Rouen Cathedral : Cathédrale de Notre-Dame
Did you know that Monet captured the Rouen Cathedral on canvas in a series of 28 paintings! Each painting shows the facade at a different time of day and although the paintings are scattered all over the world, you can see them online at the Rouen Parish website. The Cathedrale de Notre Dame is the tallest cathedral in France and has not 1, not 2, but three towers!
Lantern Tower of Rouen Cathedral
On first sight, the Rouen Cathedral of Our Lady impressed us with its three magnificent towers. Fire destroyed the central tower, which is now call the Lantern Tower, in 1541. A taller wooden tower of 132 meters replaced the destroyed tower. This tower also burned in 1822 and the new tower we see today is a majestic 151 meters tall (495 feet). Its characteristic Norman windows bring large quantities of light to the interior of the Cathedral. This tower, built of iron and bronze, is the highest tower in France at the time of its completion.
Rouen Cathedral Spires
The above view of the Cathedral is from the Gros-Horlage which spans the street that is perpendicular to the Cathedral. From this angle the Lantern Tower appears to be at the front of the church. However, the tower is actually toward the rear where the nave and the transept intersect as can be seen in the floor plan from the Cathedral guidebook.
Rouen Cathedral Floor-plan
Saint-Romain Tower of Rouen Cathedral
There are two towers at the front of the Rouen Cathedral: the Saint-Romain tower (to the left) and the Butter Tower (Tour de Beurre, to the right). The St-Romain tower was the first to be erected on the romanesque cathedral’s west facade in the mid 12th century. It predates the Butter Tower by 400 years.
Having trouble remembering which tower is which? You can identify the St-Romain tower by the golden suns on the roof.
St-Romain Tower
Butter Tower of Rouen Cathedral
The Butter Tower is speculated to have gotten its name from the yellow stone of St-Leu d’Essement quarry which was used for the uppermost part of the tower. The difference in stone colors from the two quarries shows the contrast between the upper and lower portions of the tower. I love the way the square tower evolves into a round crown-like top. The top is actually octagonal and the lovely open stonework gives it that crown appearance to me.
The crown of the Butter Tower.
However, in 1479 the church petitioned Pope Innocent VIII for the consumption of butter during Lent, previously a banned food. The request stipulated that each person make a monetary donation to the construction of the tower in return. Thus, it is more likely that the origin of the name is due to this concession of eating butter during Lent in exchange for donations.
In 1914 the Butter Tower housed a 29 bell carillon. It was enlarged in 1954 to 50 bells and then 56 in 1959. After 15 years of silence, during 2015-2016 the bells were once again restored and the carillon enlarged. The Butter Tower now houses a 64 bell carillon by the Paccard Foundery in Annecy. Having had the privilege of hearing the carillons in Delft and Bruges, I look forward to returning to Rouen to hear this carillon!
The new carillon debuted in September of 2016. Although the video is in French, I think you will still enjoy this inside views of the carillon and its lovely music.
Inside the Rouen Cathedral
The Cathedral of our Lady of Rouen (Cathédrale de Notre Dame de Rouen) is an architectural masterpiece. Built on a 4th century basilica, it has romanesque features from the 11th century in its Saint-Romain tower. The left portal at the front and the nave survives from the 12th century Gothic . Finally, the stained glass which dates from the 13th century spans from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance.
Rouen Cathedral facade statuary
In the south ambulatory of Rouen Cathedral stands a wall of statuary. During restoration of these original statues, the facade displays duplicates.
L’Escaliere de Librairie
Once upon a time, L’Escaliere de Librairie (The Booksellers Staircase, 15th century) lead to the Cathedral library via the Gothic arched doorway seen at the top.
Light & Incense after Mass (print available for purchase)
Of all the pictures I took of the Cathedral, this one that I took after mass is my favorite. The light reflecting off the remaining incense smoke is ethereal.
Rouen Cathedral
Nave Windows
Rouen Cathedral
Loud and powerful, the Rouen Cathedral organ is magnificent just like the rest of the Cathedral.
The carillon was not in the Lantern Tower but in the Butter Tower. But, since last year, the new carillon of 64 Paccard bells is in the Saint Romain Tower. It is France’s second largest carillon.
Thanks for pointing out the error! I have now updated the post to reflect the new carillon.
France Travel Info — nice pics of and info re Rouen Cathedral, but nothing about times and dates?
Thanks, Tony. We really enjoyed this cathedral. In general I don’t post times and dates because they are wont to change. Even the AAA guide has mislead me with times and dates before when traveling so I always refer to the monument’s own website. Googling « Rouen cathedral hours » for the most up to date info.