Route to discover Rouen, the city of a hundred bell towers

roan

Normandy is a French region that usually attracts tourists interested in World War II, since it is a first-class historical place, the scene of battles that changed the course of the war. However, Normandy also stands out for its beautiful landscapes, its delicious gastronomy and its charming cities.

One of them is Rouen, capital of Upper Normandy and the birthplace of illustrious figures in the history of France. like the painter Géricault, the writer Flaubert or the filmmaker Jacques Rivette. Among some of the most important episodes in the history of Rouen are the bombings of World War II and the trial of Joan of Arc, the famous French saint and heroine who played an important role in the Hundred Years War.

Walking through the streets of Rouen we can discover the treasures of this city-museum that does not leave those who visit it indifferent. Can you come with us?

How to get to Rouen from Paris

Once in Paris we must take a train at the Saint Lazare railway station, the most central of all. The journey takes about an hour and on the way you can see beautiful landscapes and medieval villages.

Rouen Cathedral

rouen cathedral

As it is not a large city, it can be seen in a couple of days since its main tourist attractions are very close to each other in the historic center. The starting point of the route through Rouen is the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Rouen, a Gothic temple built around the XNUMXth century whose towers were immortalized by the impressionist Claude Monet on many occasions.

Access is free and its interior is impressive. As a curiosity, it is home to the heart of the English King Richard I "The Lionheart" and has the particularity of preserving his archiepiscopal palace dating from the same time. This was where the second trial of Joan of Arc took place.

Other churches in Rouen

Just 300 meters east of the Cathedral is the Saint-Maclou church, surrounded by picturesque half-timbered houses. This temple belongs to the late Gothic period and throughout its history it has suffered many damages due to wars, the passage of time and pollution.

rouen abbey saint ouen

Saint-Ouen Abbey

We will find another essential church heading north, close to Saint-Maclou. It is often confused with the cathedral due to its imposing dimensions but it is the Saint-Ouen Abbey. Built between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries, it stands out for being a beautiful example of flamboyant Gothic architecture and for its organ from 1890. Joan of Arc was imprisoned in this place before being executed.

Great Clock of Rouen

We will find the rest of the important attractions to the west of the Cathedral. From the Cathedral Square we can walk towards the Gros Horloge or Great Clock of Rouen down the street that bears his name, one of the busiest in the city center.

big watch roan

This XNUMXth century astronomical clock is one of the oldest in Europe and you can visit it to find out how it works. It was the first clock that was built to receive the first bells of the city of Rouen, which are housed in the clock's bell tower.

The Gros Horloge is made up of a Gothic bell tower, a pavilion, a Renaissance vault with spectacular ceiling engravings and a classical fountain. On the outside, the golden finish stands out, which makes the whole stand out.

Rouen Palace of Justice

rouen courthouse

From here we can head north to see the Palace of Justice, the largest civil flamboyant Gothic building in France, built in the late XNUMXth century. This style had its peak in northern France and in present-day Belgium and the Netherlands, although it also spread to other parts of Europe.

This building was erected to house the Échiquir de Normandie, that is, the Court of Justice. However, it is currently used as the seat of the Parliament of the Normandy region.

Rouen Old Market Square

old market square rouen

This square was the scene of the death of Joan of Arc at the stake during the Hundred Years War. A large cross stands in the place where the pyre was located. In the middle of the square, next to the current church of Santa Juana de Arco, you can see vestiges of the old church of Saint-Vicent. The church of Santa Juana de Arco was built on the same place of her torment. This modern church, built by Louis Arretche in 1979, is intended to honor Saint Joan of Arc and be a civil memorial to commemorate her figure.

Museums in Rouen

rouen fine arts museum

The cultural walk continues inside the museums of Rouen. The Museum of Fine Arts brings together an exceptional set of paintings, drawings and sculptures to which must be added furniture and other art objects from various eras. Its collection includes works by Caravaggio, Velázquez, Delacroix, Théodore Géricault, Modigliani and also Claude Monet and Alfred Sisley.

Other very interesting museums are the Museum of Antiquities, Natural Sciences, Ceramics, Flaubert, History of Medicine and Joan of Arc.


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