On the right bank of the Seine, fifty kilometres from where it flows into the English Channel, lies the ancient city of Rouen. The centuries that have passed have left an indelible mark on its appearance. Rouen is a small yet very cosy city. The capital of Normandy has attractions connected with the Norman conquest, the name of Joan of Arc, the Renaissance and the religious wars.
» READ MORE – 10 Incredible things to do in Normandy
Along with Rouen, we highly recommend visiting the extraordinary Mont Saint-Michel, which will leave no one indifferent and make you fall in love with it at first sight. It is easy to explore this city on your own by ordering an audio guide or an independent tour of the abbey. For more details, see this link.
How to get to Rouen?
The 135 km distance between Paris and Rouen can be covered by train or car.
From Paris’ Saint Lazare station, you can reach Rouen in 80 minutes by comfortable train.
Book your train tickets in advanceThe journey by car on the A13 motorway takes about 2 hours. Renting a car is simple and convenient!
Car rentalYou can also book a day trip from Paris to explore the city and visit neighbouring Honfleur at the same time. For more information, click here.
The best time to visit Rouen is in summer and early autumn. The average air temperature during these months ranges from 16 to 22 degrees, with little rainfall and plenty of sunshine. In summer, you can attend the Armada sailing festival, and in autumn, visit the local gastronomic festival and the Saint Roman fair.
Choose a hotel
If you are coming for the holidays or just planning to stay longer, you will need a place to stay. The city is divided into two parts by the river: the southern (more modern) part and the northern part, where the historic centre of Rouen is located. It is more convenient for tourists to stay in the northern part of the city, as most of Rouen’s attractions (and excursions), shops and restaurants are located there.
Rouen: choose a hotel- One of Rouen’s most luxurious hotels, the 5* SPA-Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, is located in the historic centre at 15 Place De La Pucelle
- Near Notre-Dame Cathedral, at 7 rue Croix de Fer, you will find the 3* Mercure Rouen Center Cathédrale hotel, which offers the best value for money in terms of comfort and room price
- Tourists on a limited budget can stay at the Bonaparte 2* hotel at 3 Rue Jean Lecanuet
Public transport in Rouen
The best way to get around the historic centre of Rouen is on foot, enjoying the architecture of the city’s buildings. For longer trips, you can use public transport or rent a bicycle or scooter.
The city metro has two lines, M and N, connecting the centre with the outskirts of Rouen.
It opens at 5:00 a.m. (6:00 a.m. on Sundays) and runs until 11:30 p.m.
The city has three TEOR express bus routes and 28 regular bus routes operated by TCAR. Most of them run until 11:30 p.m. Night travellers can use a special type of night bus called the noctam’bus.
Tickets can be purchased at TCAR offices, kiosks, special vending machines near bus stops, or directly from conductors.
Events to attend
Rouen is rightly considered one of the most beautiful cities in France. People come here to experience the charm of the French countryside, attend local festivals and go on excursions.
Not far from Rouen is the Bocasse amusement park. It has about 40 attractions for children of all ages: roller coasters, water rides, carousels and a small toy farm. The park has cafés and souvenir shops.
A walk in the Botanical Garden will also be an exciting activity for children. Here you can see rare plant species, play on the playground and have a picnic in a specially equipped area.
» READ MORE – Major events in Paris and France
Sights of Rouen
The sights of Rouen are just a small part of what this city has to offer travellers. But even seeing them all will take you almost a whole day. To fully understand the sights and history of the city, you can hire a local guide.
Walking tour with a local residentRouen Cathedral
This ancient religious building is the architectural dominant feature and main attraction of Rouen. Its spire rises to a height of 154 metres. Until 1876, there was no taller building in the world.
Its foundation dates back to the 12th century, when construction of the Romanesque-style church began. Only the crypt and the Saint-Romain tower remain from that period. The cathedral was built and rebuilt over seven centuries. An archbishop’s palace was even added to it. Today, it is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France. It is decorated with stone carvings, and its interior is as impressive as its exterior.
Inside, there is a sarcophagus where the heart of King Richard I the Lionheart is buried. The cathedral’s stained glass windows are among the most beautiful in Europe, some of them even survived the bombings of 1944 and are more than eight hundred years old.
It is open from 9:00 to 19:00 (Tuesday-Saturday), on Sundays it opens an hour earlier, and on Mondays from 14:00.
Entrance to the cathedral is free, but you can also take a guided tour, which is much more interesting than just walking around on your own!
Old Market Square
The Old Market Square (Place du Vieux Marché) is where Joan of Arc was executed at the end of May 1431. The exact spot where the execution took place is marked by five stone slabs in the shape of a cross. There is a modern church dedicated to France’s national heroine and a museum on this square.
- In the Museum of the Maid of Orleans, you can see reconstructions of medieval armour, engravings, wax figures – everything connected to the name of Joan. The museum is open daily, except on December 25 and January 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- The church was built quite recently and is a striking example of modern architecture. From the outside, the church resembles a dragon’s tail. According to the architect’s design, the spire of the church does not reach for the sky but rests on the ground. The interior is equally fascinating and resembles a theatre rather than a traditional religious institution
- Next to the church and inside it, there are monuments to Joan of Arc, who is not only a national hero but also a saint
Joan of Arc Tower
Another site connected to the Maid of Orleans. It is the only one of the eight towers of the Rouen fortress that has survived to this day. It was here that Joan of Arc was interrogated and sentenced to death. The entire tower can be explored from the base to the roof, and tours are held in its two halls.
Audio guide: How did Joan of Arc know Rouen?
Palace of Justice
This civil administrative building (Palais de Justice) formerly housed the Parliament of Normandy and now serves as a courthouse. It is a remarkable example of the flamboyant Gothic style. The palace’s façade is adorned with countless bas-reliefs, statues and images of mythical creatures such as gargoyles and chimeras, making it one of the most beautiful palaces in France.
Interestingly, the Palais de Justice in Rouen was bombed during the Second World War. The city’s residents decided to restore only the façade of the palace, leaving the other side of the building pockmarked with shell holes as a reminder of the horrors of war.
The Palace of Justice is still used for its original purpose, but it is open to visitors on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 to 19:00.
Museum of Fine Arts
One of the first public museums in France, established in 1801, is located on Esplanade Marcel Duchamp Street. Its collection includes paintings, graphics and sculptures by medieval masters and contemporary artists. It rivals the Louvre in terms of the richness of its exhibits.
The streets that inspired the Impressionist mastersBut the most popular section of the museum, and the reason why many tourists come here, is the Impressionist galleries. Many artists of this movement were born or lived and worked in Normandy, which is a great source of pride for the region. The museum has several rooms with works by Monet, Sisley and other representatives of Impressionism. Most of the paintings depict scenes of Normandy.
The museum is open every day except Tuesday, from 10:00 to 18:00.
The best restaurants in town
A visit to Rouen is not complete without trying the local cuisine.
Gastronomic tour in Rouen- Gourmets who enjoy haute French cuisine will appreciate the famous Gill restaurant. It has received numerous gastronomic awards, including 2 Michelin stars. The chef offers guests traditional French dishes with a modern twist
- La Petite Auberge restaurant quickly gained popularity thanks to its signature cuisine, excellent wine selection and reasonable prices. Guests especially love the seafood dishes and original desserts. In the evenings, there are almost no free seats here, so booking a table in advance is highly recommended
- Near the Old Market Square is the restaurant Le 6e Sens. The establishment is located in the old town hall building and offers both French and international cuisine
The gastronomic symbol of the city is Rouen-style duck (Le véritable canard à la Rouennaise à la presse), which is served with a special sauce. Rouen is also famous for its apples, which are often used in various dishes. The famous apple pies Tarte Normande and Bourdelot, as well as the alcoholic drink Calvados, deserve special attention. Normandy is also the birthplace of Camembert cheese and the light alcoholic apple drink «Cider».
» READ MORE – Traditional dishes you need to try in Normandy
Spending time in Rouen means immersing yourself in a rich blend of history, culture and beauty. The capital of Normandy can capture the heart of anyone who visits, even in just one day.
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