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Visit Rouen

Rouen is a large town, and capital of the Upper Normandy region. It is found in the Seine-Maritime department.

Unfortunately a great deal of Rouen was very badly damaged during the second world war, but extensive reconstruction has taken place to rebuild the medieval old town , and Rouen also conatains a number of noteworthy monuments including an impressive cathedral - famously painted by Monet on many occasions. Rouen is classified as a ‘City of Art and History’ and has more than 200 protected sites.

Places to visit in Rouen

Rouen cathedral

The cathedral is undoubtedly the highlight of a visit, despite the troubled history it has had. The third cathedral in the same location (nothing remains of the first, but the crypt from the second is part of the current cathedral), it was very badly damaged during bombing in April 1944 and came close to complete collapse. Happily the cathedral was saved and has undergone major renovations since that time.

It is the ornate facade with highly decorated entranceway that is the main feature, although the very tall iron spire might catch your eye first. Inside the cathedral, the light filled nave, the stained glass windows, the effigy of Richard the Lionheart, the staircase to the library and the Lady Chapel are among the features of interest.

Monet painted 30 pictures of Rouen cathedral, attempting to capture the building in all different light and weather conditions, as one of the most impressive series of impressionist paintings.

Other highlights in Rouen

Wandering around the old centre of Rouen there are fabulous half timber buildings on every street. There are some particularly nice examples around the Church and Cemetery of Saint Maclou and around the Church of Saint Joan.

The Saint Maclou church is built in the « flamboyant « Gothic style and is very attractive. Nearby is the very attractive Aitre Saint-Maclou. This was the cemetery and dates back to the Great Plague. The buildings now house the School of Fine Art. Have a look at the buildings to see carvings evoking death and the mummified cat.

The church of St Joan of Arc is quite a contrast. The modern church has been built on the site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. The large cross stands on the exact spot with the church next to it. Its strangely shaped slate tiled roof is supposed to represent the flames (it has quite a dragon-like appearance to my mind). Next to the church the same style roof sweeps away to cover the food market and the ensemble is quite a contrast to the wood and timber buildings on the other side of the square.

From here the Rue du Gros Horologe takes you to the Great Clock housed in a Gothic Belfry with a Renaissance archway. It is spectacular. The astronomical clock and the phases of the moon dates from the early 16th century

Another amazing building in Rouen is the Palais de Justice. This building almost has the air of a cathedral it is so beautifully decorated on the outside. It has been restored since the war but certain parts have been deliberately left exposed as a testament to the bombardments the city suffered during its liberation by the allies. The Palais de Justice is the largest civil Gothic building in France.

The impressive Abbey Church of Saint-Ouen, and the ominous Joan of Arc Tower where Joan was imprisoned and threatened with torture.

Rouen Museums

There are several museums in Rouen, including a Museum of Fine Arts (with an important display of Impressionist Paintings) and a Museum of Ceramics (historically an important product in the town). Gustave Flaubert (Madame Bovary, Salambo) was born in the town, commemorated as a museum in the house where he was born. Rouen’s Natural History Museum is second in France only to that of Paris and has an impressive collection.

Joan of Arc in Rouen

It is hard to visit Rouen without thinking a little of Joan of Arc. After the Burgundians had captured Joan of Arc, and subsequently sold her to the English, she was brought to the town, threatened with torture at the Joan of Arc Tower, then put on trial for heresy. She was subsequently burned at the stake here in the Place du Vieux Marché on 30 May 1431.

The Church of Saint Joan is the modern church that you will see in Rouen, in the Place du Vieux Marché.

(Note: some Rouen photos kindly contributed by Vincent-J Liagre)

Rouen Photos (click any picture to visit)