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Rouen

HIGHLIGHTS

• visit the magnificent Cathedrale de Notre Dame
• explore the city on foot and discover medieval half-timbered houses
• stand in the Place du Vieux Marche where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake
• admire the sailing boats and warships at the Rouen Armada

Rouen

Rouen is a thriving port on the river Seine that has prospered from industrialisation and maritime trade. The city is situated in a valley with a backdrop of tree-covered hills. It has a wealth of historic treasures and has spent a considerable amount of money on maintaining its monuments and museums. The majority of these are positioned close to the magnificent Gothic masterpiece, the Cathedrale Notre-Dame and as a result can be admired and explored on foot.

The Cathedrale de Notre-Dame was built between 1201 and 1514. Its infamous west façade was painted by Monet more than thirty times, in order to study the changing light on the stonework. The framework of the Cathedrale consists of two unequal towers, one of which is named the Tour de Beurre, the Butter Tower, as it was allegedly paid for by a tax on butter consumption during Lent!

A suggested walk in Rouen would be to start at the Cathedrale de Notre-Dame, stroll along the rue du Gros Horloge which runs under the city’s Great Clock and continue to the Place du Vieux Marche, where in 1431 Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. In Rouen’s delightful medieval centre you will find over 2000 half timbered houses.

Rouen has a week-long festival, the Rouen Armada, which incorporates fireworks, concerts and parades of sailing boats and warships. Information regarding this event can be found at www.armada.org and it is advisable to book accommodation well in advance.