1958 Jeanne d'Arc

Notre Dame de Gravenchon, where we lived twice when I was a child (1952-1953 and 1956-1959) was about halfway between Le Havre and Rouen. 

Rouen

I remember going to Rouen to see the cathedral.  It was very famous and Monet painted it quite a bit.  Actually, I loved going to see cathedrals because I was fascinated with the details, that it was all made of stone.  And the stained glass was always amazing as well.  This cathedral has quite a history.

Rouen Cathedral

300s Original church on site
800s Demolished by Vikings
1100s Construction on current building  
1110 Struck by lightening  
1200 Burned
1300s Ornamentation added  
1284 Struck by lightning  
1353 Spire blew down  
1360 New chapel  
1400s Tower finished  
1507 Southwest tower completed 
1514 Gothic spire burned
1530 Portico completed
1625 Struck by lightning  
1642 Struck by lightning 
1683 Hurricane damage
1822 Lightning destroyed spire
1944 Bombed by Royal Air Force
1944 Bombed by US Air Force  
1999 Hurricane damage

But what I really remember was seeing where Joan of Arc was burned to death.  Back then, probably it was around 1958, there was not a lot of fuss about it.  It was just a small area roped off with a plaque.  

Plaque where Joan of Arc was burned.

Looking at it and realizing that a girl not far from my age was burned alive at the stake at that very spot, perhaps was the first time I really connected with history and at the same time I realized France was inside me.  I don't know why they seemed to connect at that time, but those two feelings have stayed with me for the rest of my life.  The feeling inside me was something I still cannot explain, it was like  a chill than ran through my body from my feet through my head.  

It shook me quite a bit and stayed with me a very long time.  

The Old Market Square.  
Memorial to Joan of Arc in the green area.