Rouen - Cathedral

A church was present here since the late 4th century, later even a Carolingian cathedral existed , but all buildings burnt down during a Viking raid in the 9th century.

Rollo, last of the raiders and (after a treaty with Charles III ("Charles the Simple") founder of what became the Normandy, was baptized here in 915 - and changed his name to Robert.

The erection of the "St. Romain Tower" (left) began in the 1140, after the bishop had visited his friend Suger in Saint Denis, where the choir of the new cathedral got consecrated.

The construction of the "Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen" began around 1180, the western facade, seen here partial, was created between 1370 and 1450. The "Buttertower" ("Tour de Beurre") was added around 1480. Soon after the first construction defects became obvious and the facade had to be reconstructed.

Cathedrals need morr than just some TLC, so for the next years great parts of the facade will be hidden under scaffolding,