Walking the cobblestones of Rouen's city centre, on the corner of the Saint-Ouen Abbey in the antique shop district, is a pedestrian street full of charm and life: the rue Eau de Robec. A witness to the history of Rouen and the past life of the drapers who lived there, this passage is a treasure of authenticity. Rehabilitated in the 70s, it is also a lively place that is home to many cafés and restaurants, where it is pleasant to stroll.
The rue Eau de Robec is lined with colourful half-timbered houses, a veritable institution of typical Norman architecture. The succession of these facades, which have different shades of colour, creates a picturesque and warm landscape. At the foot of these flows a small stream: the Robec. In the past, dyers washed their hands in the stream giving it various colours: blue, yellow or purple as described by Flaubert in Madame Bovary. Canalised in the 1930s, the river is now artificial but it continues to participate to the charm of the street.
On closer inspection, we can see another witness to the past life of Rouen's drapers. On most houses, under the roofs, there are still the "greniers-étentes", attics that extend towards the street and which allowed craftsmen to dry their clothes. One of these houses is now home to the National Museum of Education: go back in time to revisit your old school memories!
The river, which makes this neighbourhood like a despicable little Venice, flowed down, under it, yellow, purple or blue, between its bridges and its gates.
In this décor of local colours, there are plenty of places to eat! Traditional, regional, collaborative, organic or world cuisine: there's something for everyone!
You can also simply relax on one of the terraces, have a drink with family or friends and play petanque between sips.
Don't hesitate either to venture into the streets perpendicular to the Eau de Robec street which are full of curiosities.
For example, I recommend the Passage de l'Horloge. In this narrow alleyway hides an old medieval clock.
Auxane from Comme des Français
Extend your immersion in Normandy with these other articles :
- The most beautiful villages of Normandy
- Deauville, the Norman crossroads of luxury
- The oldest inn in France
