Abbatiale Saint-Ouen
Abbatiale Saint-Ouen
4.5
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A large 16th century church surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows.
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4.5
346 reviews
Excellent
169
Very good
132
Average
39
Poor
5
Terrible
1
Wiseolly
Llandudno, UK283 contributions
Apr 2022
It was 40 years ago when we last saw this magnificent historical building and it was so, so, very sad to see it neglected and damp and dark and friendless. Who let it get in this condition...sinful. The stained glass is areal treasure but it deserves better treatment.
Scaffolding up and work being done on carvings but it's going to be one long expensive restoration.
Asked the young lady, on the desk, on the computer, where was the collection box for donations from those visiting and she pointed to a tragic stand box with a hand written note on it...pathetic...hidden by the desk. It wasn't obvious and had no security. I explained that anywhere wishing to gain funds would have a glass box near the entrance and posters advertising ways to donate. The young lady said most people donate on the web. This is totally amateur and somebody should rethink as this stunning building is going to need professional promotion. Hard to accept.
Scaffolding up and work being done on carvings but it's going to be one long expensive restoration.
Asked the young lady, on the desk, on the computer, where was the collection box for donations from those visiting and she pointed to a tragic stand box with a hand written note on it...pathetic...hidden by the desk. It wasn't obvious and had no security. I explained that anywhere wishing to gain funds would have a glass box near the entrance and posters advertising ways to donate. The young lady said most people donate on the web. This is totally amateur and somebody should rethink as this stunning building is going to need professional promotion. Hard to accept.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tx32f
Haslet, TX306 contributions
Apr 2023
We had only a bit of time in Rouen, but during our sightseeing we stopped in at the Abbey. The stained glass was impressive, with a lot of reconstruction going on, including work that kept the organ covered. The interior is mostly empty and it appears this is no longer a religious building. Instead there was an exhibition of modern art. The Gothic outshone the modern.
Written 23 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wendy P
Ypsilanti, MI107 contributions
Mar 2020
I think this was my favorite of all the churches that we visited around Normandy. The stained glass is beautiful and the architecture is amazing. It looks a bit crumbly from the outside, but that adds to its charm. Avoid the area between the abbey and the Hotel d'Ville, it appears that numerous homeless have taken up residence, but the rest of the outside is fine and the indoors is well worth visiting.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher B
Manchester, UK44 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
The main reason for visiting this church was to see the pipe organ. The organ here is a very famous instrument, known throughout the world as one of the finest instruments ever built. Unfortunately for me the instrument was covered up along with other sections of the building inside and out. The church is built on a colossal scale, cathedral size in all but name. It really is an amazing building too wander round.
Written 26 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy V
42 contributions
Oct 2022
A beautiful old abbey that is slowly being restored. It's origins date from the 14th century. It is empty and isn't used for anything now but it's architecture and stain glass windows are very impressive. The organ has 3914 pipes. A beautiful example of craftmanship.
Written 9 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob S
San Francisco, California, United States62 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
One afternoon in May, my wife and I visited St Ouen's Abbey while we were in Rouen. My wife had read that the Abbey’s organ is one of the finest musical instruments in the world. It is a magnificent structure. I was surprised that there were so few visitors. While we were there we heard someone playing the organ. It was real, not a recoding piped in over the speakers. On display at the front of the church there was a stand with CDs trumpet and organ recording made in the church by organist Marie-Andrew Morisset-Balier and trumpeter Michel Morisset. We selected two CDs and went to pay the gentleman sitting nearby.
"Would you like to see the organ?", he asked. Next thing we knew he had picked up his trumpet and lead us up the narrow circular staircase into the organ loft. There he introduced us to his wife Marie-Andree Morisset-Balier and himself Michel Morisset. They launched into a movement from a symphony by Ernest Chausson that Mr Morisset had transcribed for trumpet and organ. It was a magical experience standing next to them as they played. We waved to a few visitors down below in the church. When it was over Mr Morisset led us down the staircase ( tThank God for the rope railing that we held on to. ) and hung around for a bit while Mrs Morisset-Balier continued to play the organ. Soon we saw Mr Morisset leading another small group up to the organ loft for their own private recital.
I am guessing the Mr & Mrs Morisset are on the abbey’s music staff. They like to play in this magnificent setting and supplement their income with sales of their CDS. If you visit the church in the afternoon, you just may get lucky as we did. Good luck!
"Would you like to see the organ?", he asked. Next thing we knew he had picked up his trumpet and lead us up the narrow circular staircase into the organ loft. There he introduced us to his wife Marie-Andree Morisset-Balier and himself Michel Morisset. They launched into a movement from a symphony by Ernest Chausson that Mr Morisset had transcribed for trumpet and organ. It was a magical experience standing next to them as they played. We waved to a few visitors down below in the church. When it was over Mr Morisset led us down the staircase ( tThank God for the rope railing that we held on to. ) and hung around for a bit while Mrs Morisset-Balier continued to play the organ. Soon we saw Mr Morisset leading another small group up to the organ loft for their own private recital.
I am guessing the Mr & Mrs Morisset are on the abbey’s music staff. They like to play in this magnificent setting and supplement their income with sales of their CDS. If you visit the church in the afternoon, you just may get lucky as we did. Good luck!
Written 1 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dickd1946
Charleston, SC1,220 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
In entering this most fantastic structure we were amazed to find that it is empty inside. It services concerts, light shows, art and other exhibits. On the flip side of this our eyes could consume the true beauty of what was around us with out distraction. It was bright, light, and airy. What a lovely experience. (Check hours before going)
Written 11 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nsojer
Barnet, UK430 contributions
Oct 2019
Dating back to the 14th century this is a glorious example of flamboyant Gothic architecture with two spire towers and a central 82 metre high spire called 'The Crown of Normandy'.
INside is impressive too with the soaring ceilings and slender columns held in place by the external flying buttresses. It is known for the great Cavaille-Coll organ which has been described as the Michaelangelo of organs and features on many classical albums.
If ever a church need a clean and an overhaul, this is it. The facade is almost black. The problems is that, like the cathedral, the exterior has suffered from exposure to the elements
INside is impressive too with the soaring ceilings and slender columns held in place by the external flying buttresses. It is known for the great Cavaille-Coll organ which has been described as the Michaelangelo of organs and features on many classical albums.
If ever a church need a clean and an overhaul, this is it. The facade is almost black. The problems is that, like the cathedral, the exterior has suffered from exposure to the elements
Written 6 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan R
San Francisco, CA106 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Soaring gothic ceiling, fine windows, handsome wrought iron, all in pristine condition. There were few visitors when we were there, so everyone tiptoed to maintain the quiet.
Written 23 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aegisthus
Birmingham, UK35 contributions
Sept 2017 • Solo
I went here as part of a northern-French 'organ crawl', and S. Ouen was indeed the highlight.
To an organ buff, the very words 'Saint-Ouen' send shivers down one's spine. An instrument that can fill that cavernous space has to be special, and to do with with a mere four manuals (three really, but that's a technicality) and 64 stops is miraculous. Brilliant upperwork and reeds, the builder's trade-mark 'Flûtes harmonique', topped of by the greatest 32' Contrabombarde on the planet leaves nothing to be desired.
In true continental style, the instrument is on a gallery over the west (main) door, so an about-turn is needed on entry to see the organ. The case, from the 17th century, contains Cavaillé-Coll's 1890 masterpiece. Tragically there has been neglect, and if one is allowed to venture up to the console, one can see terrible rain-damage to the keyboards; luckily there has been no sonic damage to the instrument.
Given the correct repertoire - the French/Belgian symphonic writers, the instrument is unsurpassed (including the C-C at S Sulpice just down the road in the capital.
Enough has been written about the building in other reviews here, but I just had to mention the jewel in the church's crown. An incredible instrument. Just look for recital times...
To an organ buff, the very words 'Saint-Ouen' send shivers down one's spine. An instrument that can fill that cavernous space has to be special, and to do with with a mere four manuals (three really, but that's a technicality) and 64 stops is miraculous. Brilliant upperwork and reeds, the builder's trade-mark 'Flûtes harmonique', topped of by the greatest 32' Contrabombarde on the planet leaves nothing to be desired.
In true continental style, the instrument is on a gallery over the west (main) door, so an about-turn is needed on entry to see the organ. The case, from the 17th century, contains Cavaillé-Coll's 1890 masterpiece. Tragically there has been neglect, and if one is allowed to venture up to the console, one can see terrible rain-damage to the keyboards; luckily there has been no sonic damage to the instrument.
Given the correct repertoire - the French/Belgian symphonic writers, the instrument is unsurpassed (including the C-C at S Sulpice just down the road in the capital.
Enough has been written about the building in other reviews here, but I just had to mention the jewel in the church's crown. An incredible instrument. Just look for recital times...
Written 20 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just to say that despite what you say, people travel from all over the globe, not to see the building so much as to hear the organ! Possibly the finest organ on the planet!!!
Written 20 May 2018
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