The Road Home - Pt. 6 The Cathedrals enroute to Paris July 11-13

We leave Caen, and set up base in Rouen.  Rouen is the historic capital of Normandy, and is located on the Seine river.  Yes it does have a Cathedral, and yes it is Gothic.  The Cathedral was built over a period spanning the 12th to 16th centuries.
The view down the main axis of the Cathedral.

At the north transept there is a very lovely stone staircase which leads to the Cathedral library.

one of the rose windows in the Rouen Cathedral

Very Curious indeed the things you find hidden away (in plain view) in churches.  This is the final resting place of King Richard the 1st of England, a.k.a. Richard the Lionheart.  The tomb has a lion at his feet, but inside the tomb lies only his heart.

The facade of the Rouen Cathedral

In the old section of Rouen you can see some remaining half-timber buildings.

Le Gros Horloge, is an astronomical clock,,... I don't think its that gross.

From Rouen we strike out down the road to the Northeast to the village of Amiens, home of the largest Cathedral in France.  Yes you guessed it...Amiens Cathedral...yup Gothic.  Not only does Amiens have a kick butt Cathedral, it has the BEST salad Nicoise in France,... Rachel, she's all about the salad.

..and the best Entrecote in France....Sarah, she's all about the steak.

Amiens has some lovely canals running through it, lined with cafes and shops.

THE CATHEDRAL.  42.3 m to the ceiling (interior) and the largest cathedral in France.  The Cathedral was built between 1220 and 1270.  The initial impetus was to provide a place to house the head of John the Baptist.

On the outer facade, we have John the Baptist, and his head.

The interior of Amiens is incredible.  If you can only go to one Cathedral in France, well rearrange your trip, but be sure you include Amiens.  The windows reach to the height of the ceiling and flood the interior with light.

The Rose window

Just to the side of the main alter, you come upon an angel, peeking around the corner at you.

The head of John the Baptist, part of the loot collected during the 4th Crusade.  The skull was brought back from Constantinople

Very cool stained glass with intricate detail is everywhere.

We leave Amiens and go to Chartres to see the blue stained glass.  The colour is associated with the Cathedral to such an extent that the colour is called Chartres Blue.

The south rose window (the glorification of Christ)  c. 1225

The west rose window (The last judgement) c. 1215

Another of the many windows of Chartres in stunning blue.

Outside looking at the Rose window (west)

Next stop ... PARIS