Rouen

Rouen is a city in the Normandy region of northern France, prefecture of the Seine-Maritime department, situated on the Seine River about 135 kilometers west of Paris. The city proper has roughly 110,000 residents; the metropolitan area comprises several hundred thousand. It is the historical capital of the Duchy of Normandy.

Rouen's history spans from Roman times to a major medieval center. It was the seat of the Counts and later Dukes of Normandy and played a key role in the medieval English-Norman empire. In 1431, the English-influenced trial and execution of Joan of Arc took place at the Vieux-Marché, a site now marked by a monument. The historic core is known for its half-timbered houses, narrow streets, and the timber-framed medieval quarter.

Landmarks include the Rouen Cathedral (Notre-Dame de Rouen), a masterpiece of Gothic architecture famed for its façade and the subject of Monet's painting series; the Great Clock (Gros-Horloge) spanning the rue du Gros-Horloge; and the Place du Vieux-Marché. Other notable sites include Saint-Maclou and Saint-Ouen churches. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen houses works by Monet, Caravaggio, Poussin, and Velázquez.

In the modern era Rouen is an educational and administrative hub, home to the Université de Rouen Normandie. The city serves as a regional port on the Seine for commerce and industry and is connected to Paris and other major cities by rail and road. Cultural life includes festivals, markets, and a preserved historic center that attracts visitors.