Rouen, 125km northwest of Paris, the former capital of Normandy and today of the Département Seine-Maritime, is the seat of an archbishop, the most important river harbor of France, and next to Marseille and Le Havre the most important sea harbor. Inspite of the heavy destruction during WWII (reconstruction complete), Rouen is still a most favorite tourist destination because of its magnificient gothic churches, museums and rich cultural and historical heritage.
During Roman times (after Augustus) it was known as Rotomagus, capital of Veliocassen.. In 260 it became the seat of a bishop. In the 9th century Danish Vikings destroyed it several times. Their leader Rollo (Robert I) became the first duke of Normandy in 911. Under William the Conqueror, and after the Battle of Hastings (1066), Rouen belonged to the English crown until 1204. During the 100 year war it again fell under the English crown (1419-1449) after a 6 months siege by Henry V. May 30, 1431, Jeanne d'Arc, was burnt here at the stake. After the Edict of Nantes in 1685 over half of the population left Rouen, which did not regain prosperity till the renaissance of the textile industry in the 18th century. Rouen is also the birthplace of the poets Pierre Corneille (1606-84) and Gustave Flaubert (1821-80)
The Great Clock (Gros-Horloge) is probably Rouen's most popular monument. The clock was originally on the belfry but the people of Rouen wanted to make it more conspicuous and so in 1525 built the arch to incorporate it. The hour signs marked by the single hand are complemented by signs of the weeks on the lower half of the face. The upper bull's eye shows the the phases of the moon.