Page 174 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

172  FR ANCE AND THE L OW C OUNTRIES

Northern France barrel-vaulted ceiling and Arras
tapestries, is a star attraction.
Northern France’s main sights span thousands of years of Among other fine historic
history, from the awesome megaliths of Carnac, through the buildings are the 17th-century
18th-century grandeur of Nancy’s town architecture, to Ancien Collège des Jésuites,
Strasbourg’s futuristic Palais de l’Europe, seat of the European which is now a school, and the
Basilique St-Remi, the oldest
Parliament. Its cities boast some of the country’s greatest church in Reims.
cathedrals, such as those of Reims and Rouen. The region’s most Relics of the town’s Roman
famous religious monument is Mont-St-Michel, whose evocative past include the Crypto-
silhouette has welcomed pilgrims since the 11th century. portique, part of the former
forum, and the Porte Mars,
a triumphal Augustan arch.
Moderne et Contemporain, Le The Musée de la Reddition
Vaisseau, a scientific discovery occupies the building that
center for children aged 3–15, served as Eisenhower’s French
and the Musée Alsacien, which headquarters during World War
overflows with exhibits on local II. It was here, in 1945, that the
traditions, arts, and crafts. general received the Germans’
surrender, which ended the war.
3 Reims R Cathédrale Notre-Dame
Marne. * 210,000. £ @ n 08-21 Place du Cardinal Luçon. Open daily.
61 01 60. ∑ reims-tourisme.com 8 7
Renowned throughout the Environs
world from countless A short drive south of Reims
champagne labels, Reims is Epernay. Here, you can visit
has a rich historical legacy. the cellars of a number of
Strasbourg’s fine Gothic cathedral, The city’s most famous distinguished champagne
surrounded by historic buildings monument is the magnificent “houses,” including those of
Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame, Moët et Chandon.
2 Strasbourg begun in 1211. For several
centuries, the cathedral was the
Bas Rhin. * 450,000. k 15 km 4 Rouen
(8 miles) SW. £ @ n 17 Place de setting for the coronation of
la Cathédrale (03-88 52 28 28). French kings. Highlights are the Seine Maritime. * 138,000. k 11 km
_ Christmas market (Dec). 13th-century Great Rose Window (7 miles) SE. £ @ n 25 Place de la
∑ otstrasbourg.fr and the west facade, decorated Cathédrale (02-32 08 32 40).
with over 2,300 statues. ∑ rouentourisme.com
Located halfway between Paris On the eve of a coronation,
and Prague, this cosmopolitan the future king spent the night Formerly a Celtic trading post,
city is often known as “the in the Palais du Tau (1690), the Roman garrison, and Viking
crossroads of Europe.” It is also archbishops’ palace, adjoining colony, Rouen became the
home to the European Parliament. the cathedral. capital of the Norman Duchy
A boat trip along the water- Its 15th-century banqueting in 911. Today, it is a rich and
ways that encircle Strasbourg’s hall, the Salle du Tau, with its cultured city that boasts a wealth
Old Town takes in the Ponts-
Couverts – bridges with
medieval watchtowers – and the
old tanners’ district, dotted with
attractive half-timbered houses.
Dating from the late 11th
century, the Cathédrale Notre-
Dame dominates the city. There
are wonderful views from the
viewing platform on the rooftop.
The grand Classical Palais
Rohan houses three museums:
the Musée des Beaux Arts, the
Musée Archéologique, and the
Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which
has one of the finest displays of
ceramics in France. Also worth
visiting is the Musée d’Art Statuary on the west facade of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, in Reims
For hotels and restaurants see pp206–8 and pp209–11

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