This
morning we set off to explore Rouen,
where
Joan of Arc spent the last days of her life.
Joan
of Arc, (1412
- 1431) is a national heroine of France,
at
age 18 she led the French army
to
victory over the English at Orléans.
Captured
a year later on charges of heresy
Joan, was subsequently burned at the stake in Rouen.
Joan, was subsequently burned at the stake in Rouen.
We
visited Eglise Jeanne d'Arc,
completed
in 1979 at the Place du Vieux Marché,
the
very site where Joan of Arc was martyred.
She
was burned at the stake in the centre of the square.
This
simple cross marks the spot where she died.
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Next
stop, just around the corner was a lovely flower and food market!
This
last photo features a shop that only sold butter.
We
bought some yummy things for our dinner tonight as well as
a
baguette, ham, avocado, lettuce, cheese and tomato
to
put together for our lunch.
We
took it all back to the apartment,
and
were surprised to find that a parcel had been delivered!
Daniel
and Sonia, our wonderful airbnb hosts in San Sebastian,
had
apparently contacted Airbnb.
When
we're on long trips like this we like to base ourselves
in
one place for four or five days and we've had lots of
great
experiences with airbnb...this was the icing on the cake!
…......................................................................................................
We
wandered down the
Rue de Gros-Horloge
that
leads to Rouen cathedral.
Halfway
along this charming route of cobblestone streets
and
half-timbered houses,
the
Tour du Gros-Horloge adjoins a Renaissance pavilion.
The
Gothic belfry tower was built in 1389
for
defensive purposes and the decorative clock dates from 1889.
The
belfry clock still serves its timekeeping functions for the city.
The
clock has incredible details.
The
deity symbolizing the day of the week appears
on
a triumphal chariot at noon.
A
globe above the dial shows the phases of the moon,
and
sheep represent the wool industry.
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In
the heart of the old town, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame
is
one of the largest and most impressive Gothic cathedrals in France.
The
cathedral's main structure was built in the 13th century
but
the building was not completed until the 16th century.
The
elaborate facade, inspired Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
He
painted the scene at different times of day to capture
the
effects of various lighting.
The
cathedral also boasts France's highest spire at 151 meters.
Tomb
of Richard I of England (d1199).
This is one of three tombs to
Richard the Lionheart (Duke of Normandy),
this one is said to contain his heart.…............................................................................................
The
Palais
de Justice houses
the Rouen Law Courts
and
was the meeting place of the Parliament of Normandy.
This
Gothic masterpiece was built by Roulland Le Roux in 1508-1509,
damaged during World War II, and subsequently restored.
The
central wing features a resplendent balustrade,
soaring
pinnacles, and perforated buttresses.
The
Palais de Justice was damaged
during
an Allied bombing in 1944 and the shell holes
are
still visible in the building's walls...
you'll
see them in the bottom right hand corner of the photo above.
…...........................................................................
To
finish today a few of the
details
that Andrew observed today...
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We
walked 11.7 k's today.
