Rouen is a historic city on the Seine where medieval streets timber framed houses and grand Gothic architecture come together to create a vivid sense of the past while still feeling alive and modern. The Cathedral of Notre Dame rises with delicate stonework that shifts in mood with the changing light and its tall spire dominates the skyline. Around it narrow lanes unfold with arcades shops and old façades that show the city’s long role as a commercial and cultural center. The Gros Horloge a Renaissance clock set above an arched passage marks the heart of the old town and nearby squares open into lively spaces filled with cafés and daily activity. Rouen also carries a strong artistic and literary presence with many places recalling Jeanne dArc Monet and Flaubert yet the city balances this heritage with riverside walks green spaces and a welcoming rhythm that blends tradition with contemporary life.
Part of: France