Rouen cruise stopover

The city of dreaming spires, the capital of Normandy, and the most wonderful approach along the meandering Seine.

Your cruise along the river begins by passing under the graceful archway of the Normandy Bridge at the estuary entrance, and continues upstream with the sinuous sinews of the river revealing chalk cliffs on the one side, and adding to the rich alluvial soils on the other. Running the length of it is the “Royal Road” where privileged souls could build beautiful south-facing properties in times past – or great abbeys and churches. tlandscaYou glide past villages and landscapes, Caudebec-en-Caux, the abbeys of Saint Wandrille, Jumièges, Saint-Martin-de-Boscherville, and so many views that have inspired Impressionist painters – you will be able to imagine yourself into their paintings! Then Rouen Cathedral itself comes into view…Thirty paintings later you have your Monet’s worth!

The riches of Rouen are hard to summarise: it was once one of the most prosperous cities of medieval Europe accumulated on the back of the textile industry and the river traffic on the Seine, over which it held a monopoly all the way to Paris. The immense glory of the west front of the cathedral looks down upon the Renaissance “Great Clock” (Gros Horloge) and its medieval street that leads on to the Old Market Square ever associated with the burning desire of the English to have done with Joan of Arc. Its cobbled streets invite exploration as your eye is led to the effusions of the flamboyant gothic churches of Saint-Maclou and Saint-Ouen. So many hidden treasures in its many museums, and “shop until you drop” should you choose…

The cruise terminal in Rouen has every facility for the reception of your passengers and the maintenance of your boat. There are 4 quays able to receive ships up to 270 metres in length, with an 8.4m freshwater draught. It is just a 30 minute walk to the city centre, but of course there is a shuttle laid on!