Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen

Gothic cathedral immortalised by Claude Monet, the tallest in France. The primatial church of Normandy, Rouen Cathedral has the rare distinction in France of having kept its archbishop’s palace and annexe buildings from the same period. Its cast-iron spire, built from 1825 to 1876, rises to 151 metres.

Its west front, 61.60 metres wide, is the widest in France; its lack of symmetry earned it the name “the most human of cathedrals”. Claude Monet made it the subject of a series of some thirty paintings, the Rouen Cathedral series. Like other great Norman Gothic buildings, it has a lantern tower over the transept crossing.

For groups : The cathedral is open to visitors without booking, but visits may be limited during services. Groups of up to 18 people can book a guided tour with the cathedral administration, which opens areas closed to the public: the crypt, the baptistery and the Lady Chapel.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen – Place de la Cathédrale, 76000 Rouen

Free access – guided tours on request