Rouen - Impressionist Normandy
Rouen is the Capital of Normandy and the Seine-Maritime department. The city, also known as the ‘Ville aux cent clochers’ has preserved much of it’s historical centre which is now largely composed of pedestrian streets.
As you walk through the historical centre, past half timbered houses, discover architectural treasures for example Gothic monuments like the Notre Dame Cathedral, St Ouen Abbey, Saint Maclou Church and the Palais de Justice or Renaissance style monuments like the Gros Horloge, Saint Maclou Ossuary and the Bourgtheroulde Mansion.
Or you can also follow in the steps of Richard the Lion Heart, Joan of Arc, Pierre Corneille or Gustave Flaubert, some of the many characters who have been part of Rouen’s history.
There are also many cultural events and performances throughout the summer period, for example the ‘From Monet to Pixels’ light show on the façade of the Cathedral which transforms the impressive gothic monument into a huge painting canvas with images inspired by Claude Monet’s paintings. An amazing and impressive show!
B. Voisin/Copyright: CRT Normandy, OT Rouen
Not to be missed in Rouen :?Gros-Horloge Clock
?Notre-Dame cathedral
?The timber-framed houses and pedestrianised streets
?The antiquarian district
?Harbour activity and river tourism
?Museums : Fine Arts, Gros Horloge, Natural History, Ceramics, wrought-iron work at Ferronerie, Le Secq des Tournelles, Antiques, National Museum of Education, Joan of Arc, Flaubert, river and maritime
?Gothic churches (Saint-Ouen Abbey, Saint-Maclou, Saint-Patrice, Saint-Godard, Saint-Vivien)
?Unusual sites : Aîtres Saint-Maclou (plague cemetery), Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde, Salle des Procureurs (prosecutor's room)
?Surrounding region: the valley of the Seine and the Norman Abbeys, Giverny, Etretat....