Table of Contents:
GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE.
OTHER ARCHITECTURE.
SEE ROUEN AS INSPIRATION.
Rouen is lucky to have any architecture from pre-WWII as it was within easy striking distance of the English coast. And yet, it holds the quintessential elements of Norman architecture, including the half-timbered houses and Gothic cathedrals. If you look closely, you may see a little dash of French Art Nouveau here and there.
The town still holds around 2,000 half-timbered buildings and is busy restoring many of them. With the bombing in WWII and firestorms from the explosion, it is incredible the number of buildings remaining. Estimates say that 25% of the cities houses were victims to WWII.
Victor Hugo said Rouen was the City of one hundred bells due to the many church bell towers. The city is home to some of France’s most beautiful churches, all survivors of the war.
SEE ROUEN GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE.
You can see the Notre-Dame Cathedral from far away as it dominates the skyline. The spire reaches just short of 500 feet high. See the Tour de Beurre (butter tower) to the right and the Tour Saint Romain on the left.
The Church of Saint-Maclou is a striking example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. With a dedication to Breton’s Patron Saint Malo, it dates from around 1435. The church did receive damage by bombs during the Second World War. It still contains a few original stained-glass windows.
Saint Ouen Abbey Church is an impressive cathedral. It would be the centerpiece of any city if it did not have to compete with Rouen’s Notre Dame. It is the largest church featuring the Rayonnant Gothic style. There are two spire-towers soaring above the western façade. The central tower rises more than 260 feet in the air. The lantern tower goes by the nickname “Crown of Normandy.”
The Palais de Justice dates from 1499 and is in the Louis XII style. This is a transition between the early Renaissance and Gothic. With each addition, it became more Gothic. It features Flamboyant to neo-Gothic and has the mandatory gargoyles.
Around the city, you will see other works of Gothic design, from early to late. It stands out next to many of the different architectural styles present.
See Rouen’s Other Architecture
While standing facing the Gothic Notre Dame, turn around and look at the Grande Pharmacie du Centre. This Art Deco building still serves as a pharmacy. Notice the intricate ironwork by French blacksmith, Raymond Subes.
To its left is the tourist office. Formerly a finance office, it is the oldest Renaissance building in Rouen, dating back to 1509. Today it is on the historical monument list.
Rouen’s Rive-Droite train station dates from 1847. The design is by French architect Adolphe Dervaux and is Art Nouveau.
The Church of St Joan of Arc is a recent addition (1979) to the Rouen architectural scene. The steeple represents the flames lapping at Saint Joan.
Place du Vieux-Marché, (Joan de Arc Square) has the modern church, numerous half-timber buildings, and France’s oldest inn.
The Gros-Horloge (Great-Clock) is a fourteenth-century astronomical clock. The arch below it is from the Renaissance while the belfry above it is Gothic.
Just strolling the streets can bring you upon exciting architecture.
And everywhere you look, there are the half-timber buildings that the city is refurbishing. More than 1000 of these structures have already been the target of some T.L.C.
There are many streets where you will get the feeling you are in an amusement park instead of an old French street.
See Rouen as an Inspiration.
The school of French Impressionism began in Normandy. The name comes from the title of a Claude Monet canvas, Impression Sunrise, dating from 1873.
Eleven of Monet’s cathedral paintings are on view at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen.
The nearby Normandy coast, fishing villages and medieval town of Honfleur have also been the subjects of many artists.
And there is Giverny. Many painters come here to capture the landscapes, but it belongs to Claude Monet.
Squint your eyes, and you can almost see the painting.
Come see Rouen.