Apart from its well-known past, this place is not really “spooky” per se.
Built in the 12th century, after numerous alterations, it was finally completed in the 16th century.
The current cathedral is built on the site of an ancient basilica dating back to the 4th century and a Roman structure, of which only the crypt can still be visited today.
The secrets of the ancient crypt
The crypt is accessible via the Joan of Arc Chapel, down a staircase leading to the basement, which dates back to the Middle Ages.
Down the staircase is a small corridor leading to a room where a lead coffin containing the body of a monk is located at the far end.
A caged box lies within the wall, and depending on who shows you around, you will hear different stories about the origin of the heart encased in it. While Richard the Lionheart‘s heart is the most famous resident, some say this specific spot is linked to Charles V (who died in 1380).
If the Latin inscription on the wall is to be believed, the mystery only deepens !
Vikings and legends : from Rollo to Saint Olav
For fans of the Vikings tv show, this name will sound familiar.
In the ambulatory of the cathedral lies the recumbent statue of Rollo, Duke of Normandy in 911.
While the series got his story wrong by about a century, his presence is still here.
Sadly, his body was moved to Falaise (Normandy), but Rollo‘s now empty tomb can still be seen in Rouen.
It also houses a reliquary of St. Olav (who died in 1030).
Baptized in the cathedral when he was just a child, he went on to “preach” the christian way of life in Norway, christianizing the pagan population, willingly or by force.
This reliquary is on display with a model of a viking longship in St. Sever‘s Chapel.
Dragons and ghostly reflections
A little bonus if you visit with children : the stained glass windows near the Joan of Arc Chapel depict the story of Saint Romain and his battle with the dragon on the left bank of the Seine.
It’s always fun to see what is nowadays considered mythology in a church.
On a personal note : a few years back, I took some shots of the lead coffin in the crypt.
I don’t know whether it is due to the reflection of a spotlight on my camera lens or whatever else, but it looks like a fire is starting within the crypt.
It only showed on camera. There was absolutely no fire anywhere.
I don’t really count it as a « fun ghost story » but the memory remains a very weird one.
So ghost hunters, assemble I guess ?
