(written 2006-03-03 09:11 CET)
Pulling onto the main drag of
Versailles, we managed to fluke a rather good parking spot and pay very little for it (
photo!). We were undecided as to whether to wander around
Château de Versailles due to the cost, but as we approached discovered that there was a cheaper ticket that was going to suit us fine.
The state apartments, half-restored hall of mirrors and various lavishly decorated rooms were all gorgeous, but we liked wandering in the gardens despite the cold.
Next quite a drive to the historic town of
Rouen in Normandy through pretty countryside. Getting into the city was pretty crazy due to its size, and we ended up parking up on the kerb a few streets away from a potential hotel (everyone else was doing it!). We locked it up tight and wandered down to the hotel where the owner spoke no English at all, leaving us to resort to a piece of paper to negotiate costs for the room. It worked out fine so we parked under the town square, brought our bags down, and wandered looking for food. An Irish pub served us a couple of drinks while we watched the heavy snow falling outside, but then across the town square for a shared pizza overlooking place de Vieux Marché (the town square) and its crazy church Église Jeanne d'Arc.