Traveling through Normandy

Today we spent a lot of time in the car driving through lots of small towns and we also had a quick stop in Rouen (not so small).

First we went to Giverny, where Monet lived for years and painted many of his most famous works including the Waterlilies (Les Nympheas). The gardens are reproduced to look like they were in Monet's time. It's beautiful! His house was a little quirky...pink with green shutters, inside the rooms were painted all in different shades of one color, so the dining room was all yellow, the sitting room all blue, etc.

Next, we were off driving around Normandy, went to Les Andelys and saw a castle built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century and then to Lyon-Le-Foret, a town with really old half-timber buildings. All over are these bright yellow fields but not sure what it is...amazing color.

Next we went to Rouen and saw Notre Dame Cathedral, which Monet painted in his Rouen Cathedral series. We also saw the place where Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) was burned at the stake.

Finally we made it to Honfleur, where we are staying for the night. This is a great little sea-port town. Lots of restaurants and shops. Yummy dinner with crepes for dessert. We are staying at a B&B in town called La Petite Folie.

Tomorrow we are off on another tour of Normandy, to the D-Day beaches and museums, then to the Mont Saint Michel area.