Whether you live in Rouen or not, there are bound to be unusual places where you have never been, or which you have only glimpsed. Today, we asked ourselves which were the coolest among the streets, monuments, fountains... To discover or rediscover our beautiful city.
The House of Ferdinand Marrou
A few steps from Rouen Station is one of the unusual places in Rouen, the former residence of Ferdinand Marrou. This self-taught man is one of the greatest metallurgists, known in particular for the pinnacles of Rouen Cathedral, the ears of corn on the roof of the Gros-Horloge and the tower of Joan of Arc. His house is not as well known as his workshop located on rue Saint-Romain which is today a tea room. It is made of wood carvings and exquisite metalwork and takes us back to the 19th century when it was created. Ferdinand Marrou's house currently houses the regional architectural and heritage documentation center, ideal for your stay in Rouen.
The Pont-Gustave Flaubert
The Rouen Metropolis is divided in two by the Seine, so far nothing extraordinary. What is a little more interesting is its multitude of bridges which straddle the river. The latest is the highest lift bridge in Europe. Located at the foot of the Docks 76 shopping center on the right bank, the Gustave Flaubert bridge in the future Flaubert ecological zone on the left bank has become one of the unusual places in Rouen. Since its commissioning in September 2008, it has brought life to the west of Rouen with its modern architectural style. Its deck can reach 55 meters high, allowing the largest sailboat in the world to enter the waters of the Rouen River, notably during the Armada. You can observe this behemoth in action from the Seine jetty during the hoisting of a deck of this 1300-ton bridge: an impressive spectacle for all ages.
The Saint Nicaise Church
The capital of Normandy is nicknamed “the city of a hundred bell towers”, and one of the unusual places in Rouen is one of these bell towers. Finally, more precisely the Saint-Nicaise church. The Saint-Nicaise church is located to the east of the city, and its architecture combines medieval foundations and modern architecture. Most of it was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1935 to give it a distinct appearance from the other buildings around it. It is not open to the public but its exterior walls and modern stained glass windows are still worth a visit.
The pyre of Joan of Arc
Located in the historic center of Rouen, the pyre of Joan of Arc is one of the unusual places in Rouen. If you want to recreate the last moments of a heroine's life, you can find the statue of the Maid of Orléans, which is located just a few meters from the Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc church. The actions of Joan of Arc have been immortalized several times in several films and constitute one of the milestones in French history. Today, it is symbolized by a large cross, and its place of execution is decorated with a statue of the Saint.
The Jewish Monument
You have probably missed this unusual place in Rouen without knowing it. The Jewish Monument is hidden beneath the Parliament of Normandy (today the courthouse), also known as the Maison Sublime, and is the oldest Jewish monument in Europe. Accessible thanks to a guided tour provided by the tourist office, the Jewish monument is a mystery which still intrigues historians, particularly in terms of the function of the building.
