Things to Do in Rouen

Soaring into Rouen’s skyline is the massive iron spire that rises from this cathedral; this is not a building you should have much trouble finding. The spire briefly made this cathedral that tallest building in the world was not the only feature to capture Claude Monet’s imagination as he painted the flamboyantly Gothic building over and over again. The first church on this site, from 396 AD, was destroyed and replaced by Normans; the remains of the 1096 Norman church can be seen in the crypt. The current building was completed around 1250, but the façade and other additions were made over the passing centuries. The Tour Lanterne was added in 1876.

 To see:

• The 12 century Porte St. Jean to the left.
• The Gothic stonework.
• The Porte Central with Jesus’s family tree.
• The Porte St Etienne depicting St. Stephen.
• The soaring 13th century choir.
• The stained glass from multiple ages.
• The Joseph window.
• The bookseller’s stairway.
• The Chapel of the Lady containing French Royalty tombs.
• The heart of Richard the Lion Hearted.

Few places are at once a civil memorial and a church, but if any place deserves to be, it’s this one. Joan of Arc, heroine of France was burnt at stake at this very spot, and the church is built to reflect the flames that consumed her. The small hallways and the shape of the roof are evocative of fire – a style unlike any other church ever built. The stained glass here is Renaissance era, but the building itself wasn’t completed until 1979. It’s a strange blend of the modern and the classic.

This beautiful 16th century building, built under the rule of Lois XII was once the Royal Palace. A little later, it became the Parliament of Normandy. They say it is one of the most important civil architectural achievements of the Late Middle Ages. The main building body has two wings at right angles the stretch south. Its Gothic influences really are stunningly beautiful.

The highlights are:

• Large skylights
• Pinnacled balustrades
• An incredibly ornamented façade
• Elegant octagonal turret
• The sculptures that surround the windows
• A beautifully decorated ceiling
• The tombs of the first president Claude Groulard and his wife

Unfortunately, as the building now serves as the local courthouse, the public isn’t allowed to go inside, so you’ll just have to admire it from outside. Unless of course, you can sweet talk a gendarme to let you in briefly. Don’t bet on it.

This place, the keep of Rouen Castle would hardly qualify as a tourist attraction at all, but for it’s single sheer historical occupant – the Joan of Arc. It was here that Joan was kept prisoner from December 1430 and tried from 21 February to 23 May 1431. There’s not much to see here though. There are three rooms and an attic. That’s it.

A really big and intricate old astronomical clock from the 14th century set into a Renaissance arch – that’s what you’re getting. It’s also the largest of it’s kind still around. We won’t give away the features here; it’s enough to say this is one of the quirkiest clocks you’ll ever come across. A short and sweet tour will tell you every thing you need to know, let you take all the pictures you could want, see the mechanism in action, and if you’re bringing kids they can experience all of this Alice in Wonderland style. The building is one of the only two institutes in the country to be dedicated to clock-making. Climb to the top to look down on Rouen.

Though this sixteenth century building has been classified as a historical monument, it still continues to function as a hotel. And what a beautiful hotel! What a privilege to stay here! It has a Gothic façade. The left wing’s back has an Italian Renaissance gallery decorated in limestone carved reliefs. The right wing on the other hand is a classic gothic pavilion, built in the 18th century.

And that’s really the reason you should spend a couple of nights at this hotel. It’s not often you’ll be able to enjoy an opportunity to stay in a historical monument. The staff and the location are both brilliant, and you’ll be treated like nobility while you’re here.

Though, theoretically, you could just visit for free.

Aside from a good collection of fine art from the Renaissance to the present, the museum is noted for having a precious collection of rare Russian icons from the 15th - 19th centuries. Another popular exhibit is the Masterpieces of Florence Museums. Practically every European school of art is represented in the paintings here. There’s also a famous statue of Hercules slaying the hydra. The museum receives its 300,000 annual visitors

A part of the original Romanesque church collapsed and those in charge decided that this just wont do…so they went and built this incredible Flamboyant Gothic church that came to be patronised by some of the most powerful families and individuals in Rouen.

To See:

• The Christ Tympanum.
• The western facade with the five gabled porches.
• The rose window on the western wall.

Though founded in the 7th century, this is classic Late Gothic architecture at its finest. Larger than Rouen Cathedral yet less ornately decorated, it’s architectural sensibilities are much more starkly felt. Set into a picturesque neighbourhood, it’s form is pure, befitting the building that once a Benedictine powerhouse.

To see:

• 80 magnificent stained glass windows that beautifully filter daylight.
• The octagonal lantern tower.
• A grand 19th century pipe organ – one of the most recorded instruments in the world.
• 14th century choir.
• 15th century nave.

There’s actually two parts to this road – the one you want is the pedestrian one. The pretty cobblestoned street makes for a lovely stroll anytime between noon and evening.

The buildings are all classically half-timbered, which is always cute; a stream flows right through the curb, and of course, no cars. There are a number of great pubs and restaurants on the sides, but you can try out the crepe vendors instead. Kids can also enjoy a small carousel. There are benches where you can rest and see the actual Rouen populace go about their day. Very few tourists come by, so it’s not horribly commercialised.

It’s a great place to people watch.

A weekend family retreat and a conservatory at the same time, this is one of Rouen’s favourite getaways. The flowers bloom in anticipation of the seasons; there’s an aviary of exotic birds; ducks and turtles in the water; and even an educational bee garden. In springtime, you might find the place full of painters out to capture their favourite flowers on canvas.

Why would anyone expect to find the world’s largest ironware collection housed in an old, if beautiful church? Not sure, but at least a brilliant collection got a brilliant location. The 8000 iron made items range from Gallo-Roman to modern times and showcase how usage of the metal evolved. The exhibitions are divided by item type: keys and locks; gates, hinges and door knockers; utensils; tools; personal apparel; sewing etc. If you weren’t expecting much, prepare to be surprised; the collection is fantastic and highly intriguing.

The pretty street takes its name from the Archbishop of Rouen from the 7th century. Running along the Notre Dame, this picturesque place has been a favourite subject of painters and artists through the centuries. House No. 70 here is the street’s most famous site – a 15th century Gothic building that is also once Rouen’s oldest buildings. The other buildings are mostly Rennaisance or Gothic, usually half-timbered.

For tourists, this is actually a great place to rent a room if you can. It’s centrally located; markets, restaurants, shops, museums are all within waling distance; and the terraces and balconies are almost always filled with flowers. If you’re not staying here though, simply sit a while at a café and watch the people go by.

In 1892, Claude Monet sat down here on the top of this hill to paint his famous panorama of Rouen. It’s not hard to see why – just get to the top of the hill. The overview of Rouen from here is simply unbeatable. And that’s not even taking into account the fact that this is one of the nicest places for a walk in the city. Carry your camera.

There’s only one potential downside: to get to the top of this hill, you have to climb 525 steps. Not an easy job.

Medicine has come a long way even in the last century, and if you want to know exactly where it came from, this is the place to find out. The author who became infamous with Madame Bovary also has a lot of literary exhibits here as well as personal effects, but most of the paraphernalia are fascinating pre-modern medical equipment. Seriously, you’ll wonder how is it that doctors managed to save anyone at all with all this primitive junk, but they did. From Antiquity to modern times, medical history is here to be read. There’s even an old time pharmacy a bit reminiscent of an apothecary out of Harry Potter and a 1910 dentistry set up. Outside, there’s a traditional medical herb garden. At any rate, a visit here will leave you better prepared to survive after a potential apolcalypse.