Rouen, France

We started our trip in Rouen, France.  Rouen is France's 5th largest port and Europe's biggest food exporter.  50% of the city was destroyed during WWII, but most of the historic center survived.

This is the view we saw after popping our heads up from the underground parking garage.

Notre- Dame Cathedral

Really hard to get a good picture of the whole building.  The architecture is Gothic.

This cast iron spire, made in the late 1800s, is 490 feet, the tallest in France.

Notable inside the cathedral....there is a tomb that contains Richard the Lionheart's heart.  The rest of him is buried elsewhere.

Rouen is also known for it's half timbered architecture.

Real estate is at a premium, as you were taxed by how wide your home was, so homes were skinny and tall.

Even the McDonalds is half timbered! :)

 Also, Rouen is known as the site of Joan of Arc's execution.

 And this cross nearby marks the spot where the towns guillotine once stood.

  Other interesting sites....  this Big Clock, circa 1528.

We were not in Rouen for long.  Just enough time to grab some lunch, do a walking tour.....

.....grab a snack (chocolate eclair!), and head to Honfleur, France.