Farewell Rouen, it’s time to go…
The Clock and organ of The Notre-Dame Cathedrale of Rouen.
What makes Rouen truly special is its beautiful city center, historic architecture, and the rich sense of history that surrounds you. During the first few weeks, it felt incredibly enchanting, but as time passed, our eyes grew accustomed to it, and we might not notice it constantly. While it would be possible to live here permanently, there's something even more exciting about leaving, experiencing, and discovering something new.
Our two-month stay in Rouen is almost over, which feels just right for a city of this size. We've had plenty of time to explore and a certain sense of familiarity has set in. However, in this last week, there's a desire to revisit a few places before we depart.
We absolutely must revisit Acqua & Farine, where we had the perfect truffle pizza – when it arrived at our table, a whole fresh truffle was grated on top, and the aroma alone was enchanting. Le Petit Bar Cocktails, where we enjoyed absinthe a month ago, is also on our list. Its unique ambiance and decor make it a special place. Really worth to mention is Berthom bar, there we felt like home from the first visit - this gozy place with international vibe has really good beer selection. Close to our apartment is Bastien Bakery, which has consistently delighted us. They craft exceptionally delicious bread, even by French standards, and the baguette we pick up there daily has always been perfect. It has been the first place in France where we're recognized, and they even remember our regular order - and now there is only three mornings left…
As for the larger attractions, we've had the pleasure of visiting the Rouen Museum of Fine Arts and the Botanical Garden on two occasions. The Natural History Museum is another gem worth multiple visits. Towards the end of August, we had a memorable experience watching Nosferatu at the Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, a grand church. Live organ music and graceful bats flying around the screen added a unique touch to the event. Rouen's Notre-Dame cathedral, where I've taken many photographs (some of them below), is another favorite,
and on summer nights very impressive Cathédrale de lumière light show it is performed there. And by the way, one of the delightful aspects of France is that tourists are not charged an entrance fee for most of the museums, although Paris may be an exception.
I've been busy capturing photographs in Rouen and its picturesque surroundings. Our new car has made it easier to explore nearby areas. Our recent Abandoned Nordic photos (link) were taken relatively close to Rouen, although we embarked on a more extensive photography expedition within the past couple of months. This newfound mobility has made urbex even more accessible, with opportunities within a few hundred kilometers of each of our homes. Modane, situated a mere 15 kilometers from the Italian border, offers the perfect opportunity to visit many abandoned places of northern Italy in the coming month.
Our move to Modane will be a significant change from Rouen. With a population of around 3,200 in 2015. Embracing this move to a smaller community, closer to nature, feels invigorating. Our expectations are set high, as this environment is relatively new to us, having spent seven years in the heart of Helsinki. That's precisely why, initially, we opted for a place right in the center of Rouen, ensuring that at least some aspects of our lifestyle would remain consistent. It's thrilling to see what the future holds…
