Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
with the help of an audioguide that suffers from a Goldilocks-and-the-Three-Bears narra-
tion. The big bells ring on the hour—a deafening experience if you're in the tower.
Cost and Hours:
€6, includes audioguide; April-Oct Tue-Sun 10:00-12:00 &
13:00-18:00; Nov-March Tue-Sun 14:00-18:00; closed Mon year-round.
• Walk under le Gros Horloge, then take a one-block detour left on Rue Thouret to see
the...
Years of cleaning have removed the grime that once covered this fabulously flamboyantly
Gothic building, the former home of Normandy's
parlement
and the largest civil Gothic
building in France. The result is striking; think of this as you visit Rouen's other Gothic
structures; some are awaiting baths of their own. Pockmarks on the side of the building
that faces Rue Jeanne d'Arc are leftovers from bombings during the Normandy invasion.
Look for the English-language plaques on the iron fence—they provide some history, and
describe the damage and tedious repair process.
• Double back and continue up Rue du Gros Horloge. In a block you'll see a stone plaque
dedicated to Cavelier de la Salle (high on the left), who explored the mouth of the Missis-
sippi River, claimed the state of Louisiana for France, and was assassinated in Texas in
1687. Soon you'll reach...
This cathedral is a landmark of art history. You're seeing essentially what Claude Monet
saw as he painted 30 different studies of this frilly Gothic facade at various times of the
day. Using the physical building only as a rack upon which to hang light, mist, dusk, and
shadows,Monetwascapturing “impressions.” Oneoftheresults isinRouen'sMuseumof
Fine Arts; four others are at the Orsay Museum in Paris. Find the plaque showing two of
thesepaintings(inthecornerofthesquare,about30pacestoyourrightifyouwereexiting
the TI).
