Rouen

Rouen (pronounced {{IPA|/ʀuɑ̃/}} in French, sometimes also {{IPA|/ʀwɑ̃/}}) is the historical capital city of Normandy, in northwestern France, and presently the capital of the Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy) région. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, Rouen was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy in the Middle Ages. It was one of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman dynasties, which ruled both England and large parts of modern France from the 11th century to the 15th century. It is in Rouen that the English burnt Joan of Arc in 1431.

Sights

Rouen is known for its Notre Dame cathedral, with its Tour de Beurre (butter tower). The cathedral was the subject of a series of paintings by Claude Monet, some of which are exhibited in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

Related Topics:
Its Notre Dame cathedral - Claude Monet - Musée d'Orsay - Paris

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The Gros Horloge is an astronomical clock (16th century), located in the Gros Horloge street.

Related Topics:
Astronomical clock - 16th century

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Other famous structures include the Gothic Church of Saint Maclou (15th century); the Tour Jeanne d'Arc, where Joan of Arc was brought in 1431 to be threatened with torture (contrary to popular belief, she was not imprisoned there); the Church of Saint Ouen (12th–15th century); the Palais de Justice, which was once the seat of the Parlement (French court of law) of Normandy and the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics which contains a splendid collection of faïence and porcelain for which Rouen was renowned during the 16th to 18th centuries.

Related Topics:
Gothic - 15th century - Palais de Justice - Parlement - Faïence - Porcelain

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Rouen is noted for its surviving half-timbered buildings.

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