cathédrale engloutie, which is based on Monet%26#39;s painting of the cathedral, and I have performed the Debussy work, so I feel the need to make a pilgrimage. Add to the that the fact that my partner is an architect in love with Gothic cathedrals, and perhaps you get why this may be worth our while.
Is the cathedral open to the public every day? Does anyone have any advice about the visit to Rouen?
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It is an easy train ride. I%26#39;ve only been in the town for a VERY quick visit, as we stopped for lunch en route elsewhere. The Cathedral wasnice and there is a quaint enough commercial area around it . Bit of a working class feel, not yet overly gentrified. Cathedrals are generally open every day.
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Rouen is an easy trip for the day, you can leave your things in Paris, take a train to Rouen in the morning, and come back end-afternoon. About 1h trip each way if you take direct trains.
The cathedrale is great, and also many old narrow streets with houses from the Middle-Ages (see …free.fr/image/rouen/fr_rouen_horloge.jpg
or
…free.fr/image/rouen/fr_rouen_stromain.jpg
(pics are not mine!) for samples
I am impressed that someone in Texas knows so many things about Rouen, it is not among the usual tourist favorites...but it has a lot of charm. I don%26#39;t pretend it%26#39;s among the compulsory French places one should not miss, but as a 1-day side trip from Paris that%26#39;s probably the %26quot;easiest of the nicest%26quot; (my other favorites would be castles in the countryside, where you need a car and a good map or GPS!).
Enjoy your trip!
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Hello sdallenhou,
Only visited Rouen for a day.........well half a day. Should be easy to get there by train from gare St. Lazare.....probably about an hours trip. We drove in so I am not sure where the train station is, but I have a feeling you can get to the old section and the cathedral easily. You might like to find a map of the area so you can find your way around.
The cathederal is great. Surprised me that it sits right on a fairly large square and is surrounded by buildings. Dont know why, I just thought from Monet%26#39;s paintings it was set apart from the town. Seems to me there was a museum right there on the square featuring explanations of Monet%26#39;s works and the church.
It%26#39;s a fairly large city but the old section is not that big. We found our lunch on the chruch square in one of the brasseries there to be really good and reasonable (there are many others in the area). Tis a nice walk through the shopping area too, most stores are closed for lunchtime. . IMO it is not worth going to the site when Jean of Arc was burned..............If you just want to say you have been there, well ok. There is an interesting church right next to that site, which we found intriging.
It should a good day trip......................you could even get back to Paris for dinner.
Enjoy
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Like everyone else said, Rouen is a very easy daytrip. Get a guide book with info. about the town and a map, the old town is very pretty and has some interesting characteristics. Cathedral is very nice, as is the Jeanne d%26#39;Arc museum.
Enjoy it. SHould take 1/2 day or so...depending on how much you want to do.
Les
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