5 Old Ruins to Explore in Normandy

Jumièges is one of the most famous abbeys in Normandy which was founded Founded in the 7th century by Saint Philibert. It was transformed into a stone quarry after the French Revolution, the remains are magisterial and offer an unforgettable vision. Jumièges Abbey was called “the most beautiful ruin in France”, and benefited from the image of an outdoor site impregnated with Romanticism.

Château Gaillard is a 12th-century castle built by Richard the Lion-Heart on the Andelys cliff overlooking the Seine River in France. The castle was long plundered for its stones as building materials so that by 1573 it had already dissolved into an uninhabited ruin. In 1862, Château Gaillard was designated a Monument Historique. It was also one of the earliest European castles to use machicolations.

Le Gros-Horloge is a beautifully decorated astronomical clock that was made in the year of 1389. It is one of the oldest working clocks in Europe. This popular tourist landmark in the old town of Rouen is flanked by a Gothic belfry from the 14th century. It was heavily damaged during the second world war. Above the clock face, a globe shows the phases of the moon. Many depictions of sheep show the importance of the wool trade. it was one of the prime attractions in this area.

It is a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, France. An important medieval pilgrimage destination, Mont Saint-Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both the 11th- to 13th-century Abbey of Saint-Michel and the Bay of Saint-Michel are protected under this designation. The island has had strategic fortifications since ancient times. It is 247 acres in size and it has a population of 44. People that live there are called the Montois.

Rouen, situated on the banks of the River Seine, is Normandy’s vibrant, historic and cultural capital. Wandering around the old town of Rouen, visitors will enjoy the historical ambience found in the winding cobblestone lanes, which are lined with maisons à colombages. Today, it deserves a visit for its monuments, Gothic art being particularly well represented, but also for the charm of its alleyways and the many half-timbered houses there are.