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Rouen: the heart of historic Normandy
Lively and lovely Rouen is situated on the banks of the winding River Seine and is Normandy’s cultural capital. Monet’s dozens of depictions of Rouen Cathedral, the tallest in France, have made this towering masterpiece of Gothic architecture a prominent symbol of the city of Rouen as well as of Normandy. But how did Rouen become the heart of Normandy and the city is it today?
In addition to the Gauls, Romans and Vikings both settled in this part of France, and in the 10th century, Rouen became Normandy’s capital under the Vikings. Not surprisingly, the Seine was essential to Rouen’s development over hundreds of years into one of France’s most important ports.
Medieval times
In the Middle Ages, the nobility and the prosperous merchants of this wealthy city supported the building of great religious structures as well as commissioning impressive homes for themselves. If you had a birds-eye view of the city, you would see a string of tremendous churches laid out from east to west: Saint-Ouen, Saint-Maclou, Notre Dame Cathedral and, now, a modern church dedicated to Joan of Arc. Victor Hugo once described Rouen as "the city of a hundred spires." Perhaps this was a slight exaggeration, but the visual effect of the local church architecture is undeniable.
English medieval history is inextricably linked to Rouen, from William the Conqueror to Richard the Lionhearted, and, of course, Joan of Arc. Following her brave campaign against the English army, she was captured by Burgundians and sold to the English as a prisoner of war. Joan was eventually tried by French churchmen in English-ruled Rouen in 1431, being martyred at the funeral pyre in 1431. You can find a museum dedicated to Joan of Arc in the Archbishop's Palace.
In the 20th century, Rouen was damaged heavily during World War II and was finally liberated by Canadian troops on August 30, 1944.
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