Rouen Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Gros Horloge as well as a large group of people
Rouen
Rouen Cathedral featuring interior views and a church or cathedral
Rouen
Rouen featuring signage

Rouen offers all the treasures of Normandy, but it's also the land of the Impressionists and gastronomy; a journey full of beautiful experiences.

Rouen is inextricably bound up with the memory of Joan of Arc, who was burned alive after being convicted of heresy and witchcraft in 1431. The impressive Archbishop's Palace has a Historical Exhibition devoted to her memory, and its cutting-edge technology will let you relive the legend as if you were there.

The heart of Richard the Lionheart, King of England and Duke of Normandy, still beats symbolically in the flamboyant Notre-Dame Cathedral a Gothic gem, it has the tallest spire in France and contains the tombs of the Dukes of Normandy. The belfry houses the city's bells and the oldest clock mechanism in Europe.

The city centre is pedestrianised, which is perfect for wandering around admiring Rouen's 2000 half-timbered houses, also known as maisons à pans de bois in French.

If you like beautiful things, Rouen has the third highest number of antique shops in France. Just walking down the very traditional rue Damiette will make you want to take home a souvenir full of history.

The towpaths of the vallée de Seine and the cathedrals of Rouen inspired Monet, Sissley, Gauguin and Picasso. The Depeaux gallery in Rouen's Musée des Beaux-Arts is home to the second largest Impressionist collection in France, including works by young painters of the Rouen school, who brought out the real beauty of the Normandy bocage. As for literature, Flaubert and Corneille hail from the city a perfect opportunity to rediscover their writing while enjoying a glass of Calvados or a bowl of local cider.

All around Rouen you'll be charmed by the verdant landscapes that feature beautiful abbeys, such as the Abbey Church of Saint-Ouen or the Roman Abbey of Saint-Georges, Boscherville. You can also enjoy a panoramic view over the Seine and the charming jardins médicinaux.

As the capital of Normandy, Rouen is easily accessible via motorways A13, A28 and A29. There are four airports nearby (Rouen, Caen, Deauville and Beauvais) and a train station, one and a half hour's journey from Paris.

Where to stay in Rouen

Rouen featuring a small town or village and heritage architecture

Rouen City Centre

4/5(35 area reviews)

Historical sites, museums and art galleries are just a few things travellers like about Rouen City Centre. Sights like Saint-Ouen Church and Rouen Cathedral are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Rouen area at Palais de Justice Tram Station.

Rouen City Centre
Gros Horloge showing street scenes

Quartier Vieux Marché-Cathédrale

Historical sites, museums and art galleries are just a few things travellers like about Quartier Vieux Marché-Cathédrale. Sights like Gros Horloge and Rouen Cathedral are spots to explore, and you can get around the greater Rouen area at Palais de Justice Tram Station.

Quartier Vieux Marché-Cathédrale

Centre Ville Rive Gauche

4/5(3 area reviews)

Shopping, restaurants and historical sites highlight some of the notable features of Centre Ville Rive Gauche. Make a stop by Saint Sever while you're exploring.

Centre Ville Rive Gauche
Rouen featuring signage

Quartier Saint-Marc - Croix de Pierre - Saint-Nicaise

Historical sites, bars and river views are just a few things travellers enjoy about Quartier Saint-Marc - Croix de Pierre - Saint-Nicaise. Check out Saint-Ouen Church or Rue Eau de Robec while you're exploring the area.

Quartier Saint-Marc - Croix de Pierre - Saint-Nicaise
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Gare-Jouvenet

5/5(1 area review)

You'll appreciate the restaurants during your time in Gare-Jouvenet and you might want to plan a stop by Tour Jeanne d'Arc and Hotel de Ville while you're in the area.

Gare-Jouvenet
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Quartier Saint-Clément - Jardin des Plantes

4/5(9 area reviews)

While you're in Quartier Saint-Clément - Jardin des Plantes, take in top sights like Jardin des Plantes and jump on the metro at Honoré de Balzac Tram Stop to see more of the city.

Quartier Saint-Clément - Jardin des Plantes
Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Centre
Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Centre
4 out of 5
6-8 Rue du Donjon, Rouen
The price is £120 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£120
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Rouen. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), 24-hour room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (616 reviews)
"Great Hotel!"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Centre
Hyatt Place Rouen
Hyatt Place Rouen
4 out of 5
77 Route De Neufchatel, Rouen
The price is £103 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
£103
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Rouen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Musée des Antiquites and Museum de ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (123 reviews)
"Very comfortable room. Really appreciated the Aircon. Surprised towels refreshed daily. Lot of unnecessary washing. Had expected guests to decide if they needed clean towels."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Hyatt Place Rouen
ibis budget Rouen Centre Rive Gauche
ibis budget Rouen Centre Rive Gauche
2 out of 5
55 AVENUE DE LA LIBERATION, Rouen
The price is £51 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£51
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this eco-certified hotel in Rouen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (437 reviews)
"Great modern safe hotel to stop at in Rouen"

Reviewed on 22 Jun 2025

ibis budget Rouen Centre Rive Gauche
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
DOMITYS ROUEN LES MOSAIQUES
DOMITYS ROUEN LES MOSAIQUES
64 Rue Saint-Julien, Rouen, Seine-Maritime
Stay at this residence in Rouen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 10 indoor pools and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Saint Sever and Jardin des Plantes are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4 reviews)
"Sejour de 3 jours, bien."

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

DOMITYS ROUEN LES MOSAIQUES
Les Boréales – Appart’hotel & Restaurant
Les Boréales – Appart’hotel & Restaurant
52 Rue Meridienne, Rouen
Stay at this aparthotel in Rouen. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a sauna and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Jardin des Plantes and Saint Sever are located ...
Les Boréales – Appart’hotel & Restaurant
Appart-Hôtel Terres de France Flaubert
Appart-Hôtel Terres de France Flaubert
29 Av. Jean Rondeaux, Rouen, Seine-Maritime
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Rouen. Enjoy a full-service spa, parking (surcharge) and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Saint Sever and Rouen Opera House ...
Appart-Hôtel Terres de France Flaubert
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Rouen

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
20
5 - Excellent 59%
4 - Good
11
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Got amazingly surprised by this city! Will go back for sure

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Walk the street and use the transport system; soak up the atmosphere of the place (unless there has been a chemical fire!)

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely vibrant city

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely, ideal stop for a night after holiday further south, on Atlantic coast. Kyriad was a good base; had car park which was needed, not a long walk to town either. Bit noisy but to be expected really for a city location. Would visit again

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

The Cathedral Light Show was incredible.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Pleasant medieval centre to walk around. River bank provided easy dog walking

Cities near Rouen