Rouen, France

Today we started another big adventure to northern France. This would be our fourth time to this amazing country, but this time we are actually driving down and taking the Eurotunnel Train out of Folkestone. Since we just bearly made our ferry out of Dover we thought we'd get to Folkestone plenty early. We didn't intend to get there a whole hour early but it gave the kids some time to play and run about to break up our 5 1/2 hours of driving today.

The Eurotunnel train was AWESOME! It was so much faster to board and definitely much quicker to cross (only 30 minutes compared to the 1 1/2 hours on the ferry). You drive your car right onto the train and then you roll down the windows and ride along. We enjoyed our packed lunch while we rode along.

Now I had taken over driving for Kevin just outside of Stanstead and was still in the driver's seat when we got out off the train in Calais, France (he was still seriously jet lagged after being in the States all last week). So as I drove off it was okay, until we got to the first round about and then everything felt totally wrong! I have become so used to driving on the left side of the road in my right side drive car and now to be on the right side with my car was so confusing to my subconscious. I had to focus really hard and it took me a good half hour before I could muster up the courage to go the 120 km/hr speed limit (80 mph) on the motorways. I got pretty confident again but then we hit the city streets of Rouen (our first stop). With the help of "Jane" and Kevin I was able to find us a car park in the city centre without bumping into anyone or anything.

Rouen is the historic capital of Normandy and loaded with amazing stories. Once Anglo-Saxon capital of France and England it was also the famous site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. The commanding skyline attraction is the Notre Dame Cathedral so that is what we checked out first. One of the most famous French artists, Claude Monet, was inspired so much by this ornate building that he painted pictures of it almost 30 times!

The cathedral is free to go into and it was by far one of the most amazing cathedrals we've seen (and we've seen a lot by now.) One cool thing was the line up of stone statues of all the saints.

This is the tomb that contains the heart of King Richard "The Lionheart."

Lately in any churches or cathedrals that we visit the kids are keen on lighting a candle. I know it is just the fact of getting to light them that sparks their interest but we make a point to say a little prayer together as a family after lighting it to thank God for the opportunity to be in the place that we are in.

The streets of central Rouen are just amazing to look at as they are narrow and filled bordered with buildings that lean to and fro. Rouen was heavily bombed in the Second World War so many of the now timbered buildings have been rebuilt, but it still feels like you are in medieval times.

The Gros Horloge is a 16th century clock that arches across Gros Horloge street which is filled with loads of high street shops. This astronomical clock has two faces that indicate the phases of the moon and the days of the week.

Walking along we came to the Tour Jeanne d'Arc where Joan of Arc was brought in 1431.

The kids are sitting in the very spot where this amazing woman was tortured for her religious beliefs. History books say that Joan, a peasant girl, received visions at a very young age, 14, that she as to lead the French army against the English rule at the end of the Hundred Year's War. She convinced the army to let her lead troops into battle which they were victorious and lead to Charles the VII to take over the crown. She was captured and sold the the English who tried her and burnt her at the stake. They made sure that now remains left as to not let any part of her exist. Several years later the pope found her innocent and she was considered a martyr and named one of the patron saints of France. Here are the kids next to the modern day Place du Vieux Marché (Joan of Arc church) errected at the site at which she was killed.

Walking by the Palais de Justice was haunting as they left walls standing that had sustained much damage from attacks during World War II on D-Day.

Of course no day would be complete without some ice cream and this again was some of the best strawberry ice cream I've ever had and I don't like strawberry ice cream.

We took a walk back past the cathedral to check out some other interesting points. On the corner piece of the Église St.-Maclou is a peculiar little fountain with two little boys peeing and a big face with water spitting out. The kids thought it was pretty funny.

Just down from that church was Aître St.-Maclou which is a curiously decorated cemetery dating from the Great Plague in the 14th century. It doesn't look at all like a cemetery today, but more like a hang out for really artsy people.

But if you look closer at the carvings on the timbers there are signs that death was in this place very long ago. See all the skeletons, cross bones and weapons displayed.

Before we left I had to take quick picture of the public toilets. Almost all public toilets in France seem to be pay toilets, so you need to have your change ready. I just think it was funny that they were under ground.

We then drove on to Caen where our next two nights' stay would be as we explored the beaches of Normandy and World War II's D-Day. We had a little kitchenette in our room so I had brought along things to make us a nice spaghetti dinner which we quite enjoyed!!!