Northern France
Dubris to Bononia, Rotomagus and Juliobona; Celts, Romans, Joan of Arc and artists ranging from Caravaggio, Velasquez, Renoir, Monet and Rubens to Douris and Exekias.
< Roman Faros Dover
Travel from School by coach and Eurotunnel or Ferry to Rouen (Rotomagus). If travelling from Dover (Dubris) do not forget to visit the Roman Painted House and Faros.
Lunch en route
Afternoon at Archaeological Museum with its excellent Egyptian, Gallo-Romano and Greek Ceramic Collections. Of especial interest are the mosaics from Lillebonne, the ‘domus’ of the “Coure d’Albane” Courtyard and Celtic Bronzes.
Rouen Hotel and Evening Meal
Evening walk exploring Mediaeval half-timbered buildings & Gros Horloge, Place du Vieux Marché (site of execution of Joan of Arc) and remains of amphitheatre and thermae near the covered market.
< Archaeological Museum of Rouen
Short coach excursion to the recently restored Amphitheatre of Lillebonne and visitors centre.
Lunch in Rouen and choice of visits to Notre Dame Cathédrale (& the heart of Richard the Lionheart), Aìtre Saint-Maclou (plague charnel house), Norman Gothic Abbatiale St Ouen or Musée des Beaux-Arts with its fabulous collection of sculpture and painting.
Rouen Hotel and Evening Meal
< Centurion, Boulogne – (pic courtesy of Luc Viatour)
Early morning visit to one of the many outdoor markets for local produce (bread, pastries, fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, flowers, fish) before transferring to Boulogne-sur-Mer (Bononia)
Lunch before visiting Basilique Notre Dame de l’Immaculée Conception (with Roman remains of Temple of Ares in crypt) and the Archaeological Museum in the Chateau HQ of Napoleon for his planned invasion of Britain. Here you will find a good collection of Egyptian, Roman and Greek artefacts including the famous ‘Suicide of Ajax’ and Herakles with the Stymphalian Birds.
Optional visit to Nausicaaā National Sea Centre (copies of the Odyssey compulsory!).
Depart Boulogne-sur-Mer (Bononia) in the footsteps Claudius, who used the port as the base for his invasion of Britain.
Returning to school by coach
Feel free to contact us to tailor your own tour. 01342 324727
Optional Extras:
Boulogne-sur-Mer can be easily visited in one day by Schools in S England
< Vieux la Romaine
Vieux-la-Romaine: Site and Museum & ongoing excavation zone which can be visited by appointment
< Briga Amphitheatre
Briga Gallo-Roman City: Celtic Shrine which developed into a substantial sanctuary complex with theatre, bathhouse & forum
< Musee Picardie
Amiens: All that now remains of Celtic Ambiani ‘Samarobriva’ and Roman ‘Ambianum’ lies deep below ground. One can peer into the depths via a glass viewpoint to see the remains of the Roman Wall but there is a fabulous Gallo-Romano collection in the Musée de Picardie