Saint-André Tower

“So, friends, this is Rouen, the city of ancient streets and ancient towers, whispering tales of forgotten times. This is the city of a hundred chiming bell towers.” These were the words of Victor Hugo, or rather a translation of them, from his collection of poems “Les feuilles d’automne,” published in 1831. Before 1789, the capital of Normandy was indeed home to 104 bell towers, counting churches, convents and chapels. However, many of them were destroyed during the French Revolution and the Second World War. Today, only 38 remain. During this tour, we’ll take you to the “most important” ones, like the one right beside you. Proudly towering above the city’s skyline, the Saint-André Tower is in fact the very last remnant of a former parish church. It was known as the Church of Saint-André-de-la-Porte-aux-Fèvres, aka of Saint André of the Gate of the Blacksmiths, in reference to the blacksmiths who once inhabited the area. It was later renamed Church of Saint-André-de-la-Ville, that is, Church of Saint André of the City. It dates back to the 11th century and it was rebuilt in 1486. Its early years were dull and uneventful. But well, that didn’t last long. In 1562, the church of Saint-André-de-la-Ville was attacked by the Huguenots, Protestants from the kingdom of France and Navarre, during the Wars of Religion against the Catholics. 121 years later, its tower collapsed in a hurricane. And by 1791, it closed its doors and was later sold as national property. But the worst was yet to come. In 1867, the mayor of Rouen had the Impératrice Street (now Jeanne d’Arc Street) laid out right through here, with little regard for the church. And just like that, it was demolished. Only its 32-meter-high tower was saved thanks to the efforts of local historian and archaeologist Eustache de la Quérière. Restoration plans are underway for this historic landmark, listed as a historical monument since 1958. So there you have it!