Day 246. 66km (83290kms 7yrs)
Over breakfast we chatted French retirement and families, before I used René’s pump on my tyres. Leaving Vernon back through the town I was pleased to be able to visit the little colombage watermill I’d passed the previous evening. Next to it a small chateau just sitting there as if it were completely normal to be a beautiful little castle beside the river, the whole scene looked like an image from a child’s story book.
Quickly deterred by muddy conditions on the path beside the river I reverted to the road. You can follow the Seine but it meanders so extravagantly that it almost doubles the distance to Rouen. Instead I climbed 200m or so up and over the chalk cliffs, descending back down to Pont-Saint-Pierre where the river returned to meet the straight road. Here I had the cheese and baguette meal I’ve been missing while my hosts feed me so well, before climbing up and over a second small ridge and descending into Rouen. By now it was 24C, and with a tailwind I couldn’t have hoped for lovelier weather.
Down a street of terraced brick houses which wouldn’t at all have been out of place in England, I arrived into Rouen and wow! How have I never heard of the gorgeous town?! It’s sooo lovely; a beautifully restored medieval quarter surrounding yet another impossible tall gothic cathedral. I wandered open-mouthed – seeing only a fraction of what it has to offer – until it was time to meet my final French hosts, arriving just as it started to rain. Together we ate a quick (by French standards 😆) meal before I was shown to my room with – I kid you not – a blanket decorated with 🇬🇧 union jacks 🇬🇧 on the bed!
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3 Comments
Why have I not visited the astonishingly beautiful Rouen? I have driven through it several times without stopping, but, thanks to you, I will now definitely take the time to sightsee. The city is so lucky that it missed the ravages of World War 2, unlike Caen. Enjoy your last day in France,
Stunning.❤
Last year i cycled English channel – Paris on my way home but drove a very different route than you even though i also mainly followed the Seine. How are you planning your routes? How do you find the places you would like to visit?