ROUEN, roo-86, France, chief town of the department of Seine-Inferieure, situated on the right bank of the Seine, 87 miles southwest of Paris, ranks next to Lyons as a manufacturing city, and is one of the most attractive provin cial towns of the republic. Rouen possesses much interest in its public buildings, many of which are almost perfect specimens of Gothic architecture. They include the venerable cathe dral of Notre Dame, the product of centuries of construction; begun in 1220 under Philippe Au guste, it has seen many vicissitudes, but its im posing facade surmounted by lofty towers, its richly decorated walls, its exquisite wood carv ings, fine sculpture and beautiful rose-windows render Notre Dame one of the most remarkable and artistic of Christian temples. Among others are the abbey and church of Saint Ouen, also in the Gothic style, whose aerial tower terminates in a crown of fleurs-de-lis; the church of Saint Maclou, a fine specimen of florid Gothic; the Tour de la Grosse-Horloge; the Palais de Justice, of the 15th century, re markable for the delicacy and boldness of its construction; the Hotel de Bourgtheroulde (15th century), with fine reliefs; the archiepis copal palace; the musee or picture gallery, con taining a fine collection of paintings by French masters, and the ancient Halles oc market build ings. There is a large library and several
museums of scientific collections. In the Place de la Pucelle Joan d'Arc was burnt. Rouen is the birthplace of Corneille, Fonternelle, Boiel dieu and Flaubert. It is the see of an arch bishop and scat of law courts, and possesses a chamber of commerce, an exchange, mint and schools of science, art and the higher profes sions. The staple manufacture is cottons, in every form, one class of which is so specialized as to be known as rouenneries. Besides woolen goods, machinery, chemicals, etc., there are nu merous industrial works for weaving, refining and smelting. The location of the city favors trade. The main articles are corn, flour, wool,' cotton, coal, petroleum, wine, brandy, colonial produce and manufactured goods. Rouen was built before the conquest of Gaul by the Ro mans. It was captured and pillaged by the Normans in the 9th century. Afterward it was long held by the English until 1449. Pop. 125,000.