Rouen: That's Some Big Clock

On our way to Arromanches, we stopped in Rouen to walk around and find some lunch because everyone was ravenous. 

Rouen is a 2,000 year old city -- most famous for the death of St. Joan of Arc who was burned at the stake in 1431.  It also has a really big and really old clock (c. 1528) that only has 1 hand for the hour -- close enough, I guess.  You can find it on rue de gros horloge or the road of the big clock. 

We followed the rue until we came to the Cathedral of Notre Dame which was built from 1200 to 1500 and almost destroyed by bombing during WWII (and since rebuilt).  The Cathedral is being restored (cleaned) to remove the centuries of grime that has accumulated.  Its gothic spires seemed to touch the sky. 

Tom loved this gothic cathedral and almost every other cathedral we visited.  He said to me, "Wow, mom, this is nothing like our church at home.  And, it's so old."  Tom started taking pictures in Rouen and didn't stop until we left -- over 600 photos on his camera.

Vaulted ceiling, organ, rose window -- mostly clear glass because the orignal was destroyed during WWII.  I loved these stairs. 

And gargoyles smiled at us on our way to a cafe . . .where Tom enjoyed a petit salade for the first time and pronounced it "bon."  "Mom, we don't have salad dressing like this at home!"  I guess I am going to have to master making a vinagrette.

Recharged and fueled, we pressed on to Arromanches.