Complete Guide to Visiting Rouen, France

Rouen is a beautiful, historic city in France that’s often overlooked by tourists.  It’s the capital city (and gateway) to Normandy, has great bars and restaurants, and has charming streets and medieval architecture that makes walking around a treat in itself.  In this guide to visiting Rouen, I’m sharing the top attractions in Rouen, where to eat, the best time to visit the city, and more insider tips!

 

If you’re planning a trip to Normandy, don’t miss…

• Exploring Normandy’s WWII History:  5 Historic Sites Near Bayeux
• A Weekend Trip to Mont Saint-Michel
• The Perfect 4 Day Normandy Road Trip Itinerary

 

Where is Rouen?

Rouen is a historic city in northern France, located in the Normandy region along the banks of the Seine River.  It’s about 68 miles (135 km) northwest of Paris, making it an easy trip from the capital.  (If you don’t have much time, you could easily take a day trip from Paris to Rouen).  Known for its medieval charm, Rouen is famous for its stunning Gothic cathedral, half-timbered houses, and its connection to Joan of Arc who was executed in Rouen in 1431.  The city played a significant role in French history and was once one of the most important ports in the country.

 

Is Rouen Worth Visiting?

Rouen is not my favorite place in Normandy, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth a visit.  As a gateway to Normandy, I would recommend making the stop since it’s such a quick and cheap train ride from Paris (you could even do a day trip from Paris if you wanted to!).  If you like slow days, quaint streets, beautiful architecture, and history; then yes, Rouen is worth visiting.

 

Best Things to Do in Rouen

Below you’ll find the top attractions in Rouen that I would recommend prioritizing!

 

Rouen Cathedral

Standing tall in the heart of Rouen, this Gothic masterpiece is nothing short of breathtaking.  Its intricate facade, famously painted by Monet in different lights, is a sight to behold, while the towering spire makes it one of the tallest churches in France.  Step inside to admire the stunning stained glass windows and visit the tomb of Richard the Lionheart, whose heart is buried here.  Whether you’re marveling at the sheer scale of the architecture or simply soaking in the history, the cathedral is an unmissable stop in Rouen.

 

Gros Horloge

Suspended above a charming cobblestone street, this ornate 14th-century astronomical clock has been keeping time for the city for centuries.  If you like city views, make sure to make time to climb the tower for panoramic views over Rouen’s rooftops.  Fun fact: It’s one of the oldest working clocks in France, and it has no minute hand – because back in the 14th-century, the hour was all that mattered!

 

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen

 

Tours in Rouen

Rouen is a historic and important city in France.  To learn more about the history and culture of a place, I always recommend taking a tour to meet the locals and learn more about your destination.  Here are the tours in Rouen I recommend…

• Guided Tour of the Secret History of Rouen
• Guided Tour of the Historic Center of Rouen

 

Best Bars & Restaurants in Rouen

Below you’ll find my top recommendations for where to eat and drink in Rouen…

• Artefact – Best for coffee & views
• Le Petit Bar Cocktails – Best for cocktails in an intimate setting
• Au Flameron 23 – Best for intimate French dinner
• Navio – Best for lively and casual French dinner

 

Traditional Normandy Cuisine

Normandy’s cuisine is the kind of comfort food that makes you want to linger at the table a little longer.  This region is all about rich, buttery flavors, thanks to its world-class dairy – think creamy Camembert, gooey Pont-l’Évêque (a type of soft cheese), and rich Isigny cream.  Seafood is just as popular, with fresh oysters, moules marinières (mussels in white wine sauce), and scallops straight from the coast.  And you can’t talk about Normandy’s cuisine without mentioning Normandy’s obsession with apples.  Apples in the form of cider, Calvados (apple brandy), or a warm slice of tarte normande.  Meals here are hearty, simple, and best enjoyed with a view of a half-timbered street or a quiet countryside orchard.

Hot tip:  Always save room for cheese and cider!

 

How to Get to Rouen

Located just outside of Paris, Rouen is easy to get to by train (from Paris or other regions of France), by car, or by one of their two biggest airports – Caen-Carpiquet (CFR) and Deauville-Normandie (DOL).

 

Taking the Train to Rouen

Taking the train in France is easy and affordable and there are multiple trains that run from Paris to Rouen (along with other cities) every day.  The easiest way to book train tickets in France is by using Omio – a platform where you can view the different train companies along with departure times and prices.  The train station you’ll want to arrive to in Rouen is Rouen-Rive-Droite.

Once you arrive to the Rouen train station, you can walk to your hotel or grab a taxi at the taxi station outside.  Finally, Uber and Bolt both operate in Rouen so you can request a ride (which is generally cheaper than a taxi) this way.

 

BOOK YOUR TRAIN TICKET TO ROUEN HERE!

 

Driving to Rouen

If you’re planning to road trip around Normandy, driving to Rouen is also an option!  (When I did a Normandy road trip, I took the train to Rouen and rented a car from Rouen so I didn’t have to drive from busy Paris).  I recommend using Discover Cars when searching for car rentals to compare multiple companies and prices.

Tip:  Make sure to book a hotel that has parking available if you’re planning to have a rental car in Rouen!

 

 

 

For tips on renting a car in France, don’t miss…

• A Guide to Renting a Car in France

 

Where to Stay in Rouen

When visiting Rouen, I would recommend staying in or as close to the medieval center as possible.  Here are the best hotels in Rouen…

• Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert, BW Signature Collection
• Hôtel Paulette Rouen Centre Cathédrale
• Radisson Blue Hotel, Rouen Centre
• Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection

 

Best Time to Visit Rouen

The best time to visit Rouen is during the spring (April to June) and early fall (September to October), when the weather is more mild and there are fewer tourists, making it easier to enjoy Rouen’s history and museums at a relaxed pace.  Summer (July to August) is peak season, with warm temperatures and large crowds.  Winter (November to February) is quieter, with cooler temperatures and a festive charm, especially during the holiday season.

I visited Rouen in March and the weather was okay – rainy and chilly.  The upside was that there were very few tourists and it felt like I got most attractions to myself.

 

How Long to Spend in Rouen

You really don’t need more than a day to explore the attractions in Rouen.  If you’re a slow traveler (like me), then I would suggest two full days to really soak in the city.  Furthermore, if you’re limited on time, Rouen can easily be done as a day trip from Paris.  The train ride is around two hours long and the first train departs Paris to Rouen each morning at 0546 with the last train leaving Rouen at 2059.  There are 30 direct trains from Rouen to Paris each day.

 

Practical Tips for Visiting Rouen

Here are some tips to make your trip to Rouen seamless!

1. Language – French (but most people speak at least a little bit of English)
2. Getting around – The city is very walkable but there are also public buses that can get you from one place to the next
3. Money – Everywhere that I visited in Rouen accepted debit/credit card
4. Shoes – make sure to pack comfortable shoes for the cobblestone streets (read this post for how to pack for a trip to France)

 

France Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting France

 

I hope that you found this guide to visiting Rouen helpful!  If you have any questions about traveling to Rouen or about things to see and do in Rouen, let me know in a comment below.

 

If you’re planning a trip to France, don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to France

 

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For more information on things to see and do in France, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinfrance” or under my highlights for “France” or “Normandy”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “France” highlight

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