Lisieux - Le Basilique

The town of Lisieux is not famous for much - the centre is small with not much going on except the usual shops and cafés. However, on the other side of the town is the very beautiful Basilique de Saint Thérèse. Building started on the church in 1929, and was funded purely by donations from around the world. Completed in 1954, the church is quite obviously modern once you step inside. 

In one room, images are created out of mosaics, in beautiful blues and bright gold. Inside the main building, pictures are painted all over in bright colours, and the writing in the stained glass looks more like graffiti. (There is also a strange crucifix, where Jesus looks rather like he is dancing, but we're not sure if the statue had slipped or if it was a slightly blasphemous representation). 

So, while Lisieux doesn't have too much going for it as a town, the basilica is most definitely worth a visit. It's one of the most impressive churches I've been in, and looked beautiful against the snowy winter backdrop. 

A day in Rouen

One very grey day in January we decided to take a trip to Rouen. The city is considered to be the capital of Normandy, mainly for its history - Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in Rouen, and the city was also heavily destroyed during WWII. While many of the buildings look to be quite modern, the centre hosts many beautiful tudor-esque buildings - apparently many are reconstruction, possibly due to damage during the war. While there is not a lot to do, the bustling city centre seems to attract people from far and wide (there were lots of English voices around), and it is worth just wandering through the narrow cobbled streets and admiring the architecture.

The Gare de Rouen (and a rare bit of blue sky)

Palais de Justice

An ornate old Pharmacy

This cross marks the spot where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake

Narrow streets of (potentially mock) Tudor buildings

A little taste of home

While I enjoy the French lifestyle, the laid back attitude and the coffee, croissants and crepes, sometimes there's nothing better than something to remind you of home.

Memoranda is a fantastic second hand bookshop in the older area of the city of Caen. Stocked to the ceiling with piles of books covering every surface, the shop is any (French) readers dream. But my favourite thing about Memoranda is tucked amongst the books upstairs.

Their English style tearoom is filled with the smell of freshly baked cakes and crumbles. Leaf teas served in lovely old teapots and and homemade scones with jam and cream take me right back home to England and the cafés I have worked in. And they make the perfect accompaniment to a good book.