We had been to Rouen, France, several years ago, and I was determined to return! We have not been disappointed! Rouen, like many cities in Europe, has a cobblestoned medieval center. There is something special about Rouen. Its half-timbered buildings stand proudly . Almost around every turn there are gothic spires and massive gothic buildings clad in marble. Bells peal regularly. The Roman Catholic Notre Dame cathedral is immense, and its many entrances have amazingly delicate statuary on the portals. Rollo, the great Viking warrior and first Duke of Normandy, is buried within. His Royal line influenced history over and over again. One would think that with such a large church there would be few others in the vicinity; however, within easy walking distance other huge churches appear. They are all beautiful. Hotels and government buildings are interspersed and have appealing architecture. High-end department stores and small speciality shops along with outdoor cafes and bistros add to the city’s charm. Rouen is a special place! 

I was able to find the restaurant at which we had eaten the last time we were here. I had one goal in mind–drink the cherry beer! It was still here and on tap–tap is the best way to drink cherry beer–it is not the same from a bottle or can. Kathy is not a fan–she said it tastes like Luden’s cough drops–Oh, how I love Luden’s cough drops! We have had a wonderful two days strolling and stopping to browse or popping in for a hot chocolate (or cherry beer) or sitting quietly in a beautiful worship space. The sun was bright today and people crowded the outdoor cafes. This has been what I wanted this adventure to be–no rush, just beauty and relaxation. Absolutely, there is something special about Rouen. 

Getting out of Rouen was something else! We did not know that the city marathon was being run and all the streets were blocked around the old town which was where our hotel was located. “No taxi,” we were informed; in fact, no cars at all. We would have to walk all the way to the central train station or walk to the nearest metro rail (about 20 minutes) and ride it to the station with our luggage. We left early to give us wiggle room and walked to the metro station. When we arrived we noticed that the stairs to the metro were three flights deep with no lift, and we had luggage. Wonderfully, a policeman came to our rescue and actually helped carry our luggage down for us. I was able to figure out the ticket machine. We waited ten minutes for our metro to arrive and rode it to the station. Once there, we had to find our platform and, once again, it was several flights down with no lift. A kind passenger helped Kathy with hers, and I struggled mine down. With a sigh of relief we settled into our train seats with four minutes to spare! The helpfulness of the French was amazing and much appreciated! 

We arrived in Amiens, and our hotel held our luggage for us since we arrived so early. We walked immediately to the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame, the largest church building in France. Imposing, yes, but also beautiful! The entrance portals are stunning with hundreds of statues of Biblical characters and scenes. They are as beautiful as any we have seen, if not more so. The interior is daunting, with massive side aisles that are larger than many cathedral’s main aisle. The main aisle is immense and tall. Transepts sweep to the sides and numerous large chapels line the whole interior. We were informed that Paris’s Notre Dame could easily fit inside with room to spare. It was Sunday, and most everything was closed; however, we found a Bistro open near the cathedral, and its special was quite appealing–roasted chicken in a tasty sauce, salad, and frites (French fries). We ambled back to the hotel and checked in for a relaxing night. 

Amiens is very different from Rouen. Almost no half-timbered buildings could be seen. Instead, marble and brick buildings in eclectic styles line the streets. Canals run through the city, and we walked along them as we headed to the floating gardens biological area of the city. We purchased tickets for the small canal boat ride (40 minutes) that coursed its way along narrow canals and past all types of vegetation. Small vacation rentals line parts of the canals. Flower season is mainly passed, but the river was clear, the air crisp, the sun shining, and we enjoyed our outing. 

Over the past few days–September 27-30–we have experienced much in areas not heavily touristed in France. Several fascinating items stand out for some reason: *Camembert hamburgers–thick melting Camembert over the beef burger with sautéed onions–a taste bud sensation and regional favorite. *Macaroons–they are advertised as the best in France–double macaroons held together with fruit paste; chocolate-covered macaroons; coconut macaroons–all fantastic. We found the patisserie that is famous for its macaroons and ate our fill! *The phrase, “of the moment,” will be a new vocabulary addition when we return home, as in, “soup of the moment” rather than “of the day.” Travel teaches one much, and I am thankful I am still a learner.