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    Tourist Attractions in Rouen

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Rouen. Photos and a brief description.

    Rouen
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    About Rouen

    Normandy is a country of peaceful rural landscapes, green meadows, beautiful Gothic castles and ancient legends. This is the land of the famous William the Conqueror, who practically laid the foundation for the history of neighboring England as a state. In Norman Rouen, the legendary Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc, was convicted and executed. Nowadays, an elegant temple stands next to the place of her burning.

    The streets of Rouen are a real museum of Gothic architecture. Several hundred houses have been built here in the magnificent “flaming Gothic” style. The exquisite facades and spires of the Palace of Justice, decorated with fine stone lace, and the incredible stained-glass windows of Rouen Cathedral delight even people who are indifferent to architectural beauty.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Rouen

    Vieux Marche Square

    The legendary Joan of Arc, the heroine of the Hundred Years' War, canonized by the Catholic Church in the XX century, was burned on the Vieux Marche Square. Many of the buildings surrounding this place are somehow connected with her name. On the square there is a museum dedicated to the memory of Jeanne, as well as a monument surrounded by flower beds and marking the place of her execution. Along the perimeter of the square there are elegant half-timbered houses decorating the city landscape.

    Rouen Cathedral

    The cathedral is one of the most striking monuments of Gothic architecture in France. It was built in the XIII century on the foundation of a Romanesque church of the XI century. The archbishop's palace adjoins the temple, which forms a single architectural complex with it. The bell tower of the cathedral reaches a height of 151 meters. The architecture of the temple made a strong impression on the artist K. Monet, who created a series of paintings dedicated to the cathedral.

    St. Ouen Abbey

    The abbey was founded in the VI century, gradually it turned into the most influential monastery in Normandy. The monastery existed until the IX century, until it was ravaged by the pagan Normans. The restoration took place in the XI century under William I the Conqueror. The first church of the monastery was built in the Romanesque style, later in the XIV-XVI centuries. the building was rebuilt in accordance with the canons of the Gothic style.

    St. Ouen Abbey
    Saint Maclou Church

    Saint Maclou Church

    The temple is built in the picturesque style of flaming Gothic. Its spires really resemble the tongues of a fireplace flame stretching to the heavens. The church was built in the period 1437-1521 on voluntary donations from patrons. The temple is decorated with bright artful stained-glass windows of the XV century and elegant decorative elements. During the Second World War, the temple was partially destroyed, the restoration was completed in 2010.

    Abbey of Saint-Georges de Beaucherville

    The Benedictine monastery of the XI-XII centuries, which suffered greatly during the religious wars between Protestants and Catholics. Some buildings had to be rebuilt, so there are buildings of both the XII century and the XVII century on the territory of the abbey, and there is some mixing of architectural styles. Around the monastery there is a picturesque French park with hedges, an orchard and a vegetable garden of medicinal plants.

    Abbey of Saint-Georges de Beaucherville
    Church of Saint Joan of Arc

    Church of Saint Joan of Arc

    The temple is located on the Vieux Marche Square. In the XVI century, a Gothic cathedral stood in its place, of which only stained glass windows remained. St. Joan's Church is built in a modern manner using asymmetrical architectural forms and interesting engineering solutions. The roof of the structure symbolizes the flames in which Jeanne died. The complex of church buildings also includes an indoor market.

    Tower of Joan of Arc

    The tower is the only surviving structure of the Rouen Castle, which was erected for Philip II Augustus. Local limestone was used for the construction of fortifications. The structure was destroyed during the religious wars. The donjon tower is known for the fact that the trial of the Maid of Orleans took place here in 1431. However, Jeanne was imprisoned in another tower, now destroyed.

    Tower of Joan of Arc
    Palace of Justice

    Palace of Justice

    The palace is considered one of the most picturesque buildings in Rouen. It was erected in the XVI century according to the project of R. Leroux and R. Angot and was used for meetings of the city council. The building is a striking example of secular Gothic. Nowadays, a local court sits in the palace, two museums and a library are also located here. The palace facade resembles a fancy stone lace, its decorative details are so skillfully executed.

    Museum of Fine Arts

    The gallery is one of the largest in Normandy, its permanent exhibition is located in 60 halls. Especially significant and complete are the collections of the XVII and XIX centuries. The collection contains works by Modigliani, Renoir, Lancre, Moreau, Monet and other masters. In addition to paintings, the museum's collection includes sculptures, graphics, jewelry and furniture. The museum constantly hosts temporary exhibitions of famous and recognized artists.

    Museum of Fine Arts
    Museum of Blacksmithing

    Museum of Blacksmithing

    The museum has existed since the XIX century, it is located in the church building of the XVI century. Initially, the exhibition was located in Paris, later it was moved to Rouen. The museum's collection contains items of artistic forging from the Roman period to the XX century. Many of the exhibits were brought from Arab and Asian countries, as well as from Russia. In the museum you can see wrought iron grilles, utensils, decorative railings, signs and much more.

    Panorama XXL

    An interactive exhibition that immerses visitors in the atmosphere of different eras. "Panorama" is a huge metal cylinder 34 meters in diameter and 35 meters in height. Inside this cylinder there is a circular three-dimensional fresco that reproduces the chain of events of a certain historical period. In 2015, it was the year 312 – the time of the adoption of Christianity by Emperor Constantine, in 2016 – the panorama of Rouen from the time of Joan of Arc.

    Panorama XXL
    Museum of Ceramics

    Museum of Ceramics

    The collection is located in a historic mansion of the XVI century. There are exhibits related to the period of the XVI-XIX centuries. For the first time in France, the secret of making faience was revealed to the residents of Rouen. Up to this point, only Italian masters owned the secret. By the XVII century Rouen became famous all over the world for its ceramic products. During the guided tour, you can learn about the technology of making ceramics.

    Big Clock Street

    A pedestrian street located between the Market Square and Rouen Cathedral. City houses with half-timbered facades are located along the street. Its name came from an old astronomical clock, which is located on a stone arch of the XVI century. Several centuries ago, they even hired a special caretaker who monitored the serviceability of the mechanism and lived near the arch.

    Big Clock Street
    Botanical Garden of Rouen

    Botanical Garden of Rouen

    The garden was founded in the XVII century. At first it was a private territory, once even Napoleon Bonaparte owned it. In the XIX century, the garden became city property and became accessible to everyone. Some parts of the park are closed to the public, as research activities are conducted within them. In the city botanical garden there is a large rose garden where varieties bred by Normandy specialists grow.

    Gustave Flaubert Bridge

    The bridge was built in 2008, equipped with lifting structures and has a large capacity. The spans are specially placed high above the water so that large vessels can safely pass under them. The supporting columns of the bridge rise 91 meters above the Seine, the length of the spans is more than 1 km. The structure was designed by engineers E. Zublen and M. Virlojo. The cost of construction works amounted to 155 million euros.

    Gustave Flaubert Bridge