Thanks to its favourable location between Paris and the English Channel, the capital of Normandy has always lived from trade and industry, and its port is the fifth largest in France.
Places of interest
The heart of the old town belongs to pedestrians. In the centre, the Place de la Cathédrale is framed by magnificent half-timbered houses. The Cathédrale Notre-Dame itself is a precious example of late Gothic architecture. It was built between the 22nd and 16th centuries and carefully restored after suffering war damage. The rust-red cast-iron spire was added at the end of the 19th century to replace the one that had been struck by lightning. It was scaffolded at the time of our visit in August 2022.
The Palace of Justice is located in the Rue aux Juifs. In addition to Gothic style elements, the influence of the Rainessance can already be felt in the building.
On the Place du Vieux Marché, Joan of Arc - the French national heroine - was burned at the stake in 1431. The Église Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc, named after the "Maid of Orleans", has stained glass windows from 1345; they once decorated the Saint-Vincent church, which was destroyed in the war.
Pictures from a tour through the city centre
former plague cemetery
