- FRANCE - PART ONE -

Rouen 2

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NOTRE DAME of Rouen; this is the third cathedral to stand on this site. The first was built by the saint Bishop Mellon, first bishop of Rouen, in the third century, the second by Victrice, the eighth bishop of Rouen.

The present Romanesque cathedral was started around 1000 by Archbishop Robert, the son of Duke Richard I of Normandie. The cathedral was completed in 1063 and consecrated by the Archbishop Maurille. The oldest part of the Cathedral to have surved to the present day is the belfry of St. Romanus's tower dating from about 1160.

The construction of the present nave began about 1200; the Portail des Calendes and the Portail des Libraires, famous for their rich ornamentation, were completed in the first quarter of the fourteenth century. The ninety-six choir stalls were carved in the fifteenth century under the direction of Philippot Viart.

The 'Portail des Libraires' (right)
See also the pictures below.

The Tour St-Romain (on the left) dates from the 12th century. On the right the 15th century Tour du Beurre (completed in the 17th century) is seventy five metres high and built in flamboyant gothic style. It was so named after a group of wealthy citizens donated large sums of money to the cathedral for the privilege of continuing to be able to eat butter during Lent.

The 13th century choir has fourteen soaring pillars and pointed arcades (right and below).
Other interior highlights include vibrant stained glass depicting the crucified Christ (restored after substantial damage during World War II) and massive stone columns topped by some intriguing carved faces.

The famous 'Escalier de la Librairie' (Booksellers' Stairway) attributed to Guillaume Pontifs (left).

The stone 'Portail des Libraires' is the entrance to the north transept of the cathedral from La Cour des Libraires, a square once filled with booksellers' stalls (right and below).