«Flamboyant» is an architectural style that impresses everyone. If you admire the work of the Medieval architects who created masterpieces of stone monuments as if decorated with openwork ornaments, and the solemn high sky-piercing spires, you should definitely visit Rouen – the capital of the Normandy region, where this architectural style can be found almost everywhere. Together with Saint-Ouen Abbey, the Parlament of Normandie (Palais de Justice), and the Church of Saint-Maclou, Rouen Cathedral became one of the most famous Gothic buildings in the city and Normandy itself. This architectural masterpiece was created over many centuries, and you can't fully understand the country's history and culture without visiting it.

The bishopric of Rouen was first mentioned in the annals in 314: a modest basilica was built in the place of the current cathedral. In 841, after the Norman attack on the city, it was burned, but the Vikings were also responsible for the Cathedral's revival. To bring the regular devastating raids to an end, King Charles the Simple offered to one of the Viking leaders, Rollo, to marry the King’s daughter on condition of his conversion to Christianity. The offer was accepted, and the basilica was restored. So Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy and the father of the famous William the Conqueror. By the way, both of them, just like their successor Richard the Lionheart, are buried in Rouen Cathedral. The cathedral was built over the centuries thanks to donations from parishioners, and each new architect made his own architectural changes and additions. It was originally built in the Romanesque style. But two centuries later, it was changed to the Gothic style, which became really popular. That explains the stylistic heterogeneity of different parts of the temple. The central tower of Rouen Cathedral was built in 1514. In 1557, they added a wooden spire covered with tin, which burned down after a lightning strike three centuries later. Then it was decided to build a new one according to the canons of the 12th century so that it would meet the original style. In 1876, a huge spire weighing more than 1,200 tons was built was ready.  The height of the cathedral together with it became 151 m. As a result, Rouen Cathedral became the tallest building in the world. It remained in this status for 4 years until it was surpassed by Cologne Cathedral.