Iconic monuments. National heroes. Incroyable food.
You’ll find this all on the banks of the Seine. But we’re not talking about Paris – we’re talking about Rouen, the capital of Normandy.
Described by Victor Hugo as ‘La Ville aux cent clochers’, if you want to inspire your students with a visit to a staggeringly beautiful French city, Rouen’s hard to beat. In fact, it’s only beaten by Paris in terms of the number of historic monuments here. But (unlike Paris) the centre is compact and easily walkable, making it a great alternative for a school trip, especially for groups of younger students.
They’ll love exploring the cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and impressive Gothic cathedral. They’ll be swept up in the story of national hero Joan of Arc, whose memory is kept alive here in the city where she was burnt at the stake by the English. And they’ll be inspired by the Impressionists on visits to Monet’s Garden at Giverny and the city’s Fine Arts Museum.
Plus, as the capital of the bountiful region of Normandy, there’s no chance your group’s going to go hungry on this trip – even the pickiest of kids won’t be able to resist the incredible culinary delights that await them in Rouen. On y va?
