From left: Chateau Miromesnil, Honfleur harbour, view of Dieppe

Every two years there is a visit to Rouen and in alternate years members of our counterpart association, the Rouen Norwich Club, visit Norwich. The aim is meet up with our Rouen counterparts, get to know each other and each other’s culture better, explore the city and the region, and experience something or a place which would not be available to the ordinary tourist.

We travel by coach via Euroshuttle, usually from a Thursday to a Monday. The visit includes a free day in Rouen, with optional visits, a shorter excursion and a full-day excursion.

In 2007 we went to the Abbey of Bec-Hellouin and the Maritime Museum and spent a day in Dieppe finishing with tea and a visit to Chateau Miromesnil where we were shown round by the owner. Members had free time in Rouen and as the visit coincided with a food festival (the Fête du Ventre) they could wander round the streets sampling gastronomic delights from all corners of Normandy.

During the visit there is usually a reception at the Hôtel de Ville (Rouen’s city hall). Accommodation is either in a centrally-located hotel or with a French host. Everyone is invited to dinner one evening in a French home. Previous visits have included the pretty port of Honfleur, Monet’s garden at Giverney, castles, and cider and calvados producers.

We arrange a similar programme when members of the Rouen Norwich Club visit Norwich and they either stay in a hotel or with NNRFA members. There is plenty of opportunity for members of both associations to meet each other.

The next visit to Rouen 15-19 October 2009.

Programme of events for the Norwich visit in September 2008
Programme of events for the Rouen visit in October 2008