Rouen

At 6:20 am we were in the car and heading for Douai station. This was to meet the 07:16 am, which was the only direct train of the day to Rouen. Trackwork had added buses and hassles to the rest of the day.

Our train was a 3 carriage inter city train. It started in Lille and we were lucky enough to get 2 seats right opposite the toilet with our suitcases between our knees and no breathing room. After one stop, the guy a few seats up got off, we moved seats and the cyclists taking up all the space where luggage could go, moved their bikes so we could fit our luggage.

The weather seemed a bit rainy but the forecast was good for our arrival. Only 15 minutes late, we arrived and decided to walk to our hotel, a couple of km away. Of course the heavens opened, but a 5 minute stop in a bus shelter saved us.

Hotel eventually found, we dumped our luggage, visited the old town, lunched with sandwiches and drinks from Carrefour (our go to least expensive lunch) and were saddened by the high percentage of shops that close on Monday. A walk along the river, a nap once checked in and dinner at a little Vietnamese restaurant, who I feel really needed our business.

Oh, the astronomical clock was not as good as the last one and I have no idea where that was. It's been a long holiday.

I've been lazy. We saw a big church, Joan of ark (Arc) stuff (Noah's daughter?) and the Seine.

Oh, and I went to an art gallery (free entry with a free toilet). Worth it. We saw the impressionists. I have culture.