Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This modern church is a tribute to the young woman who was canonized in 1920 and later
became the patron saint of France. The church, completed in 1979, feels Scandinavian
inside and out—another reminder of Normandy's Nordic roots. Sumptuous 16th-century
windows, salvaged from a church lost during World War II, were worked into the soft
architectural lines (the €0.50 English pamphlet provides some background and describes
the stained-glass scenes). Similar to modern churches designed by the 20th-century archi-
tect Le Corbusier, this is an uplifting place to be, with a ship's-hull vaulting and sweeping
wood ceiling that sail over curved pews and a wall of glass below. Make time to savor this
unusual place.
Cost and Hours:
Free; Mon-Thu and Sat 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00, Fri and Sun
14:00-17:30; closed during Mass. A public WC is 30 yards straight ahead from the church
doors.
• Turn left out of the church and step over the ruins of a 15th-century church that once
stood on this spot (destroyed during the French Revolution). Leave the square and join
the busy pedestrian street, Rue du Gros Horloge—the town's main shopping street since
Romantimes. Ablock uponyourright (at#163)isRouen's mostfamouschocolate shop...
The chocolate-makers of Les Larmes de Jeanne d'Arc would love to tempt you with
their chocolate-covered almond “tears
(larmes)
of Joan of Arc.” Although you must resist
touching the chocolate fountain, you are welcome to taste a tear. The first one is free; a
small bag costs about €8 (Mon-Sat 9:00-19:00, closed Sun).
• Your route continues past a medieval McDonald's and across busy Rue Jeanne d'Arc to
the...
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Big Clock (Gros Horloge)
This impressive, circa-1528 Renaissance clock, le Gros Horloge (groh oar-lohzh), decor-
ates the former City Hall. Is something missing? Not really. In the 16th century, an hour
hand offered sufficient precision; minute hands became necessary only in a later, faster-
paced age. The lamb at the end of the hour hand is a reminder that wool rules—it was the
source of Rouen's wealth. The town medallion features a sacrificial lamb, which has both
religious and commercial significance (center, below the clock). The silver orb above the
clock makes one revolution in 29 days. The clock's artistic highlight fills the underside of
the arch (walk underneath and stretch your back), with the “Good Shepherd” and loads of
sheep.
