There’s much to do in Rouen and we kept ourselves busy. After exploring the area around Saint Maclou and the Cathedral of Rouen, we ventured into another part of the city. Jeanne d’Arc is revered in this city, although there is nothing left of her. She really left her mark on Rouen as a French heroine despite the city being in English hands at the time. At the Place Jeanne d’Arc, the site where she was burned alive, stands today a very modern church. The English tried to make sure that she was not turned into a martyr and ordered her bones to be thrown into the Seine. As we know today they did not succeed. Unfortunately I do not have a picture of the church from the outside, but I do have one from the inside. It was peaceful and best of all, out of the sun.
inside Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc @Rouen
We passed the Palais de Justice, a beautiful building from the 16th century (at least it got started then), but it was unfortunately closed and can only be visited on Saturdays.
Palais de Justice @Rouen
Some of the holes on the facade, probably from WWII, have been covered with Lego. It’s fun ideo to bring some color into an otherwise very bland court building.
Lego fillers @Palais de Justice
I am quite happy to report that the Gros Horsloge on the other hand was open and ready for a visit. The audio tour took about an hour and the tower offered an excellent view on the city. The audio guide gave a lot of information on the mechanics of the clock, not that I cared so much about it.
the Gros Horloge and its tower @Rouen
But apparently in the beginning the mechanics were housed in the tower, while the clock was next door. Scientists still don’t know how that worked at the time. The big clock is one of the oldest in Europe from the 14th century and it shows not only the time, but the phase of the moon and the weekday as well. Very sophisticated for the 14th century.
view from the Gros Horloge on the old town @Rouen
the cathedral as seen from the tower @Gros Horloge
Since Rouen is the city of Jeanne d’Arc’s execution, we wanted to see the Donjon, the tower where Jeanne d’Arc was allegedly held and tortured. The Donjon is the only part left of a castle from the time of King Philippe August and can still be visited today. Unfortunately the visiting time was too late for us and we only saw it from the outside. Yours, Pollybert
the Donjon @Rouen
plaque to commemorate the death of Jeanne d’Arc @Rouen
