What to see and do

First Impressions

ROUEN is where the Impressionist movement began and the Musee des Beaux Arts (mbarouen.fr, free) has an outstanding selection of works from the late 19th century, including one of Monet’s sensual portraits of the Gothic cathedral and some beautiful provincial scenes by Camille Pissarro and Albert Fourie.

Meet the Maid

THIS year marks the centenary of Joan of Arc being declared a secondary patron saint of France, and the life story of the Maid of Orleans is told in a series of multimedia exhibits at the Historial Jeanne d’Arc ( historialjeannedarc.fr, £8.80). It’s mostly sombre stuff but includes a poster display of the many movies made about her.

Life beyond vino

OF COURSE it’s easy to find good wine in these parts, but Normandy’s beer is pretty exceptional, too. Just 40 minutes from Rouen by bus, St Wandrille (st-wandrille. com, £4.15) is the only abbey in France where monks make beer on site. Buy a few bottles to take home after exploring the monastery and meeting the brewers.

Flaubert fix

NOBODY in literary history has captured petit-bourgeois frustrations and doomed extramarital affairs like Rouen native Gustave Flaubert. Head to the Le Musee Flaubert inside the Chu hospital (churouen.fr, £8.50) for a (self-guided) glimpse into the author’s life.