Christmas Market in Rouen

Spent a week in France to visit some of the famous Christmas markets. Basically saw two markets and they were so different. The market on the Champs-Elysées in Paris was just too huge to manage in an afternoon. Most of the stands were food or tourist items. The market in Rouen, however, was so good. It was just outside the Cathedral on the town square. There were only twenty to thirty stands but each one was a gem. Everything being sold was made in France. The Vin Chaud [hot mulled wine] was delicious and it warmed your stomach as well as your hands on this chilly day. All the vendors seemed to be in such a good mood that it made it a joy to walk around and feel the spirit of a commercial Christmas and being able to visit the church before, during or after buying some unique gifts.

On the Seine for the Christmas Markets

Took my quickly disappearing voucher from Grand Circle and used it to travel the Seine. Embarked on the MS/Bizet on December 1st and home yesterday on the 8th. Interesting trip in many ways; some good news and some not so. I had traveled on this ship years earlier on an Elderhostel trip called 'Tracing the Impressionists'. The ship has been renovated but is showing some signs of aging, as am I. The port on Quai Javel was a bit out of the way necessitating the use of the RER or a metro line that is far out. 

Meals on the ship were quite good but you really couldn't tell from the offerings that you were in France. Actually that was one of the poorer points of this trip; the French experience it wasn't. The captain down to the waitstaff, the housekeepers and ship workers were all from different countries in central Europe so one did not hear the melodious song of the French language. Breakfast was buffet with an omelet station while luncheon and dinner were both meals of several courses.