Rouen

roo-ON', a city of France. It was formerly the capital of Normandy. It is situated on the Seine about two-thirds of the way from Paris to Havre. It is now an important cotton-manufacturing center, termed sometimes the "Manchester of France." It also carries on an extensive trade in Bordeaux wines. The venerable cathedral of Notre Dame, built in 1207-80, is noted for an imposing front surmounted by lofty towers. There are exquisite wood carvings, fine sculpture, and beautiful rose windows. The porch of the church of Saint Maclou is one of the most beautiful bits of architecture in France. The openings in the stone work are shaped like tongues of flame. The church of St. Ouen, dating from 1318, surpasses even the cathedral in size and beauty of style. The front, or facade as it is called in architecture, contains three great portals adorned with numerous statues and reliefs. A rose window above the central portal is one of the finest specimens of stained glass known. The walls contain an unusually large number of windows, 135 in all. The stained glass of which they are constructed is celebrated for beauty and quality. Other buildings of importance are the city hall and the palace of justice. The city belfry, or the tower of the great bell, was erected in 1389. The city possesses a large library, a museum of paintings, and several important collections of antiquities. The city derives no little interest from its connection with the life of Joan of Arc. A relic of the citadel in which she was tried for witchcraft still stands. An insignificant fountain occupies the spot in the square where she was burned at the stake in 1431. Population, 120,000.

See Joan Of Arc