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Europe > France > Normandy > Upper Normandy > Rouen

View of the back of the Cathedral (left) and Archbishop's Palace (right)

Rouen is the capital of the French region of Upper Normandy on the River Seine, 135 km (approximately 90 minutes drive) northwest from the centre of Paris. The city has a population of 110,000 and its metropolitan area includes some 666,000 inhabitants (2017). It is where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake, but the main reason for visiting is its incredible cathedral that inspired Monet to paint over 30 canvases. Rouen was the home of the author, Gustave Flaubert.

Understand

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Rouen was for a long time France's second city, after Paris, which explains the richness of the town's artistic heritage. It has hosted many famous French writers, including Victor Hugo, Guy Maupassant, and Gustave Flaubert, among others. Today, it deserves a visit for its monuments, Gothic art being particularly well represented, but also for the charm of its alleyways and the many half-timbered houses there are.

The town is on the right bank of the River Seine, but today, includes the left bank (the Saint-Sever area in particular, on the south of the river), and the Île Lacroix.

Get in

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By car

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  • From Paris, Rouen is approximately an hour and a half's drive (135 km) north-west from the centre of the French capital, the fastest route including the A13 motorway (note: this a toll road). An alternative route would include the N14 slightly further to the north.
  • From the Channel port city of Dieppe, Rouen is approximately an hour's drive (66 km) south along the N27.
  • From the French end of the Eurotunnel, Rouen is approximately a 2-hour drive (208 km) using the E402.
  • From other major centres in Normandy, Rouen is respectively 90 km (1 hr 10 min) from Le Havre, 128 km (1 hr 25 min) from Caen, 156 km (1 hr 45 min) from Bayeux and 249 km (2 hr 45 min) from Cherbourg.

By train

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  • 1 Gare de Rouen Rive Droite, Place Bernard Tissot. Several trains depart from the St Lazare Station in Paris for Rouen on a daily basis. Tickets cost around €21 and can be purchased at the station immediately beforehand. Travel time is about 1 hr 15 min. For schedules, visit SNCF travel. (updated Aug 2017)
    • The train posting in Paris St-Lazare can be confusing to the first-time traveller. The train platform number (la voie) is not posted until 15–20 minutes before the departure, so do not panic if you arrive earlier than that. Look for the train heading to Le Havre or Dieppe which will be leaving from the platforms to the right as you enter the concourse. Do not forget to punch (composter) your ticket in one of the yellow machines before boarding. This will validate your ticket.

By bus

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Flixbus and BlablaCar Bus serve the city. From Paris, connections can be made with buses throughout France and Europe.

By boat

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Ferries from the UK go to the French ports of Dieppe and Le Havre, from where trains can be caught to Rouen. For foot-passengers, the train and ferry journey from London via Newhaven and Dieppe is one of the most pleasant and restful ways of getting to Rouen.

By plane

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Get around

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Map of public transport in Rouen. The Métro is blue, the T1 line is red, T2 line is green and T3 line is purple. The last three are BRT lines.

The city center is compact and all sights can easily be seen by foot, however, there is public transport throughout the town.

The Métro du Rouen is a tramway operating in Rouen, running north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines - one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque.

There is also a "bus rapid transit" system, which is very similar to a normal bus system, in Rouen, called the Transport est-ouest rouennais (TEOR). This system has three lines in the town, T1, T2 and T3, all of which run on the north of the river.

A normal bus system also exists with 29 lines operating throughout the town.

Tickets for public transport can be bought from many places[dead link], including the Gare-Rue Verte tram station on Place Bernard-Tissot, the Théâtre des Arts tram station on rue Jeanne d'Arc, from conductors on buses (not on TEOR) and from automatic ticket machines at metro and TEOR stations. Tickets can also be bought by text, costing €1.60 and are valid for one hour.

  • Velo-R north of the Seine on Avenue Jeanne D' Arc (near the metro station) rents bikes for €1-2 per day. The city also has an official bicycle rental scheme where you can rent a bike at one location and drop it off at another.
  • A scooter shop on Avenue De Bretagne no. 18 rents scooters but they need to be reserved ahead of time. There is also an Avis in town.

By taxi

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Cloister of the Cathedral
Saint-Ouen de Rouen
The Jardin des Plantes
  • 1 Rouen Cathedral (la cathédrale de Rouen), ☏ +33 2 35 71 51 23, . A stunning building that dates back to the 4th century and is a wonderful mixture of various architectural styles since then. A new spire built in the 19th century meant that it briefly qualified as the tallest building in the world. The façade of the cathedral was famously painted by Claude Monet at various times during the day - like his Haystacks series of paintings - capturing the subject in a variety of lights. In the summer after dark the city puts on a light show projecting some of Monet's cathedral paintings onto the façade of the cathedral itself, each showing lasts approximately 10 minutes and runs until about midnight. €2 for a guided tour. Rouen Cathedral (Q476516) on Wikidata Rouen Cathedral on Wikipedia 
  • La Vieille Ville. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in the center of la vieille ville. A simple field of wildflowers marks the spot of her martyrdom. Next to it is the modern Eglise de Jeanne d'Arc. 
  • 2 La Gros-Horloge (The Great Clock) (in the middle of the rue du Gros Horloge). The mechanism of the clock is one of the oldest in France. Climb to the top for a beautiful view of the city. Gros Horloge (Q3116957) on Wikidata Gros Horloge on Wikipedia 
  • 3 Birthplace of writer Gustave Flaubert, 51, rue de Lecat (off Boulevard des Belges and not far from place Cauchoise). Best known for his scandalous novel Madame Bovary, has been converted into a museum of his life and of 19th-century medicine (his father and brother were doctors) (updated Aug 2023)
  • 4 Birthplace of playwright Pierre Corneille, 4, rue de la Pie (a moment's walk from Vieux Marche), ☏ +33 2 76 08 80 88, . Sa 09:00-12:00, 13:30-17:30; Su 14:00-18:00. The birthplace of the French playwright, who is best known for his tragicomedy Le Cid from the mid-17th century. 
  • 5 Abbatiale St-Ouen (next to the Hotel de Ville at the end of Rue de la Republique). The magnificent Gothic architecture is not to be missed in this abbey built in 1318. Saint-Ouen Abbey, Rouen (Q1589963) on Wikidata Church of St. Ouen, Rouen on Wikipedia 
  • 6 Historial Jeanne d'Arc, 7, Rue Saint romain, ☏ +33 2 35 52 48 00, . Museum and audio visual presentation of Joan of Arc, sells itself as "not like a traditional museum". €9.50, €6.50 reduced. Historial Jeanne d'Arc (Q17355300) on Wikidata 
  • 7 Musée des Beaux-Arts, Esplanade Marcel-Duchamp, ☏ +33 2 35 71 28 40, . 10:00-18:00. It was founded in 1801 by Napoleon, and has paintings by Monet, Caravaggio, Robert Antoine Pinchon and others. Permanent collections are free. Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen (Q3086934) on Wikidata Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen on Wikipedia 
  • 8 Musée Le Secq des Tournelles, rue Jacques Villon, ☏ +33 2 35 71 28 40, . A museum about ironwork, which was founded in 1920, in a church from the 11th century. Free entry, €4 for temporary exhibitions. Musée Le Secq des Tournelles (Q3329242) on Wikidata 
  • 9 Jardin des Plantes, 7, rue de Trianon, ☏ +33 2 35 08 87 45. Nov-Feb: 08:00-17:15; Mar-Apr, Sep-Oct: 08:00-18:30; May-Aug: 08:00-20:00. These botanical gardens were created in 1691, and opened to the public in 1741. They have greenhouses, statues and around 600 species of plant. Jardin des Plantes de Rouen (Q3162568) on Wikidata Jardin des Plantes de Rouen on Wikipedia 
  • 10 Musée du Patrimoine des Ecoles, ☏ +33 2 32 98 90 35, . M 14:30-17:00. A museum dedicated to the local area's old school from the 1950s-1960s. Group visits can be arranged 
  • 11 Pont Gustave-Flaubert. A €60-million lift bridge, opened in 2008, named after French novelist Gustave Flaubert. It is the third tallest building in the town. Pont Gustave-Flaubert (Q839285) on Wikidata Pont Gustave-Flaubert on Wikipedia 
  • L'atrium, 115 Boulevard de l'Europe, 76100 Rouen, ☏ +33 2 35 89 42 27. 14:00-18:00, closed on Mondays. Museum on aviation, space flight and related professions. Regular sessions and demonstrations. €6. (updated Apr 2019)
  • 12 Musée Maritime Fluvial et Portuaire, Hangar 13, Quai Emile Duchemin, ☏ +33 2 32 10 15 51. Local museum highlighting the maritime history of the town. Children will likely enjoy the real boats just outside the museum which you can go on and explore. Maritime, Fluvial and Harbor Museum of Rouen (Q104314) on Wikidata Maritime, Fluvial and Harbour Museum of Rouen on Wikipedia 
  • Rouen has many biking trails and forests nearby. There is a trail on the north side of the Seine to the Foret Roumare. La Véloroute du Val de Seine is a cycling route following the Seine starting at Elbeuf just south of Rouen, and ending at Le Havre.
  • Get a boat trip along the Seine, some companies offering cruises include Escapade en Seine and Normandie Croisières[dead link].
  • 1 Centre Sportif Guy Boissière, Allée du Docteur Duchêne, ☏ +33 2 35 07 94 70. Swimming pools, swimming lessons - including an Olympic sized swimming pool. There's also two ice rinks here. For the reduced price, bring along ID proving you're entitled to a reduction in price, or proof you've lived in Rouen for at least a year. Pool: €5.20, €3.80 reduced or Rouen resident. Ice rink: €6.30, €4.90 reduced or Rouen resident. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 2 Omnia (Cinéma Omnia République), 28 rue de la République, ☏ +33 2 35 07 82 70. Cinema near the Île Lacroix. €4-8.50. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 3 Théâtre des Arts, 7 rue du Docteur-Rambert, ☏ +33 2 35 98 50 98, . The Rouen Opera House, home of the Rouen Philharmonic Orchestra. Rouen Opera House (Q3527737) on Wikidata Rouen Opera House on Wikipedia (updated Aug 2017)
  • 4 Théâtre des Deux Rives, 48 rue Louis Ricard, ☏ +33 2 35 89 63 41, . A theatre founded in 1985, with a capacity of 208. (updated Aug 2017)
  • Football: US Quevilly-Rouen were relegated in 2024 and now play soccer in Championnat National, the third tier. Their home ground Stade Robert Diochon (capacity 8300) is in Le Petit-Quevilly, 5 km south across the river from city centre.
A view of Île Lacroix from the Cathedral.
  • Market on Saturdays and Sundays at Place Saint Marc. Fresh produce, flowers, bric-a-brac and antiques. Well worth a visit. Closes early on Sunday, approx at 13:00.
  • Cheeses, meats, fruit and vegetables can be bought at the Vieux Marche. A larger selection, as well as used clothing, furniture, and knick-knacks can be found at the Place de Saint Marc.

Markets

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  • 1 Marché des saveurs, Allée Eugène Boudin. 09:00-18:00, second and fourth Saturday of the month. Sells foods of all types, cakes, meat, cheese, etc. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 2 Marché à la brocante, Allée Eugène Boudin. 09:00-18:00, first and third Saturday of the month. Flea market. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 3 Marché de la Calende, Place de la Calende. Tu F 08:00-18:00. Market selling all sorts of food. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 4 Marché de l'Ile Lacroix, Avenue Jacques Chastellain. W 08:00-12:30; Sa (vegetables) 08:00-12:30. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 5 Marché des Emmurées, Cours Clémenceau. Tu Sa 06:30-18:00; Th 07:00-18:00. Covered market, selling food and flowers. Flea market on Thursday. (updated Aug 2017)

Shopping centres

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A view of the Seine in Rouen from La Corniche.

Most of the tourist restaurants are located near the Eglise Sainte Jenne D'Arc. They are likely to be open Sunday when most other restaurants are closed. There are also shops, markets, and patisseries in that square and scattered throughout Rouen to purchase food. Many are open Sunday as well.

Budget

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City centre

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  • 1 La Cantine, 192 Rue Eau de Robec, ☏ +33 6 62 81 56 74, . Vegetarian restaurant on a pedestrian street. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 2 La Rose des Vents, 33 Pl. de la Basse Vieille Tour. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 3 L'Ascot, 1 Rue de la Vicomte. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 4 Un Grain de..., 24 Rue Cauchoise. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 5 Quick Grill, 8 Rue Percière. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 6 Les Cousines, 16 Pl. du Lieutenant Aubert. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 7 Crêperie Mont Saint Michel, 6 Rue des Augustins. (updated Feb 2023)

Saint-Sever

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  • 8 Ikaze Henriette, 12 Rue Malouet. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 9 Restaurant La Dune, 10 Pl. des Emmurées. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 10 Etoile du sud, 12 Pl. des Emmurées. (updated Feb 2023)

Mid-range

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  • 11 Le Sixième sens, 2 Rue Thomas Corneille, ☏ +33 2 35 88 43 97, . Fancy restaurant near the Église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc. Typical French cuisine. Nice setting on busy weekends. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 12 Tarte Tatin, 99, rue de la Vicomté, ☏ +33 2 35 89 35 73, . Tu-Sa 12:00-22:30. Crêpe restaurant. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 13 La Petite Auberge, 164 rue de Martainville, ☏ +33 2 35 70 80 18. Tu 12:00-13:30; W-Su 12:00-13:30, 19:15-22:00. Traditional French restaurant, specialising in snails (escargots). (updated Feb 2023)
  • 14 Bistro Nova, 29 Pl. du Lieutenant Aubert. (updated Feb 2023)
  • 15 Le Kitsch, 10 Rue du Tambour. (updated Feb 2023)
  • Chez Nou, 10 rue Percière. (updated May 2023)

Splurge

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Drink

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Sleep

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Budget

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  • Alive Hotel de Quebec, 18-24, rue de Québec, ☏ +33 2 35 70 09 38, . A clean, comfortable and friendly city centre hotel. It is modestly priced, despite being a few minutes walk from the river and cathedral. This hotel also has arrangements with several local restaurants and can organise "Soirées D'Etape", which include a room, breakfast and evening meal at a restaurant (the hotel has no restaurant of its own). 
  • Hotel Le Morand, 1 rue Morand (midway between the station and the cathedral), ☏ +33 2 35714607, fax: +33 2 35714626, . Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 11:00. Quiet hotel. Delightful breakfast served in oak-beamed dining room. €50-60. 
  • Ferme du Coquetot B&B, 46 rue du Coq, Bourg-Beaudouin. Ferme du Coquetot is a B&B set on a farm 15 minutes from Rouen. The owners may invite you to see the milking and learn about the farm. Fresh farm products are available for dinner (table d'hotes on booking, €16 per person) or for breakfast. 
  • 1 Hôtel Kyriad Rouen Centre, 14 quai Gaston Boulet, ☏ +33 2 35 15 25 25, . Hotel overlooking the Seine, not far from the Panorama XXL. (updated Aug 2017)

Mid-range

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Splurge

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Connect

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Stay safe

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Hospitals

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See also: European Health Insurance Card

CHU de Rouen has five hospitals in the Rouen area.

  • 1 Hôpital Charles-Nicolle, 43 rue Gambetta (TEOR lines T1, T2, T3 stop "CHU Charles-Nicolle"), ☏ +33 2 32 88 89 90. This hospital has 1351 beds, which is more than half of the beds CHU de Rouen has. 

Cope

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Consulates

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Go next

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  • Dieppe, a lovely seaside resort, 45 minutes away.

The whole Norman countryside, coast, and the Seine valley are spectacular with beautiful peaceful green pastures and forests, white cliffs, and including such famous sites as the cliff-arches of Etretat.

  • An ideal half-day trip would include Les Andelys, a picturesque village with an impressive castle just south of Rouen
  • Next stop could be the little 17th-century harbor of Honfleur, 90 km (56 mi) west
  • Le Havre and its modern architecture which belongs to the prestigious Unesco World Heritage List (regular trains running from Rouen)Visit Le Havre page on the site to get a better view of western Normandy
  • From Rouen station you can reach Bayeux and its impressive tapestry. It is a two-hour train ride and is only 30 minutes from the D-Day beaches. Additionally, busy Lille, chock full of museums and an enormous flea market in early September, lies to the North; about two hours on the train, €30 each way.
  • Vernon and Monet's home at Giverny are about 40 minutes away on the train (direction of Paris, less than €20.
Routes through Rouen
Caen ← Le Havre ←  W Autoroute de Normandie SE  → Giverny → Paris


This city travel guide to Rouen is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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