Rouen Cathedral & Old Town

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen

The Gothic cathedral Monet painted more than 30 times, home to France's tallest spire. Nearby Rue du Gros-Horloge and the site where Joan of Arc was executed make up the medieval Old Town.

Rouen, the capital of Normandy and a historic city on the banks of the Seine, was dubbed the “City of a Hundred Spires” by Victor Hugo. Notre-Dame Cathedral was begun in the 12th century and blends styles from early Gothic to Flamboyant Gothic. Its cast-iron spire rises 151 meters, the tallest in France. The two towers on the west façade are asymmetrical. The southern one, the “Butter Tower,” is said to have been built with the indulgence money that the faithful paid for permission to eat butter during Lent. Between 1892 and 1894, Monet painted more than 30 views of the cathedral façade from a building across the square, capturing the building in different light at different times of day. These Impressionist masterpieces are partly held at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. Inside is the tomb of Richard I of England, “the Lionheart,” whose heart is buried here. Entry to the cathedral is free. It is generally open about 09:00 to 19:00, but on Mondays it opens only in the afternoon. Walk west along Rue du Gros-Horloge and you will find a 14th-century astronomical clock spanning the street, and you can climb the clock tower. Continue west to the Vieux-Marché square, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. The distinctive Church of Joan of Arc now stands here. The Old Town preserves many half-timbered houses, and the art museum has a rich collection, with its permanent exhibits free of charge. Getting there: the train from Paris Saint-Lazare takes about 1 hour 15 minutes, and it is about a 15-minute walk from the station to the cathedral. The city suits a half-day to full-day visit, or a stop on the way to Étretat and Giverny.

Rouen Cathedral & Old Town

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby