Rouen opens doors to many things, gastronomy, gardens, and Impressionism from Monet to pixels. For the latter, the light-show that takes place each year from June to September is an extravaganza that must be seen.
There are many important architectural buildings to see in Rouen but unless one is spending a week or so in the city, it will be impossible to see all of them. The exteriors are beautiful but the interiors are worthy of a lot of time spent on them.
Below is a list of what most people consider the unmissable sites, in no particular order.
Bureau des Finances - the oldest edifice still standing in Rouen, now home to the tourist office. It was built in the 16th century.
The Cathedral of Rouen:
Located in the heart of the city and completed over many centuries, the building is a record of how Gothic architecture evolved over the years. Immortalised in the 19th century by Claude Monet's many paintings of the exterior of the church. The cast-iron spire is the tallest in France at 151 metres.
St. Maclou's Cburch, Rouen
Art historians consider this to be the jewel of the Gothic period with a famed five-panelled porch boasting magnificently carved doors dating from the Renaissance. The cemetery attached to the church dates from the Great Plague of 1348 which killed three quarters of the Parish. The Aîitre St. Maclou was built as a plague cemetery.
St. Ouen's Abbey, Rouen
Once the most powerful Benedictine monastery in Normandy, the Abbey is often mistaken for the cathedral on account of its majestic proportions, 137 metres long with vaults 33 metres high. The church's other claim to fame is its great organ built by Cavaille-Coll, one of the most recorded organs in the world.
Palais de Justice, Rouen
An important and beautiful example of civil architecture from the Middle Ages and formerly the Normandy Parliament Building, it now houses the Law Courts.
Place du Vieux Marché, Rouen
The Market Square and one of the most beautiful squares in France, lined with half-timbered houses and housing the contrasting modern church of Joan of Arc who was burnt at the stake here on 30th May 1431 during the Hundred Years War. A huge cross has been erected on the site in honour of the Maid of Orleans, France's national heroine. The church with its slate and copper scales is quite striking and inside the building, the Renaissance strained glass windows from St. Vincent's church which was destroyed during the second world war, allow jewel-coloured lighting to pour through the windows.
Gros-Horloge, Rouen (The Big Clock)
With its Gothic Belfry and Renaissance Archway, the Gros Horloge attracts many visitors. On the two clock faces a single hand indicates the hour and the pashal lamb on the underside of the arch represents the town's coat of arms.
Botanical Gardens, St. Catherine's Hill and Town Hall Gardens
These gardens offer pleasant walking experiences and the Botanical Garden also offers leisure activities, cultural events and folklore evenings. From the summit of St. Catherine's Hill there is a remarkable view of the city and the seine.
For information on these or any other places of interest, contact the Tourist Office, 254 Place de la Cathedrale, (Tel: 02 32 08 32 40 or email: tourisme@rouen.fr
Mari Nicholson - Award Winning travel writer and historian, member of British Guild of Travel Writers.Travelwriters.co.uk, and Society of Women Writers and ...
