Rouen is a charming French town located in the Normandy region of France and it oozes cultural, beauty and charm!
It's actually the “capital” of the Normandy region and it's probably one of my favourite cities as it has the perfect blend of modern and old.
It's also one of the places I recommend taking if you are taking a road trip through France.
So, if you find yourself in here, I’ve put together some top things to do in Rouen to get you started!
Well actually all year is a great time to visit France in general, but it depends on what you’re looking for.
If you seek heat and sunshine, then head in the summer months, which tend to be busier, or if you want snow and Christmas markets, then winter is a great choice!
Rouen, France is perfect for a city break. I would recommend around 2 or 3 nights.
It’s also a great place to visit on day trips from Paris, or other areas of Normandy.
I only spent a day trip there, but I didn’t get to do everything, so I definitely think a couple of days is a good option. Plus more time to eat all the amazing French food!
You can get to Rouen via car from the UK thanks to lots of frequent ferry crossings from Dover to Calais.
Or, you can fly to an airport in the Normandy area and transfer.
Since flights to Paris are quite cheap during the year, you could also fly there and hop on the train to Rouen from there! Trains leave frequently.
Alternatively, and if you have the time to spare, I recommend you hire a campervan or motorhome in France and drive your way there!
Or if this doesn't appeal to you, then you could check out the best car rentals France has to offer.
In total we spent around a month road tripping all of the beautiful spots across France and would put it up there as one of the best countries in Europe to road trip.
We didn’t stay in the city. We actually stayed just a 40 minute drive in the countryside in one of the most beautiful Airbnbs we have ever stayed in.
You can check it out here. This place is amazing value for money, and if you have a car, you need to stay here.
It’s the most well put together Airbnb I’ve ever been too, and justlook how pretty it is!
You can use Booking.com to search for good value properties in Rouen too.
There are some great hotels in Rouen for you to stay! I’ve rounded up my favourite budget, mid-range and luxury options!
Let’s get right to the top things to do in Rouen.
Before I went, I had researched a few things I wanted to see, but I recommend heading straight to the tourist information centre and get the map.
There is a 2 hour walking route available which takes you through all the historical and modern sights that has to offer, but here are the highlights.
This is probably one of the most significant things to do in Rouen. Like many great landmarks in France, this cathedral is ridiculously old (we are talking 12th century)! But that's largely what helps make it so special and beautiful.
It’s free to enter and you’ll want to bring your camera. The great thing about most of the old buildings in Rouen is the Gothic architecture.
It’s my favourite form of building, and they do it so well.
This is again free (yay!), but this is without a doubt one of the most magnificent churches from the outside (and inside) that I have ever scene.
The detail in the architecture is mind-blowing and it’s just so beautiful.
When you walk around inside, it looks like it’s something the Volturi should be in (yes, it’s a twilight reference, but you’ll see what I mean). It’s very grand and beautiful and should be on your list of places to visit in Rouen, France!
Friends fans, rejoice! There is a cafe in Rouen that’s based on the friends cafe! The logo is cool and they serve you coffee in big mugs, just like the show, but it’s not a complete replica.
The guidebook actually says it is, and whilst it may have a similar structure and wall pattern, it’s not the Friend’s cafe, BUT, that you still 100% have to go
Ps, you don’t need to be religious to appreciate the magnificence of these buildings, but if you are, then there are plenty of opportunities to light candles to various different saints.
Yes, another church, but this one is also cool. You remember Joan of Arc?, Burnt at the stake, wild history, well this is a boat shaped monument that was built to honour her.
She was actually burnt at the stake in Rouen by the English on the 30th of May 1431. So to be in the place where it happened in the history books is quite significant and worth it's place on the top things to do in Rouen list.
There are actually a few beautiful gardens around Rouen, some botanical and filled with amazing flowers and water fountains. I suggest you simply wander and see what you come across.
Jardin des Plantes de Rouen is the best one as it’s got plants from 5 continents, and a boating lake, (you can have a notebook moment).
When in France you should always aim to eat around 12-2.
This is because it’s the best value. In Rouen you can get a 3 course meal with a drink for around an average of 15 euro around this time. If you don’t want the set menu, then I would expect to pay around 14 euro for a main course.
The set menus usually give you different options, and are always the best value choice. Make lunch time your big meal, like the French do!
If you don’t want to dine like the French, then you’ve got your typical fast food outlets available including Subway and Burger King, but you’re in France...so come on!
I say this because I think it’s a good idea to get a little lost in most cities, and Rouen is a city in which this is possible.
You won’t get lost and as you wander you’ll find lots of amazing buildings and unique sights (there is an old dungeon tower with an escape room built into it!), and you can see all the beautifully old (and painted) houses along the streets. It’s really a beautiful area.
Plus, you may wander into the shopping street in which you can search for souvenirs, or simply treat yourself!
So there you have it, that’s my list of the top things to do in Rouen, especially if you’re only there for a day. There really is much more you can do and see such as many museums, but it wasn’t that sort of trip for us!
Let me know if you’ve been and what you thought.
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