Rouen - St Ouen

In Rouen, the church of St-Ouen is an outstanding example of Late Gothic architecture. The main structure was built between 1318 and 1339; the west doorway and the two towers date from 1846-1851. Over the crossing is a magnificent tower, the pinnacled topmost section of which (1490-1515) is known as the "Crown of Normandy". In the south transept can be seen the Portail des Marmouses, with representations of the Death and Assumption of the Virgin.

In the harmoniously proportioned interior (134 m/440ft long, 26 m/85ft wide - 42 m/138ft wide in the transept - and 32.5 m/107ft high) are 135 windows, some with 15th and 16th C. stained glass, a beautiful choir screen (1738- 1747) and a famous organ in an organ-loft of 1630.

On the Place du Général du Gaulle, with an equestrian statue of Napoleon I (1865) stands the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), and behind it are the old abbey gardens, now a municipal park.