🏰🌹 Rouen Cathedral Summer Visit: A Gothic Masterpiece in Normandy

#summervacay 📍 Why Visit in Summer? Made famous by Monet’s 30+ paintings, this 12th-century cathedral dazzles with its lace-like façade, stained glass, and summer light shows. Summer brings long daylight hours to admire its details and fewer crowds than Parisian churches. 🗓️ Half-Day Itinerary: Art, History & Cafés Morning: Cathedral Wonders 9:00 AM – Arrive Early (opens at 8 AM; quietest time). Marvel at the Tour de Beurre (Butter Tower), funded by wealthy locals who ate butter during Lent. See the tomb of Richard the Lionheart (his heart is buried here!). 10:30 AM – Monet’s Spot Stand where he painted (corner of Rue du Gros Horloge) and compare the real thing to his impressions. Midday: Medieval Streets & Lunch 12:00 PM – Lunch at Les Nymphéas Duck confit or Norman apple tart near the Gros Horloge (astronomical clock). 1:30 PM – Historic Walk Joan of Arc sites: Place du Vieux-Marché (where she was burned) and Historial Jeanne d’Arc. Afternoon: Hidden Gems 3:00 PM – Saint-Maclou Church A flamboyant Gothic gem with a creepy ossuary (Aître Saint-Maclou). 4:30 PM – Cathedral Light Show (July-Aug, 10 PM) Return at dusk for projections of Monet’s paintings on the façade. 🌞 Summer Perks: ✅ Longer Hours: Open until 7 PM (vs. 6 PM off-season). ✅ Festivals: Rouen Armada (June 2025, tall ships) or Cathedral concerts. ✅ Secret Spot: Climb the Saint-Romain Tower for city views (limited access). 📌 Pro Tips: Train: 1h10 from Paris Saint-Lazare (direct). Parking: Pôle des Chartreux (€2/hr, 10-min walk). Dress Code: Cover shoulders/knees inside. "Rouen Cathedral isn’t just stone—it’s where Monet chased light and history echoes in vaulted shadows." Ready to step into a painting? 🎨⛪