About this experience
Rouen is a medieval city that became the final refuge of the Maid of Orléans; a major port where French King Henry II played 'naval battle'; a creative space that brought worldwide fame to Gustave Flaubert, Guy de Maupassant, Theodore Géricault, and Claude Monet. During an evening walk through the historic center, I will show you the main attractions of the city and tell captivating stories, ancient legends, and interesting facts that will help you better understand human life in the Middle Ages and, of course, the characteristics of contemporary French mentality.
Program
I will tell you:
- the true reasons behind Jeanne d’Arc’s burning and whether she was a royal daughter;
- how, where, and by whom the most famous Norman dish, duck a la Rouennaise, is prepared;
- what medieval men feared most and how their fears materialized;
- why the fire salamander, bellicose hedgehog, and snowy marmot became royal favorites;
- who and why first wore a white dress for a wedding and began to adorn themselves with diamonds;
- the history of the most popular French sweets - almond macaroons, cream puffs éclairs, and layered 'mille-feuille';
- the hidden meaning of the relief dedicated to Louis XV near the Great Belfry Clocks;
- the exact spot from where Claude Monet painted the famous 'Rouen Cathedral' series, as well as his second (after painting, of course!) passion;
- an example of true male friendship - between the French literary classics Gustave Flaubert and Ivan Turgenev;
- many interesting details, such as why the French love to spend time with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine at cafe tables (yes, there is a historical explanation to this as well)!
Thus, you will gain a better understanding of life in medieval France, as well as the French mentality, learn many unexpected details about the city's attractions, and be completely charmed by the beauty of the evening Rouen!
Route
- Old Market Square - the hallmark of the historic center of Rouen
- Site of the legendary Joan of Arc's burning and the inquisitors' tribunal
- The oldest restaurant in France 1345 A.D. (truth be told, in Europe too!)
- Church of Saint Eloa and its unique 'human' gargoyle
- Renaissance mansion of the early 16th century, the finance minister of King Francis I - the only 5-star hotel in Rouen
- Rue du Gros Horloge - the first pedestrian street in France
- Astronomical belfry clocks - the oldest mechanical urban clocks in continental Europe (1389)
- Chamber of the Chessboard
- Rouen Cathedral and the Financial Bureau
- Church of Saint-Maclou - a masterpiece of Rouen's 'flaming gothic'
- Abbey of Saint-Ouen - a place favored by Vikings as early as the 9th century
- Equestrian statue of Napoleon Bonaparte and the city hall
- Monuments to Gustave Flaubert and Claude Monet
- At the end of the walk, I will invite you to participate in a playful game, thanks to which the complex French language will become almost native to you :-)
Organizational Details
- Meeting Point: Old Market Square (Rouen, Place du Vieux Marche). Start of the tour: at your convenient time after 6:00 p.m. (by prior arrangement).
- In summer and September, the tour can end at the square in front of the Rouen Cathedral, so you can enjoy the captivating laser show projected on its vaults.
