Rouen Cathedral
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Claude Monet painted the west front in a series in 1894. There is a famous lacework of stones on the facade - one of the most beautiful master works of French Gothic.
The cathedral goes back to William the Conqueror, just three years before his forces invaded England. There are traces of that in the lower stages of the St.Romain Tower, from the 12th century.
The Gothic arches of the west front are the most beautiful, in the flamboyant style. On the right of the facade is the TOUR DU BEURRE, 15th century, 75 m height (again flamboyant style). Popular belief had that it was paid for from taxes levied on people who ate butter and drank milk during Lent. Soon after construction, the tower started to lean, but the cracks were filled in and building was finished in1517. In the centre, there are three porches, again masterpieces of Gothic sculpture and merging into Renaissance style.
The St. Jean Portal and the St. Etienne Portal are from the 12th century.
The spire is 151 m high, the highest in France.
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