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Rouen is the capital of Normandy. Joan of Arc was burnt there because
Normandy belonged to the King of England. On th spot where she died stands
a modern church, reflectig the fact that she was not canonised until the
20th century. The Cathedral, with its lantern tower, is the greatest glory
of the Norman gothic. Another glory is the church of Saint-Ouen, nearly as
big and with a famous organ. Some of the old streets are well known; but
many are hardly ever visited. The authorities have been restoring Rouen’s
mediaeval houses, and the last time I heard they had done four hundred.
Rouen’s prosperity was always due to its bridge, the nearest to the sea on
the river Seine. In recent years, however, three new bridges have been
built. The Pont de Normandie at Le Havre is the latest, one of the world’s
longest cable-stay bridges, just as the Pont de Tancarville was in its day
one of the longest suspension bridges. My favourite is the high, elegant
Pont de Brotonne, |
