Rouen, France
Rouen is a city in northern France, centre of the Haute-Normandie region. The city is perched on the River Seine. Rouen was a city of great importance in the Middle Ages and was one of the largest cities in Western Europe. The city was annexed to France in 1204.
Rouen has been a muse for many great writers and artists. The main reason for this is that it has preserved unchanged its historic quarters with medieval streets with old picturesque houses. The entire city centre consists of medieval streets and houses. Many connoisseurs of authentic old architecture like Rouen for its lack of glaring contrast between the modern and the old. The Palais de Justice is France's most beautiful Gothic palace. Close to the Palais de Justice in Rouen is Notre Dame Cathedral, where the grave of the Viking leader Rolon is located. Because of the many spires that pierce the landscape above the city, Victor Hugo called Rouen the city of a hundred spires, and Impressionist Claude Monet recreated Rouen's Notre Dame Cathedral in 36 paintings. Saint Ouen Cathedral has many beautiful stained glass windows and exquisite carvings from the 14th and 16th centuries. The city gained notoriety from the trial of Joan of Arc, who was burned at the stake by the English during the Hundred Years' War on 30 May 1431. Today, a cathedral dedicated to Joan of Arc has been erected on Place Ville Marche, the spot where the flames of the fire once rose.
Rouen is a city that owes part of its fame to its museums of fine art, ceramics, wrought iron, etc.