The Saint-Ouen abbey of Rouen was founded in the 6th century. Destroyed during the Norman invasions, dedicated to Saint Ouen, bishop of Rouen, who was buried there in 1680, it was rebuilt in a Romanesque style but destroyed this time by fire.
The reconstruction of the church and the conventual buildings housing Benedictine monks began in the 14th century, the work not being completed until more than a century later due to the Hundred Years War. As for the facade, its last decorations were made in the 19th century.
Gothic and Flamboyant Gothic, the abbey church has exceptional proportions (137 m long and 33 m high under vaults). We note in particular the 11 chapels which mark out the path at the level of the chevet and the central tower with typical Flamboyant Gothic decorations.
The portal known as the Marmousets, adorned with a statue of Saint-Ouen, is located on the side. The nave, which is surprisingly vertical, is lit by immense glass roofs, which date from the 14th century and prove to be a real museum in itself (there are some 80 stained glass windows). Note also the Cavaillé-Coll organ which was installed in 1890, becoming one of the most important in France.
The abbey church is next to the former monks' dormitory which has been remodeled to become the town hall. A garden connects the two buildings. The whole has been protected as historical monuments since 1840 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Note that an ambitious restoration project has been initiated.
Open every day except Monday and Friday, January 1 and December 25. Free entry. Guided tours possible. Information on +33 2 32 08 32 40.
