NOTREDAME CATHEDRAL, Rouen

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In the Lady Chapel are fine stained glass windows and two elaborate tombs. On the right wall is that of the Cardinals of Amboise (both first names Georges) , both are kneeling. The one on the right is the nephew of the other.They were carved between 1515-25. The Cardinal Virtues are there with them as well as Theological ones. and more symbols in the background. On the opposite wall is the tomb of Louis de Breze, husband of Diane de Poitiers who is seen weeping at his head (the Virgin is at his feet). His effigy on horseback looks a bit shrunken in size. The lower part is said to have been by Jean Goujon who was too fine a sculptor to have done the top. At the Altar is an Adoration by Philippe de Champaigne. In the ambulatory are 13C effigies (gisants) of William Longsword, Richard I (Lionheart), among others.

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Not to be missed are the transepts especially the North one. Here we find a Rose window with 14C glass (restored)., also there is a charming Renaissance door with a fancy gable and two flights of stairs. This is the Booksellers’ Stairway , the work of Guillame Pontis.

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The chancel is spacious and light. It is three levelled unlike the nave but is of 13C Rayonnant style. There is an ambulatory separated by graceful columns which have circular capitals with plant-like structures and some heads at their tops. The arches are very high and pointed. The high altar is a marble slab backed by a crucifix in gilded lead with a tormented Christ upon it(Clodion 18C). There is an ambulatory and beyond it a Lady Chapel and two others. There are transept chapels as well (one to Ste. Jeanne d’Arc). There are tombs in the ambulatory and in the Lady Chapel (a separate Tip).

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The nave is tall as are its arcades. In addition it is 4-levelled with tribune, triforium and traceried tall clerestory windows. This leads to very tall aisles.The transept crossing is topped by a very tall lanterned tower (167 feet to its keystone) which bears a tall cast-iron spire above that. The tower is supported by massive piers.

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Along the North and South sides of the church are other famous doorways. On the North is the Booksellers’ Door from 1300 and on the South the La Calende Door near where the greatest of the WWII damage occurred. to the nave.(some damage was not repaired in 1988). There is a tall cast-iron spire on the lantern tower at the central crossing that can be seen from afar, It replaced a wooden one in 1822 when it was struck by lightning.

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Although begun in 1201, the west facade is Flamboyant Gothic. It was not finished until 1514 with two dissimilar towers and a richly decorated main doorway. The left (N) tower is Romanesque 12C, from the previous cathedral which burned down at that time. Work on the right tower stopped in 1514 without a spire.(called the Butter Tower). There were two levels of statues of Apostles and Prophets around the gabled central door but almost all were destroyed during the Revolution. However the Tympanum of the Tree of Jesse and the celestial archivolts were out of reach and survive.

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Inside the cathedrale notre-Dame de Rouen, a series of old graves shows the history of Normandy. Normandy was actually a colony of the Vikings (Normans), that usually only "visited" foreign towns (these visits excisted out of plundering, raping and burning down everything). It was Rollo that became the first king of Normandy and he turned to Christianity in the 10th century. His grave can be found in the cathedral, as well as the grave of his son. Furthermore, almost all bishops and cardinals of Rouen (also an important district capitol in religious sense) are buried in Notre-Dame de Rouen. Even a few saints can be found here. The oldest gravemarkers are dating back from the 3th century! The last is from 2004. A true journey through history.

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In the former Tip I showed the outside, but the inside of this catehdral is a true domain of God. When you stand in the middle of the ship, the space around you is overwhelming. The height of the roof makes your head spin and the lights fall in beautifully from all the windows around you. Some of them are stained windows that are extremely colourful and representing parts of the bible, as well as historical events of Normandy. Many statues, paintings and other decorations make you want to walk around several hours in the Notre-Dame de Rouen. The church holds a treasury and a small museum, but in my next Tip I will especially emphasis the old graves in the church.