Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 10:18 by rouen
On May 5 2015, the port and city of Rouen welcomed Transocean’s Astor for the first time, following on from first time caller, AIDAbella, at the port’s Honfleur terminal the previous Friday.
AIDA Cruises' AIDABella was the largest ship ever to call at Honfleur with Viking Star sailing the Seine to Rouen, also the largest ship ever to do so, in the same week.
These calls mark the start of a record season of 60 calls. Also welcomed for the first time later in the year are Hebridean Princess, Magellan, Azores and Corinthian.
The arrival of these ships coincides with a number of new attractions in Rouen itself. In March, the new Joan of Arc Museum opened using some of the very rooms where her trial, condemnation and eventual pardon took place, combining history with the latest 3D technology to bring the period to life.
Also newly opened is ‘The Panorama’, the only one of its kind in France. It is artwork of minute attention to detail, viewed from inside a 28m rotunda, the entrance being through a darkened underground passage. The current exhibition illustrates a 360-degree journey of Ancient Rome, and the shows are changed periodically.
This is one of Rouen’s longest seasons stretching this year to December 14 when the Rouen Christmas Market is in full swing. Also significant this year was a three-day call from Azuka II in May as part of its 20th anniversary world cruise. Rouen is the only French port to which the ship called, having arrived from Vigo in Spain bound for New York.
Japan, where Azuka II is based, is a major market for Rouen’s tourism offering, not only for the legend of Joan of Arc but the Impressionist art movement, its proximity to Monet’s Garden at Giverny and the art collections of Paris and Rouen itself. In addition over 400 passengers took a trip to The Palace of Versailles in Paris with 340 staying for a gala dinner and arriving back at the ship at 0200.
Rouen’s location along the River Seine is making it increasingly popular for overnight stays for extended and evening stays in Paris, as well as a host of specially created events for groups.
