Rouen, Prefecture city in Normandy, France
Rouen is a city in Normandy that stretches along both banks of the Seine, where medieval lanes meet broad boulevards and industrial zones. The old center gathers narrow streets lined with timber houses, while newer districts beyond the bridges hold mostly residential areas and shopping complexes.
The city flourished during the Middle Ages as capital of the Duchy of Normandy before falling under French rule in 1204. Heavy bombing during World War II destroyed much of the center, though many buildings were rebuilt or restored in the following decades.
Weekly markets spread across several squares in the center, where residents gather early to buy cheese, cider and produce from nearby farms. Cafés along the narrow streets fill during lunch hours, with people stopping for a quick meal before returning to work or wandering through the old quarters.
Most sights in the center lie close together and can be explored easily on foot, especially in the pedestrian zones around the cathedral. Public transport connects outer districts with the core and is useful if you stay outside the center or want to reach neighborhoods farther from the river.
Monet painted the cathedral facade more than 30 times at different hours, capturing how light and shadow shift across the stone throughout the day. This series later influenced the development of Impressionism and shows how the architecture here contributed to modern art history.
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