Rouen: A Historic and Cultural City
Rouen is the prefecture of Seine-Maritime and the second largest city in Normandy in terms of population. It is famous for its historical heritage and its seaport, which remains an important economic center.
History and identity
Rouen was the capital of the Duchy of Normandy from 911 to 1204, then experienced a significant textile boom from the 13th century. During the Hundred Years' War, Joan of Arc was imprisoned there, tried and burned alive in 1431. Heavily damaged during Red Week in 1944, the city then regained its dynamism thanks to its industrial and port activities.
What to see
The center retains numerous half-timbered houses and a group of religious buildings which explains the nickname “City of a Hundred Steeples”. Notre-Dame Cathedral, among the tallest in the world, dominates this heritage; the large seaport and the Armada recall the lasting role of the Seine and navigation.
Understanding the place
To visit Rouen, check access to historic sites and its seaport. Plan your itinerary taking into account the left bank and Lacroix Island.
Where to stay
A hotel in the historic center makes it easier to travel between old houses, pedestrian streets and religious buildings. Saint-Sever, on the left bank, constitutes another base for discovering the two banks and Lacroix Island; check connections before booking.
Prepare for the visit
Timetables, access conditions and transport may change. Consult the official pages linked from the source before the trip, protect the heritage and leave the entrances to the houses free. Source in local language.