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Surroundings

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Rouen and the historic part

Normandy

le champ-de Bataille

Normandy Gastronomy

Hotel cardinal From past to present

Le Havre

le champ-de Bataille

The magnificent 17th century Château du Champ-de-Bataille is often called the Norman Versailles in France. It was designed by Louis Le Vau, an architect who also left his mark on Versailles. But if the castle has regained its former glory, it is thanks to the world-renowned interior designer and decorator Jacques Garcia, who purchased the entire property in 1992 and has owned it ever since.
He restored and furnished the castle and found an ideal location for his extensive collection of antiques. The castle is said to contain more than 5,000 objects from its private collections, most of them of royal origin, as well as more than 15,000 books. Garcia also designed the current castle gardens himself. The park landscape in particular has an irresistible appeal and beauty. When Garcia took over the castle in 1992, all that remained of the original baroque garden was a few drawings which gave him ideas. At 45 hectares, the largest private park in Europe was created practically from scratch, with groves, ponds, water features and avenues. What stands out are the themed gardens of the gods, Cybele’s ice cellar, Prometheus’ torches and Actaion’s aviary, all inspired by classical mythology

Normandy

Normandy, in the north of France, fascinates with its landscapes and cultural diversity. 5 departments like the 5 inseparable fingers of the hand. First there are the wide beaches and chalk cliffs of the Channel coast, which attracted the Impressionists with their easels, there are the small fishing villages that became seaside resorts, there are the grandiose architectural styles of the Middle Ages as well as many memorable things from here and elsewhere. A distant world history not to be forgotten: The region is a paradise for gourmets, especially with its local specialties

Le Havre

Founded in the 16th century as a naval port to defend the mouth of the Seine against the English, the city’s great career began with maritime traffic across the Atlantic to America.
The great overseas history is reflected in the “Hanging Gardens”. The idea came from the port city’s merchants who transformed an ancient fortress into a bastion of themed gardens. It is a tribute to the Norman explorers who enriched European gardens since the 15th century. The name is derived from the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and signals to visitors that they can see impressive and colorful botany from five continents in 3,000 square meters of greenhouse space.The greenhouses also offer visitors to fragrant and aromatic plants, species of orchids, begonias and tropical vegetation. Around 200,000 visitors per year do not miss this fireworks display of flowers and plant scents.
Moreover, the people of Le Havre have created a monument to their prosperous container port – with colorful containers artfully stacked. The humor of the Norman artistic scene.

Normandy Gastronomy

Normandy is certainly one of the regions of France most famous for its gastronomy. If the region is known for its cheeses, especially Camembert, its cream and its apples, it offers many other flavors. Did you know that Normandy is the leading French scallop fishing region? Oysters (from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Veules, etc.) and mussels are also produced there. Among the specialties, we can mention pre-salted lamb, raised in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, andouille from Vire, tripe à la mode from Caen, black pudding from Mortagne and caramel from Isigny.
All accompanied by a good glass of cider, perry, pommeau or, more “robust”, Calvados. In restaurants, you won’t escape the Norman hole, a real digestive break. A whole gastronomic heritage, populated with AOP (Protected Designation of Origin) and AOC (Controlled Designation of Origin) products, to explore. All to be consumed in moderation.
Gastronomic Festivals
Tastings in perspective, but also meetings with Chefs and producers on the menu, there are numerous gastronomic festivals in Normandy. They are based around local specialties such as scallops, apples and cider or even herring.

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Hotel cardinal From past to present

The origin of the Cardinal hotel began in 1911 with two investors, gentlemen. Kholer & Criblez, who inaugurated “la Grande Brasserie Paul” at 1 rue Grand-Pont. At the end of May 1944 is bitterly remembered in Rouen under the name Red Week, evoking the flames and blood which overwhelmed the city. It was during this time that the city experienced some of its most difficult times. The Royal Air Force’s official history says: “The main bridge destruction program was launched on 24 May by the United States Ninth Air Force, whose low-altitude fighter-bombers were particularly successful.
The Cathedral was saved from the flames by a miracle but not rue Grand Pont nor rue du Change, where all the businesses were destroyed. The Grande Brasserie Paul is no exception.
Mr Kholer will “move” the Grande Brasserie Paul to 1 Place de la Cathedral under the name Brasserie Paul, taking the same care as the destroyed establishment and adding a hotel. At the beginning of the 60s, the hotel was still an integral part of the brewery. (photo ref)
It was not until 1965 that the two operations were separated and the Cardinal hotel appeared. A modern hotel with elevator, central heating and WC. Since then, several owners have succeeded one another, always keeping in mind to maintain the quality of comfort identical to that of its environment. Today, Ms. Waroquet has been the owner for more than 12 years

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Rouen and the historic part

A traditional trading town and capital of Normandy, Rouen offers a range of impressive sites with its 2,000 (!) half-timbered houses as well as the culinary charm of Norman cuisine.
The Gros-Horloge
The undisputed star is undoubtedly in the heart of Rouen, Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in France. It was also painted by the painter Claude Monet with his series of 33 impressionist paintings. They were created under a wide variety of influences and light perspectives and with suggestions for today’s art scene. Berlin artist Yadegar Asisi has created an impressive 360-degree installation in the panorama of Leipzig with Monet’s cathedral on an area of 3,500 square meters and a height of 32 meters.
In the old center of Rouen, one of the big attractions is the Gros-Horloge in a richly gilded frame on an arcade dating from 1389 – probably the most popular photographic motif in competition with the cathedral. The clock displays not only the hours, but also the phases of the moon through a porthole above the dial. In the center of the old market square there is a large cross on a long stele. It commemorates Joan of Arc, who died here in the flames of a funeral pyre.