We set off this morning for Rouen, a real city just down the Seine River (but north of our timeshare about 20 miles). Rouen is divided by the river where the south side is mostly industrial and the north side is the old historic part of the city. Much of the south side was a big bulls-eye for the allied bombers in WWII. The north side was largely spared but did have some damage. Three guesses which of the two sides we headed for?

Finding a parking spot was a bit of a challenge but the marriage survives . We ended up parking somewhere and when we emerged from the underground car park we immediately started shooting pictures of a massive church, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Unfortunately, when we couldn't get in, we asked and found out it was some other big church, we never did get the name. We were directed down the street a few blocks. At least we were no longer lost! But the Cathedral was still our first real stop.

What we learned as we walked to the cathedral is that Rouen is an absolutely charming city. Because it was an English province during the Hundred Years War (long time ago), it has the Tudor exposed wood architecture everywhere. Lots of walking streets, cafes, shops, McDonalds, etc.  

Joan of Arc, better known locally as Sainte Jeanne d'Arc, was not that fond of the city! This is where she was tried for heresy and burned at the stake. There is now a beautiful new church on the site and a big marked area where you can take out your Zippo and relive the moment .  

So we saw that spot and, finally, the Cathedral, and a mess of beautiful streets as we wandered around. You'll see the pictures. The Gros Horloge is the arch with the guilder clock. The Palais de Justice was impressive and took some heavy hits by the allied bombers but weathered the storm. Just like a broken nose on a boxer, the damage just added to its character!

We had lunch at a really swell sidewalk cafe. Everything is in French of course so who knows what it might be! Today was no exception. Our appetizer was a nice salad with a "patty" of chopped raw beef marinated in some kind of dressing and those little green things, kippers or something like that. I thought it was tasty, Dayna didn't think much of it (the raw meat, you know, can cause salmonella, or worse). However, the main course was a good recovery. I had something like a flank steak with burgundy sauce, Dayna had a fish dish with two different kinds of fish and veggies . We both scarfed it all down. There is an adventure around every corner; but never forget, the bread is always good!

After lunch we strolled up to Le Gare. That's train station for you from the New World. That's where we turn in our car tomorrow morning. Just wanted to check it out and see what the game plan is going to be. Good thing we did. The plan is more complicated than an NFL game plan. It all involves finding the parking area . . . glad we stopped in. Our marriage may not have survived this exercise without a day of practice!

Finally, back to the car and out of the city before the rush hour. A stop at our favorite bread shop and then a stop at a little grocery for wine and cheese (we are good on meat) and we are ready to picnic!

Dayna also found a nail place next to the bread shop so she is off getting a French nail job while I do some overdue laundry, downstairs in the laundry room. It is 7:30 p.m. and she should be back any minute. The French dine, or picnic, late anyway.

Tomorrow we catch the train to Paris.