This trip was another work-related trip I went on, not for leisure. At that time, I had to meet my boss and work in France for a week (my boss is French and based there). It was similar to any regular work trip where I had to leave the hotel early in the morning and wouldn’t return until late evening, almost 8PM. Each day, I managed to do a lot of sightseeing in Paris, going out for meals and doing some small shopping, although it wasn’t very appropriate for me as a backpacker to spend too much in that capacity. I wanted to see something unusual rather than just staying in the big city, but since the mission was work, we had to fulfill our responsibilities to the best of our abilities, leaving sightseeing for later. However, there was one day when I had to go outside Paris for some business matters. It was a Friday, and I went with my boss and another Chinese colleague named Tiny Yang. The three of us had to go to a northern port city called “Le Havre.” This city is like a cape, as it had a large seaport used for transporting goods. It was an important industrial city in France. We set off from Paris before 6AM to arrive at our destination by 9 o’clock, the appointed time to meet someone there. My boss was the one driving. Le Havre is located about 200 kilometers northwest of Paris and takes approximately 2 and a half hours to drive (but we stopped for breakfast along the way, so it took us about 3 hours in total). 🚙
That day, we finished our business affairs and meetings around 2PM without taking a lunch break. We wanted to leave early to make sure we didn’t return to Paris too late because everyone knew that traffic in Paris during the evening was equally terrible. As soon as we finished our work, we immediately got into the car to go for lunch and then head back to Paris. (We were very hungry at that time and wanted to eat right away, but there wasn’t much to eat around there, to be honest.) While we were driving, my French boss suggested, “Why don’t we have a relaxed lunch at a restaurant together and then return to Paris? Or we could have a quick lunch to save time and have a chance to visit the Rouen Cathedral nearby.” I glanced at Tiny, my Chinese colleague, and we both understood each other. Tiny told the boss that we preferred the latter option because opportunities like this were not easy for us Asians to see tourist attractions outside of Paris. My boss agreed and said he would take us there immediately. 💒
The map shows the locations of Paris, Le Havre, and Rouen Cathedral
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Rouen Cathedral, also known as “Norte-Dame de Rouen,” was situated in the city of Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy. It was a magnificent Gothic cathedral that originally began as a Romanesque church in the 4th century. The current cathedral, built in the Gothic style, was constructed over a period of 361 years, from 1145 to 1506. It reached a total height of 151 meters and was once the tallest cathedral in Europe between 1876 and 1880. However, during World War II, it was heavily damaged and nearly destroyed by bombings, leaving the central spire almost in ruins. Subsequently, it underwent reconstruction and restoration to its present state. Rouen Cathedral served as the final resting place of Richard the Lionheart, but only his heart was buried there, while the rest of his body was laid to rest in the city of Anjou.
Apart from Rouen Cathedral, there were other interesting things nearby that added to its charm. One of these was the area surrounding the cathedral itself, which included a pedestrian street. This street, along with its traditional houses and various architectural structures, has been carefully preserved, giving it an enchanting atmosphere. Walking through this street felt like stepping into a mythical city, straight out of a fairytale. Moreover, both sides of the street were lined with shops, restaurants, and souvenir stores, making the stroll even more delightful. What made the ambiance here different from Paris was the laid-back lifestyle of the people. Everything seemed simpler and unhurried, far from the hustle and bustle of a big city. It was a perfect opportunity to experience the joys of “Slow Life“
After we parked the car, my boss led the way to Rouen Cathedral as he had promised. However, the moment we caught sight of the streets and the surrounding town, both Tiny and I seemed to share the same feeling. It was as if our hunger had vanished completely. We decided it was better to explore the city first before thinking about food. Thankfully, my kind-hearted boss didn’t mind at all. He suggested we indulge in the sights and save the food adventure for later. I felt incredibly awake, as what lay before us resembled the enchanted lands of fairy tales that I had heard and seen vividly in childhood stories. It was as if every step we took was a snapshot come to life. Moreover, the weather was pleasant that day, around 15 degrees Celsius, making our walk comfortable without any hint of heat.
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It took us about 15 minutes to walk from where we parked the car, passing through the beautifully adorned pedestrian streets, until we arrived at the magnificent Rouen Cathedral. The first moment we saw the front of the cathedral, we were completely awestruck. It was truly a spectacle to behold, unlike any grand cathedral we had ever seen before. I attempted to capture the entire facade with my iPhone, but it proved impossible because it was simply too massive for the phone’s screen. With limited time on our hands (we had only about an hour in Rouen), we hurriedly entered to explore the interior of the cathedral. The cathedral was open for free visits every day from 9AM to 7PM (opening at 8AM on Sundays, and closing for half the morning on Mondays, reopening at 2PM). Inside, there were seating areas for those participating in religious ceremonies, and the decorations and artworks included paintings, intricate sculptures, and depictions inspired by Roman Catholic beliefs. The cathedral’s structure boasted high ceilings, and Tiny and I made the most of our precious time, swiftly touring every corner without hesitation.
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We spent about 30 minutes inside the cathedral before it was time to venture out. We needed to find something to eat before heading back to Paris, and it was a bit disappointing since time was limited. Nevertheless, we reminded ourselves that we came here to work and being able to enjoy this much of the city was already a good deal. We walked out of the cathedral and found ourselves on a pedestrian street where we stumbled upon a kebab shop. Without hesitation, we decided to go for it because the sight of food instantly triggered our hunger. (It was already past 3 o’clock in the afternoon, and we hadn’t had lunch yet.) Once we got our kebabs, we wasted no time and began devouring them right away, not wanting to waste a single moment. After satisfying our hunger, we headed back to retrieve our parked car and make our way back to Paris. 😝
Today was another fortunate day when we unexpectedly had the opportunity to visit the majestic Rouen Cathedral. We had no prior intention of visiting such a beautiful place while en route to Le Havre. It turned out that there was this hidden gem along the way. We had planned to come here for work, and once we were done, we would head back. Hence, we didn’t gather much information beforehand. However, our boss kindly suggested making a stop here. The only condition was that we would have to find something quick and easy to eat instead of dining at a proper restaurant. Well, that didn’t bother me or Tiny in the slightest. We weren’t seeking anything fancy; we were adventurous by nature. So, we took it as a discovery day, another day to remember, as we got to witness the grandeur of Rouen Cathedral. It was a clear confirmation that “France has more to offer than just Paris.” 🇫🇷
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Written By : SHIPY SIWARIT TIASUWATTISETH
Shipy-Ship 