Traverse the Historic Streets of Rouen: A Must-See City Steeped in French History

Rouen Cathedral: Perhaps no building represents the city more than the Rouen Cathedral, a magnificent work embodying the tenets of Gothic architecture. Its facade, known as the Monet Facade, was again painted by Claude Monet in a series of works, and it is simply a masterpiece of detail and towering spires. Such a great historical importance attached to the 4th-century cathedral. Inside, one can enter the tombs of the medieval kings, next to which the awesome stained glass windows are located, telling the stories of the ancient past.
Old Market Square and Joan of Arc's Heritage: Rouen has a glorious heritage associated with Joan of Arc-one among the most respected figures in the history of France. One can visit the site of the Old Market Square where she was tried and sentenced to death in the year 1431. It is today the square of the modern Church of Joan of Arc—a very sharp discord with the medieval buildings around; it stands to remind poignantly of her sacrifice and the turbulent history of the city.

Gros-Horloge: One of the most famous and characteristic landmarks in Rouen is the Gros-Horloge. This beautifully ornate record is an astronomical clock dating from the 14th century, nestled within a Renaissance archway. The details of the clock are yet another testimony to the rich artistic legacy of the place. The views over the rooftops from the top of the Gros-Horloge and a closer look at the inner workings of the clock are immense.

Medieval streets and half-timbered houses frame the cobbled lanes you can wander through, turning back the hands of time with each step. Especially along is the full length of Rue du Gros-Horloge and its delightful pedestrian street to trendy shops, cafes, and historic buildings. What gives Rouen its character and makes it unforgettable for history lovers is the preservation of these edifices from the medieval era.

Other museums and galleries in Rouen that represent man's inborn cultural and historical heritage are the Musee des Beaux Art, home to a well-preserved collection of paintings by Monet, Sisley, and Géricault, among others. The city's history museum is housed inside the Gothic-era Aître Saint-Maclou, where one can have interesting insight into the bygone days of Rouen as part of the Hundred Years' War and the importance of the city as a center of commerce and trade.

By virtue of its medieval charm and historical importance, Rouen is bound to take the fancy of any tourist. From the Gothic cathedral to the cobblestoned streets, Rouen seduces you back into a city that lived through some of France's oldest and most significant moments.