First published April 2016 The façade of a ship owner’s manor house overlooking the turquoise water of quai de la Batellerie in Saint-Valery-en-Caux, reveal nearly everything of importance about its fine owner. Above the door are a few words, fashioned long ago, that roughly say: 'L’an mil cinq cent quarante c'est maison fut
Tag: rouen
A wicked cab ride around Rouen, with Madame Bovary
First published December 2015 This wonderfully tinted 1918 photo is a postcard of Rouen cathedral where Madame Bovary, bored Normandy Housewife of Gustave Flaubert’s famous novel, behaved so atrociously that in 1856 the author was put on trial for obscenity. What on earth did he write?! This was his debut novel set
Fresh gleanings in Rouen – 19th century guest post!
This week our guest blogger is Donald G. Mitchell who adds a personal view of Rouen to some rather lovely etchings and drawings by Charles Pinet. Donald was an American traveler, essayist and novelist who usually wrote under the pen name Lk Marvel. Donald's wonderful descriptive article about Rouen in the
A morsel of perfection, for Julia Child in Rouen
The vanity bell of the Tour de Beurre, at Rouen Cathedral
Match! Sculptures of Adam and Eve on the Tour de Beurre, Rouen cathedral The history of Rouen cathedral is one of stubbornness in the face of Vikings, fire, lightning strikes, falling spires and destructive wars. First an unremarkable riverside church in the 4th century, a determined clergy and Rouennaise people have