Reims or Rouen?
 

Hi

We want to possibly take a day trip from Paris in February. Considering that weather will probably be a factor, and that we have been to Versailles and Chartres, we are considering the cities or Reims and Rouen.

We are both interested in cathedrals. We will take the TGV. We aren't interested in wine or champagne.

We can't figure out how to pick among these two cities. Can you please help?

Oh, we will probably go on a Wednesday or Thursday.

Reims is a beautiful old city..with a great cathedral, lots of history...however it is geared toward the Champagne trade, which is evident all through the city....but for a short train ride from Paris, with some nice sights and restaurants..very enjoyable..mikek

Both are great day trips. Both have fabulous cathedrals. But I prefer Rouen. I love the old quarter of town (which actually historically is not the old quarter, but you can read up on that). There's a lot more history, IMO, in Rouen, than in Reims. And the food's way better, if that's of interest.

Tuscanlifeedit,
I went to Rouen in 1988. I particularly wanted to see this cathedral because of Monet's paintings.

The cathedral was much lighter inside, like an English cathedral, rather than dusky like Chartres or Notre Dame. The guide told me that this was because the bombings of WWII had caused them to lose a lot (all?) of the stained glass. As they raise the money, they have been replacing plain glass with stained glass. As I recall, the clear glass windows were the higher up ones, further from view. No idea if they've finished replacing the stained glass; it's been another 20 years since my visit!

Also in Rouen, the old clock and the timbered houses were great. I wanted to go to Mass at the cathedral but I missed the time for that. I went to the church right behind the cathedral, St. Maclou, in early evening. Worth stopping in.

There is a modern church commemorating Joan of Arc, which was interesting, but I had hoped there'd be a bit more about her.

We did both on one trip (day trips from Paris). The cathedral in Reims is magnificent... but I think I'd go with St.Cirq and say that overall there's more to Rouen.

Rouen. Especially if champagne isn't your thing. Reims is a great place, but Rouen is much more picturesque.

We much preferred Rouen to Reims - both the town and the cathedral. Found much more to do in Rouen - and agree that the food seems better - or at least good food more accessible.

Tuscan, in my opinion. Rouen,

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/f...-cathedral.htm

Deb, the TGV doesn't go to Rouen, but the regular train ride takes less than 2 hrs.

Your trip plans sound great, and how super that you got the good frequent flyer deal; they don't happen very often!

Sue

I found it on the TGV website. Could it be a new route? Very fast trains; without looling it up, I think something like an hour and 8 minutes.

Whadda ya think?

Deb, I should check my facts before I speak. I've done the trip twice, most recently in 2005 (which really isn't 'recent", is it?), and to the best of my recollection the TGV wasn't available for that route. But then, time marches on and things change, and I need to be more current!
S.

Since you want to go by train, Rouen would be the best bet as so many of the principal sights are within walking distance; no car required. Besides the grand athedral, Rouen has a number of other fine churches, and there are beautiful medieval buildings to be seen. That makes for a good day trip.

of the two, another vote for Rouen.... but consider the high speed TGV to Strassbourg for the day... the cathedral is fabulous

I think that the consensus is for Rouen, and since that was DH's first choice, well, I guess Rouen it is.

Good train connections, a nice town and cathedral, what more could I want?

Any good recs for lunch?

Les Jardins du Vieux Marché and Chez Philippe.

For pre-trip reading, get Julia Child's "My Life in France." Her first great French meal was in Rouen, and the excitement comes through in her wonderful prose.

Underhill, La Couronne was where she had that meal.