Christmas Market at Rouen’s Cathedral: If I could turn back time...

Hello, travel lovers and discoverers of new wonderful places.

Glad to be among you again. I didn't have to think long about which community to choose, as #haveyoubeenhere is just the right place to share stories that happened at a specific location, and that describe the beauty and emotions that accompany us there.

A couple of days before Christmas, I would like to tell you a story from 2019, when a group of friends and I decided to go to a beautiful place with the condition that it must be different from the big cities with grand Christmas markets, a place where we would be away from the commercial celebrations, where the market would be filled with regional foods and souvenirs.

And so it all began. Four days before Christmas Eve we landed in Paris, France, and headed to the city of Rouen, just over an hour by train from the airport. Rouen is a magical town on the banks of the Seine River, the prefecture of the region of Normandy and the department of Seine-Maritime. We checked into a small nice hotel by the river and couldn't wait to walk around. The main purpose of our trip here was the Christmas market, which is held on the square in front of the city cathedral, known as Place de la Cathédrale.

As soon as we left the hotel we could feel the Christmas cheer in the air - the aroma of mulled wine, cheese, crêpes, mixed with the delicious smell of freshly prepared food, it felt like we were in a fairy tale.

The market is located on the square in front of the cathedral and includes almost all the little streets around. Small shops, restaurants with a typical regional style, all decorated with Christmas ornaments, and the lights are divine. Ice rink, Ferris wheel, and many more different surprises.
I remember now how hard it was for me a year later in 2020 to accept that Christmas would not be what we all dreamed of. I didn't want to mention the virus in this story, but exactly a year ago, I realized how much I miss the magic of Christmas. Being among so many smiling people, feeling their emotions, listening to the laughter of children, the roar of the crowd, the Christmas music, and the wonderful scents in the air.
We walked along a small, narrow, and beautiful street. The market was full of locally produced cheese, caramel, cider, Calvados, as well as traditional arts and crafts, jewelry, and Christmas decorations galore. This was a night to remember!

Oh, and the most delicious and unforgettable culinary treat you can experience is the combination of a slice of Camembert with a cup of hot spiced wine.

If today, you are in France, close to Rouen, and still do not have plans for the night, I would highly recommend visiting this enchanting market and keeping unforgettable memories.

And don't forget to try a cup of Vin Chaud which is a regional spiced mulled wine drink, similar to German Glühwein. It is a tradition for Christmas, and it will keep you warm as you shop late into the night :)

And for those who won't be able to visit the magical city of Rouen, enjoy the atmosphere from the photos, as I will.

Thank you for your time and support!
You are welcome to dive into my future posts.
I will keep on drawing stories with pictures from my trips.
Have a beautiful day, be healthy, and may the force be with you!

Yours,
George