Pont-de-l'Arche and Rouen

The medieval town of Pont-de-l'Arche was once completely fortified with two castles, one on either side of the river Seine: the Castle of Limaie on the right bank and the medieval fortified citadel on the left bank.  The only remaining parts are the Church Tower, the CUrtain and the Crosne Tower.

Notre-Dame-de-Arts-Church, founded in the 16th century is richly decorated 

Baroque 17th century altar

The great organ, a gift from Henry IV

Choir stalls from BOnport Abbey

The 12 Lions symbolize the kingship of Christ and evoke Richard the Lionheart Founder Bonport in 1190

Beautiful stained glass

Local market with produce

Along Le quai de Verdun you can see lovely old half timbered houses and remnants of the town walls

The Seine

Tower de Crosner

The last remains of the four medieval gates.  The towers lower section can still be seen. 

The original 9th century bridge built across the Seine by Charles the Bald, King of France.  The bridge was destroyed seven times, the latest built in 1955.  Looks nothing like this one. 

Lunch at another Creperie

Headed home to pack up for Rouen tomorrow.

A few pictures around the resort

Rouen

Ok, turning the rental car in was the biggest trauma of the Normandy driving experience.  We found the train station in Rouen with no problem.  We found the parking lot for cars, but no signs to return rental cars.  Terry jumps out to go ask the Hertz rental agency while I sit parked illegally next to a church (hoping God is going to let me stay here until she gets back).  Terry comes back and tells us its a holiday and no one is on duty, so we just drop the key and contract in the Hertz slot.  Still don't know where to park the car.  She spoke to another guy turnng in a key at a different rental car and he told her you have to go in the regular parking lot.  So we circle the block and enter the parking garage where we take a ticket to park.  The guy said we needed to go down to level 2.  We finally see a sign for Hertz, but it has an arm down over the ramp, which required us to insert the ticket we got at the entrance to the parking garage to get in.   We go down the teeniest tiny ramp 

to level one and still no signs for rental cars.  Looks like you can only go one way, so I drive down the aisle and at the end are two ramps down, one on each side.  I start down and it is really narrow, so I decide I might not want to go down.  I backed up very carefully, with the rear bumper beeper going off every second telling me I was near an obstacle.  I might have to kill that beeper.  Terry got out and went on a recon of both ramps and still saw no sign of rental car returns.  She finally headed back up toward the ramp we came down and tucked in behind it is another ramp down.  She walks down a ways and says she sees signs.  By this time my 5 day deodorant has gone into its 6th day.  But down we go and another tiny little ramp

and thank you Lord Jesus there is a Hertz sign at last

Only one hurtle left and that is to get the vehicle, which appeared to be a mid size compact Ford, and has suddenly turned into a tank in the teeny weeny parking space provided by Hertz.  We unload the passengers and all the bags as there is no room to maneuver in the parking space,, and I'm only gonna do this one time.  I back around and with the bumper beeper going off every time I move the car, I finally managed to back it in most of the way without taking any paint off.

Ours is the one sticking out in the aisle the furthest.  Not taking any chances with that back bumper. Ha.  Never been so happy to get out of a car.

As we made our way up to the walkway across to the train station, we saw these footprints that tell you where to find your rental car whenn you pick it up.  

Alas they were not in evidence when we turned the car in.  I need a drink and its only 10:00 AM.

Just to let you know,  we did not have the presence of mind to take pictures during the actual event.  To nerve wracking.  Ha .  Terry went and took the above when we returned to the train station the next morning to go to Avignon.

Our hotel "The Hotel Bonapart" and we are back on foot power

He really was short.  My sis is only 5'1"

Can't check in until 3:00 PM, so we are off to explore a little of Rouen

Chocolate shops

Palace of Justice (we saw a girl in handcuffs being led inside)

The Clock tower

Since its construction in the late 14th century, the Gothic belfry has housed the town's bells and clock, the latter being a simple mechanism meant to sound the bells on the hour, half-hour and quarter-hour.

both sides very ornate

Real People art.  They want money for pictures or just if you like what they are doing.  There doesn't appear to be anything holdng the girl up on his head, but there must be.

Flower markets galore

Tiny Merry-go-rounds

The square where Joan of Arc was burned.  The modern church was not open, but we walked all around it

The cross on the site of her death

This modern church was built to honor Saint Joan of Arc 

Lunch at a nearby cafe

The Rouen Cathedral (yes another one) I swear there is a cathedral in every town no matter the size.

The Rouen Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Gothic cathedral.  It is the seat of the Archbishop of Rouen and Normandy.

Still pretty magnificent

The stained glass gorgeous

The staircase was different

Monument to Joan of Arc

More goodies

Bizarre mannequins

Cute shops

More half-timbered houses

Yet another church (not open)

Check in at last.  Rested a bit then went out to dinner at a so so italian restaurant.  Back to the hotel for an early rise tomorrow to catch the train to Avignon, our new home.