An A-Z of why to choose Rouen as a French study destination

A is for Apples. These fruits are grown in abundance in Normandy, and are the principal ingredient in one of the region’s most famous exports – cider.

B is for Bayeux. Home to the famous tapestry, this town is located close to Rouen and is well worth a visit.

C is for Camembert. Normandy is the home of Camembert cheese, which was reputedly invented in 1791 by farmer Marie Harel.

D is for Deauville. A short ride away from Rouen is the charming and upmarket seaside resort of Deauville. Long frequented by the rich and famous, it now plays host to an annual festival of American film, which attracts all manner of Hollywood A-listers.

E is for Étretat. Étretat is best known for its cliffs, including a famous natural arch. These cliffs and the associated resort beach are famous for their being visited by, and inspiration to, Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet.

F is for Fécamp The coastal town of Fécamp, located only a short distance from Rouen, is best known for being the home of Benedictine. The Palais Benedictine now houses a visitors’ centre, which shows how the liqueur is made.

G is for Giverny. This stunning village is where Monet lived, and was the inpsiration behind many of his masterpieces.

H is for Honfleur. Honfleur is a pretty medieval town on the coast that also inspired many of the impressionist painters.

I is for Impressionism. This was a genre of many famous painters who lived in, or were deeply inspired by, the Normandy towns and villages.

J is for Joan of Arc. Rouen is where Joan of Arc, one of France’s most formidable and best-known heroines was imprisoned, and burnt at the stake. There are many churches, museums and galleries in the city that pay homage to the patron Saint of France and her life.

K is for Kilometres. The river that runs through large parts of Normandy (inclding Rouen), the Seine, is 776km long!

L is for Lisieux. Lisieux is one of the larger towns surrounding Rouen. It is a very historic place that is most famous for the beautiful Basilica of St Theresa. Catholic devotion to Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, who lived in the Carmel de Lisieux, makes it the most significant pilgrimage site in France after Lourdes.

M is for Mont St Michel. Located just off the coast of Normandy, Le Mont St.Michel is an 80 metre high mound of granite with a variety of historic buildings nestled into it. The different stages of its construction have created a unique architectural ensemble which was classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1979. 

N is for Normans. In Rouen and its surrounding towns you can find out a lot about the Normans and in particular, William the Conquerer.

O is for Oysters. Oysters are found in abundance in Normandy, and as such are one of the local specialities that you’d be mad not to try.

P is for Piaf. Born in Bernay, close to Rouen, Edith Piaf (or La môme – the sparrow – as she is affectionately called) remains one of France’s best-loved sweethearts.

Q is for Quality school! The school in Rouen is well-established, high-quality and very friendly.

R is for Rouen. Rouen itself is a great city. Studying French there will give you access to some fascinating history, some fantastic bars and restarants and a real taste of French culture.

S is for Saint-Saëns. Born in Paris to a Norman father, French composer Camille Saint-Saëns made Normandy his home.

T is for Tarte Normande. Made principally from apples, this delicous dish from Normandy is definitely one to try.

U is for Utah Beach. Utah Beach is one of the key Normandy tourist attractions. It was the codename for the right flank or westernmost of the Allied landing beaches during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, as part of Operation Overlord on 6 June 1944.

V is for Victor Hugo. The writer Victor Hugo lived at Villequier, near Caudebec, which is not far from Rouen.

W is for Writers. As well as Victor Hugo, writers Guy de Maupassant and Gustave Flaubert also made Normandy their home.

X is for Xmas markets. Every Christmas there are hundreds of traditional markets across Normandy, where you can find all kinds of gifts and local foods.

Y is for Yearlings annual sale. Every August in Deauville there is a large and famous sale of ‘yearlings’ (horses that are one year old).

Z is for Zoo Park at Cleres. This is another prime Normandy attraction, and is a speciality zoo that has one of the best bird collections in the world.

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