When was rouen built

The Anglo-French kings kept a deep affection for the city. William the Conqueror often held court here.

After Joan had inspired a lightning series of successes against the English army south along the Loire, she was captured by Burgundians and ransomed off at vast price to the English. Joan was tried by French churchmen in English-ruled Rouen in , ending up on the funeral pyre here in In medieval times, lords and the prosperous merchants of the city, as well as commissioning fine homes for themselves, supported the building of great religious buildings.

Lined up in a row going from east to west through the centre of town is a string of tremendous churches — Saint-Ouen, Saint-Maclou, Notre Dame Cathedral and the modern church dedicated to Joan of Arc.

This being a university town, there is a thriving nightlife too. Rouen is now focusing its attention on the River Seine, with increasing initiatives to open up the quaysides to the public. Parks and gardens have recently been built along the left bank, while on the right bank, bars, restaurants and nightclubs line the quayside. The recent Rouen Armada maritime festival in June provided an excellent opportunity for visitors to enjoy everything that this newly-developed part of Rouen has to offer.

The next Armada is programmed in June See all articles. Rouen Tourist Office. The Rouen Cathedral is a religious monument constructed in two phases with two distinct styles: starting in for its Roman-inspired section and in for its Gothic-inspired one. It was completed in The edifice has enjoyed the title of Historical Monument since It must be noted that the remains of King Richard the Lionheart lie in the Cathedral.

At meters high and meters long, it is the highest and asymmetrical cathedral in France since the reconstruction of its cast iron spire in The edifice is also internationally known thanks to a series of 30 impressionist paintings by French painter Claude Monet, in love with Normandy.

The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Rouen borrows inspiration from a Roman-styled building that dates from the 20th century. Legend has it that the cathedral houses relics of the Virgin Mary. Read on for a brief history of the cathedral and then go and see it for yourself. Throughout the years, it experienced hardships including a fire in , damage by the Calvinists during the French Wars of Religion in the 16th century, and bombings during the Second World War. It held the title of the tallest building in the world from to , until it was surpassed by the Cologne Cathedral.

It is still considered to be the tallest cathedral in France. While the church carries an important history, perhaps its most intriguing feature is its spectacular example of Gothic architecture.

The church displays the full spectrum of Gothic architecture eras, from early to late and even Neo-gothic in its spire. Unsurprisingly, this impactful building located in one of the most important cities of Normandy influenced the artists of the region, particularly Camille Pissarro and Claude Monet. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame was where the Dukes of Normandy were traditionally crowned, as well as where many of them were buried; their tombs are still housed by the church today.

There is also a plaque commemorating the former crypt of the Duke of Bedford, John Plantagenet, one of the main overseers in the trial of Joan of Arc. His original black marble tomb was demolished by the Calvinists in the 16th century. Try to plan a visit to Rouen to coincide with the Cathedral of Lights show: an epic display that takes place annually, illuminating the church with vivid images and accompanied by music, pertaining to the theme of the year. Past themes have included Impressionism and Joan of Arc and the Vikings.