Climbing up the bell tower of Rouen's Le Gros Horloge

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Someone once asked me: Leni, what's there to see in Rouen? That time, I only knew about the cathedral and that this was the place where Joan of Arc was burnt. So I answered: I heard there's this cathedral. His reply: Leni, what French city does not have a cathedral?

Point taken. Ten months later, I'm still discovering what my host city has to offer to have better answers if this question ever come up again.

Rouen was (apparently) the second biggest French city next to Paris from the 13th to 16th centuries. During those times, France was a very small kingdom. Over the years, as France claims nearby territories, Rouen became and is now only the 12th biggest city in France, the first, of course, still being Paris, followed by Lyon and Marseille.

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I am less than a month away from my departure for a month-and-a-half long vacation and (imperative) return to my home country. While I do have things to do (organizing documents, figuring out my next steps etc.), I'm free and stuck doing officially nothing and it's honestly driving me crazy because I never get to do...nothing. It doesn't help that most of my friends are away or have already gone to their internships abroad or back home.

Being cooped up inside a 9m2 room, on a rainy day can be very dangerous. While I still have my mental abilities and psychological state intact, I decided to step out and finally climb up the bell tower that I have been ignoring for the entire time I am here. I didn't even know there was a bell tower until a few days ago when I came across tourists on Rue Gros Horloge! I thought this was just a big ass old clock! Rouen's Le Gros Horloge is one of the oldest mechanical clock in Europe, along with that of Prague's astronomical clock and London's Big Ben to name a few.

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This gave me a renewed appreciation for my host city. Living here, it's like being transported to the Middle Ages - closest I can get to fulfilling an impossible dream: time traveling.

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Basically, there are around ten levels (I lost count) that ultimately leads you to a panoramic view of the city. Before you reach the top-most accessible level, you will find a big ass bell that rings so powerfully, you would need to be mindful of the time when you reach that area. In my case, it rang just when I entered this room, so much so that it impaired my hearing for at least five minutes or so. It rang so loudly, I was so stunned, that I didn't know what to do or where to go - should I stay, should I go down, should I climb up? It was total panic for ten seconds just to get out of that tiny room or wanting it to stop right away.

And of course, when you reach the top, you get the most rewarding view, and if lucky, on a sunny day (in my case, hour), too!


Le Gros Horloge

Rue du Gros Horloge
Rouen, 76000, France

Open everyday, except Mondays. April-October from 10am to 12nn and 2pm to 7pm. November-March from 2pm to 6pm, last entry an hour before closing time.

Ticket prices include audio guides, 7 EUR for adults, reduced fares available for students, youth, groups of ten, families at half the price, free entrance for kids below the age of six and persons with disabilities.

For more information, visit this page

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