Dieppe never loses its charm for us. In April 2022 we sailed as foot passengers on the DFDS ferry from Newhaven, a five hour journey, docking by the harbour just outside the charming marina shown in the pictures. Anne Twisleton and I were extremely privileged to spend three days at the Egg Hotel, our base for new exploration of Dieppe as well as for an excursion on the train to Rouen.

 

One highlight of Anne Twisleton and my visit to Dieppe last week was an evening meal at Restaurant Le Galion on the quayside. We earned our meal by a walk on the beach into stormy winds which built a good appetite. Anne enjoyed the Camembert fondue and I the bowl of fish soup entree, shown in the picture, washed down with St Emilion white wine. 

Angels guard the Blessed Sacrament in Rouen Cathedral which is itself under constant reconstruction. Anne Twisleton and I were able to visit and pray there last week before midday closure. Rouen like Coventry was victim of bombing during World War II. The square altar succeeds the traditional high altar reconsecrated 25 June 1956 in ceremonies ending with adoration of the Eucharistic Bread.

In April 1944 Rouen Cathedral lay under the stronghold of the Germans. Its bombardment by the Allies turned the tide but reduced this architectural masterpiece to ruins as 6000 shells rained down and 600 tons of explosive crashed into the city leaving 1,200 dead and thousands injured. On account of sinful humanity history repeats itself but God’s love is inexhaustible in its face.

Floating umbrellas down one of the ancient streets of Rouen where Anne Twisleton and I had taken a day trip. Its a cathedral city and the prefecture of the region of Normandy. Rouen was one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe and regularly then in the possession of England as the Cathedral tomb of King Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199) reminded us.

In April 2022 we made a day trip to Rouen from our stay in Dieppe. Walking down from the station first sight was the 13th century Donjon designed to withstand long sieges. St Joan of Arc (1412-31) was led there after her capture to be subject to instruments of torture. During World War II the Germans transformed the Donjon into a bunker.

Strolling round Rouen the other day Anne Twisleton and I came across the Great Clock installed in the fine Renaissance arch crossing over the street named after it, Rue du Gros-Horloge. The mechanism dates back to 1389 which makes it the oldest in France. Its facade was added 1529 and it was electrified in the 1920s.

Some sightseeing in Rouen the other day with Anne Twisleton enjoying our reward afterwards. Not sure of the significance of the contemporary wall painting but it seemed to fit, as so many varied features fit in a town rebuilt after the Allied bombing of 1944. The palette is a local pancake containing English breakfast items!

Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was burned to death May 30, 1431, at age 19. The site of her burning in Rouen is marked by the tall cross and adjacent church. National heroine of France, a peasant girl, believing that she was acting under divine guidance, St Joan led the French army in a momentous victory at Orléans that repulsed an English attempt to conquer France during the Hundred Years’ War. We noticed in her Chapel at Rouen Cathedral, which has a lovely commemorative statue and windows, a plaque acknowledging the church’s misuse of power in the abuse of young people.