Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Rouen Travel Guide

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, officially the Cathédrale Primatiale Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Rouen, is the most prestigious monument in the city of Rouen. This cathedral, dedicated to Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, serves as the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Rouen, the capital of the ecclesiastical province of Normandy. The Archbishop of Rouen holds the title of Primate of Normandy, giving his cathedral the rank of Primate.The cathedral's construction spans several architectural periods, from Early Gothic to late Flamboyant and Renaissance styles. Building began in the mid-12th century on the site of a Romanesque cathedral, retaining the crypt. The facade, famous for its asymmetry, showcases the evolution of Gothic art from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The cathedral's interior features a soaring tower-lantern, rising to 51 meters.Inside, discover the tombs of Norman Dukes like Rollo, the founder of Normandy, and Richard the Lionheart, who requested his heart be placed there. The cathedral is known worldwide, thanks to Claude Monet's series of approximately 30 paintings capturing the cathedral at different times of day and in varying seasons. The cathedral has two doors on the Place de la Cathédrale. The north tower, Tour Saint-Romain, has a 12th-century lower section and a Flamboyant Gothic upper section. The carillon in the Saint-Romain tower is one of the largest in France. The Butter Tower got its name in the 16th century from donations made to allow the consumption of butter during Lent. The cathedral's spire, made of cast iron, reaches a height of 151 meters.