Rouen Cathedral

Description:

Introduction

One of the most famous cathedrals in France, the Cathedral of Notre Dame, Rouen dates from the 12th century and is one of the most important examples of French Gothic architecture.

The cathedral is immortalised in a series of paintings by Monet and is the seat of the Archbishop of Rouen and Normandy. The cathedral was partly rebuilt in the 13th century following a catastrophic fire and was damaged again in World War 2.

The building is a tour de force of French Gothic architecture and of particular note are the main portal adorned with sculptures of the prophets and apostles, the St Romain tower which is the oldest part of the building and the Choir with its beautiful 15th century stained glass windows.

The cathedral houses the remains of Rollo, father of William Duke of Normandy and the first Viking ruler of the region later to be known as Normandy or ‘land of the Norsemen’. The heart of Richard the Lionheart, a direct descendant of Rollo, is also buried in the cathedral.

The cathedral is situated at the heart of the old town  among anumber of other remarkable medieval buildings.

The cathedral is depicted in a series of paintings by the impressionist painter Monet, who lived at nearby at Giverny. The paintings show the cathedral in different light at various times of the day. These are among some of Monet's most famous works.