Rouen, France,Rouen Travel Guide, Rouen Tours, Rouen Vacations, Rouen Tourism France Travel Guide, France Tours, France Vacations, France Tourism World Travel https://www.youtube.com/user/World1Tube With its elegant spires, beautifully restored medieval quarter and soaring Gothic cathedral, the ancient city of Rouen is one of Normandy's highlights. Rouen has had a turbulent history -- it was devastated several times during the Middle Ages by fire and plague, and was occupied by the English during the Hundred Years War. The young French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d'Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. During WWII, Allied bombing raids laid waste to large parts of the city, especially the area south of the cathedral, but over the last six decades the city has been meticulously rebuilt. Rouen offers the visitor a rich architectural heritage accessible to all in a city where the centre is almost completely pedestrianised. Wander through medieval streets amidst half-timbered houses and buildings, the oldest of which date from the 13th century, or visit one of Rouen's many architectural jewels. Excellent examples of the gothic style include Rouen's Notre Dame Cathedral, the abbey church of Saint-Ouen, Saint Maclou church and the Normandy parliament building while the Gros Horloge; the Aître St Maclou or the Hotel de Bourgthéroulde are amongst the finest examples of renaissance buildings in Europe. Apart from the splendour of its architecture, Rouen is renown for many famous historic, literary and artistic characters, including Richard the Lionheart, Joan of Arc, Pierre Corneille, Gustave Flaubert, Guy de Maupassant and, of course, Claude Monet. Visit some interesting places in Rouen here or check out a list of select hotels in Rouen. a street in Rouen FranceWith 14 outstanding collections, Rouen is a truly a museum city. The fine arts museum is home to the second most important collection of Impressionnist works in France while the Ceramics Museum or the Secq de Tournelles metalwork museum both offer unique collections unrivalled anywhere in the world. The Natural History Museum and the Museum Gros Horloge have both recently been entirely renovated; their creative exhibitons are delightful. There is so much to see in Rouen! Dominating the city to the east is Mont St Catherine. Climb to the viewpoint at the top and take in the spectacular view of the city and the river Seine as it winds its way through the dense green of the surrounding hills. A stroll along the rue de l'Eau de Robec wil take the visitor back in time to Rouen's industrial past. The remaining water mills testify to past glories when cloth manufacturing made Rouen one of the wealthiest cities in France. Even today, the city symbol is a sheep, a reminder that Rouen owed her opulence to the wool en and textile industries. A short walk along the Seine waterfront takes the visitor into the heart of the thriving river port - the largest and most important of its kind in France. At the eastern end of the city stands the imposing new Gustave Flaubert Bridge. Rouen is host to a whole variety of events and lively entertainment; summer nights here are dominated by the Son et Lumière show which transforms the cathedral porch into a living canvass inspired by the works of Claude Monet. A truly awesome spectacle! Rue Du Gros Cafe in RouenThe town has 3,700 hotel rooms and more than 150 restaurants and 3,000 shops to welcome you. Rouen offers the visitor a gourmet destination with fabulous shopping opportunities. Fiercely proud of her history and heritage, yet ready to face and to lead the way into this new century, Rouen has so much to offer, We hope that the following pages will give you a sense of the warmth of the welcome that awaits you in this most lovely city in the heart of historic Normandy.

• published: 26 Jan 2014
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