Fifty tall ships from all over the world will be moored along the 7 kilometres of the Seine quay in Rouen for 10 days.
Held every four years, the Rouen Armada is a unique international maritime event with 6 million visitors, more than 30 nationalities and nearly 7,000 sailors
A tourist festival in the heart of Normandy: From 8 to 18 June, the tall ships can be visited free of charge and everyone can attend numerous events including the sailors' parade in the city centre, the sailors' race, the "boat" race, street performances, concerts, fireworks, the grand parade and much more.
A business destination: the Armada is also an opportunity for companies to rent the most prestigious sailing ships in the evening as venues for professional events.
The economic impact of the Armada is estimated at 50 million euros for the Normandy region
Environmental protection: thanks to a charter signed with its partners and rigorous management of its commitments, the 2023 Armada will be an event with zero non-recycled waste and zero plastic pollution.
At the same time, the event will use its popularity to raise awareness about environmental issues related to oceans and rivers. First started in 2022, an annual scientific symposium is organised on World Oceans Day, 8 June, in partnership with the Ocean Institute of the Sorbonne University Alliance.
A cultural event: culture is also in the spotlight for this edition under the patronage of Michel Bussi, a famous French author translated into 37 languages.
The Rouen Armada is in essence a popular cultural event in the heart of Normandy, promoting maritime culture in the birthplace of Impressionism.
There will be street artists performing shows with a connection to maritime history and the Armada will help inspire exclusive short stories.
Already done Versailles and Monet's Gardens? Then look into these five excursions about an hour from the City of Light.
Taking a day trip from Paris
is as easy as hopping a train in any direction. If you've already
visited Versailles or Monet's gardens at Giverny, consider these
less-traveled castles, medieval towns, affordable Michelin dining, and
stunning cathedrals. Here are our top five picks, just around an hour
away from Paris.
Head north of Paris, taking the train from Gare du Nord, to get to Chantilly.
The town's chateau dates to the Middle Ages, even though the present
structure was mostly the result of 19th century construction by the son
of France's last king.
The chateau houses France's largest collection of Renaissance
paintings after the Louvre, though in a much more intimate setting. The
outdoor 18th century hamlet is the spot to get a bowl of strawberries
and whipped cream—called, appropriately, Chantilly—when the weather
permits. The most striking feature of the chateau, however, is actually
the stable, which many mistake for the castle. It contains the Horse
Museum and also sports an arena for dressage demonstrations featuring
well-trained ponies, dogs, and horses.
One of the best ways to discover the area is to take a bike tour. Consider booking a personalized one with French Mystique to explore the domain more thoroughly.
Chartres
A short train ride from Gare Montparnasse leads to the tiny town of Chartres, known for its UNESCO listed cathedral.
Begun in the 12th century, the church continues to be a site for
pilgrims, with its mismatched spires and largely original stained glass
windows adding to its unique appearance. Ask about any English-speaking
tours at the gift shop inside the cathedral before wandering on your
own. And if possible, visit between April and October, when the light
show illuminates the cathedral each night.
The main focus of Chartres is the gothic cathedral, but there is also
an art museum within the former bishop's residence, as well as the
Maison Picasiette, an early 20th century house covered in glass mosaics.
The streets around the cathedral host small shops and bakeries selling
local specialties like the Cochelin, a chocolate-filled pastry in the
shape of a man.
Despite its tiny size, Chartres also can be a culinary destination.
The Grand Monarque Hotel, dating to the 17th century, is home to Chez
Georges, another Michelin-starred restaurant that's worth the trek. The
discovery menu, at just $87, is driven by seasonal market produce, while
the exhaustive wine list features more than 2,000 bottles. Your best
bet? Ask the waiter for a suggestion.
Lille
Take the train from Gare du Nord to the town of Lille,
an under-appreciated industrial part of France that contrasts nicely
from Paris—at least for a day. With its distinctive Flemish influences
in the architecture and with numerous beers on tap at each bar, Lille
feels more Belgian than French. Stroll the Grand Place before heading to
the tangle of streets north of the train station, called Vieux Lille.
The local institution is Meert, a confectionery shop that sells pricey yet delicious gauffres,
flavored cream sandwiched between paper-thin waffles. For lunch, don't
expect anything light and dainty. Head to A Taaable for a welsch, bread covered in ham and melted cheese served with a massive bowl of fries. Wash it all down with a local or seasonal beer.
Afterwards, grab a coffee at Tamper! Espresso Bar,
proof that the hipster-driven Paris coffee scene isn't alone in France.
If words on the menu like "siphon" and "Hario V60" don't mean anything
to you, then just keep it simple and order a filtered coffee. The
caffeine will fuel a few more hours of wandering the shops and boutiques
of Vieux Lille before heading back to Paris.
Orleans
Take the train from Gare d'Austerlitz and arrive in the tiny city of
Orleans in just over an hour. Just south of Paris, the city was a home
and battleground for France's most famous leading lady, Joan of Arc. She
led the French army to victory over occupying English forces in 1429.
In Orleans, visit a reconstruction of her house before strolling the
medieval streets and stunning cathedral where Joan herself would have
prayed. The stained glass windows inside retrace her life. Nearby, enter
the 16th century Hotel Groslot, which once housed royalty like
Catherine de Medici, and today hosts local weddings.
While sightseeing options and museums are limited, consider spending a few hours overlooking the Loire River while dining at Le Lièvre Gourmand.
This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a culinary adventure led by
head chef Tristan Robreau. The seven course tasting menu, with dessert
and cheese, only costs $80—a steal compared with anything similar in
Paris. It's worth the day trip just to experience whatever Chef Robreau
has to offer.
Rouen
From Gare Saint Lazare, most people will take the train and get off
to go to Monet's Gardens at the station called Vernon. Instead, stay in
your seat and continue on to Rouen. This medieval town, the capital of
Normandy, is another spot associated with Joan of Arc: it's where she
was burned to death.
Wander the streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses for a taste of medieval France, when the astrological clock, or gros horloge,
was one of the town's claims to fame. The iconic cathedral is
immortalized in a series of paintings by Claude Monet, some of which are
on display back in Paris at the Musée d'Orsay. With botanical gardens,
museums, and countless other churches to explore, be sure to plan some
time to experience local cuisine.
For dining, La Couronne
is a local institution since 1345, serving up gourmet French fare. For a
more relaxed meal, head across the Place du Vieux Marché (where Joan
was burned) and pop into the Poissonnerie des Halles for fresh seafood.
On March 21, the highly-anticipated Joan of Arc History Museum (Historial Jeanne d'Arc) opens to visitors in Rouen, France. The €10 million ($10.6m) project combines a state-of-the-art, immersive exhibition space with comprehensive historical content, transporting visitors back to Middle Ages and enabling them to explore the myth and legend of France’s national heroine
Although, commonly referred to as the Maid of Orléans, Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was actually burned at the stake in 1431 in Rouen. She was later exonerated, posthumously, after a second trial in Rouen in 1456 and, today, is considered a French heroine as well as a Catholic Saint. The Joan of Arc History Center is housed in a magnificent, 15th century archbishop’s palace, adjacent to the cathedral, where both of the trials took place. Joan of Arc’s legacy lives on in Rouen; especially in Place du Vieux Marché, where she met her fate has a church in her honor.
Construction and renovation on the archbishop’s palace, for the museum project, began in 2013 and was developed by a team of internationally renowned historians, museum specialists and museum design agencies. A film production company worked in collaboration with local actors and Rouen Opera’s costume department, to create fictional documentaries that will form part of the visitor experience. One stand-out aspect of the new museum casts tourists as witnesses to Joan of Arc’s trials, where a hologram of Juvénal des Ursins, the ecclesiastic and judge, depicts her exoneration procedures. In another exhibition space, visitors explore the myths and legends surrounding France’s most famous female protagonist. In addition, visitors will be able to discover the palace’s Roman and Gothic crypts, its 15th century tower and the 18th century Aubigné chapel and, when not in use, the state room. Museum visits will be conducted in groups (up to twenty-five people per group and four groups per hour). Audio guides will be available in different languages and an educational center will be available for both school groups and families.
© Courtesy Rouen Normandy Tourisme & Congrès