Rouen, France

Rouen

A medieval city of half-timbered streets and the cathedral Monet painted.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
ÉtretatFrance · Nature spotÉtretat71 kmParisFrance · CityParis112 kmChartresFrance · Hidden townChartres115 kmBayeuxFrance · Hidden townBayeux132 kmSeven Sisters CliffsUnited Kingdom · Nature spotSeven Sisters Cliffs158 kmForest of FontainebleauFrance · Nature spotForest of Fontainebleau164 kmRyeUnited Kingdom · Hidden townRye170 kmBrightonUnited Kingdom · CityBrighton177 km

Things to do

2 days in Rouen

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the cathedral Monet painted again and again, then see the Gros-Horloge clock over the street.
  2. AfternoonVisit the Museum of Fine Arts and the square where Joan of Arc was burned, with its modern church.
  3. EveningHave dinner among the half-timbered houses around the Place du Vieux-Marché.

Day 2

Visit Monet's gardens in Giverny, or the abbeys along the Seine.

What to eat

Canard à la rouennaise and a Normandy camembert.

Local tips

Make the most of Rouen

Beat the crowds

The old town is calm in the morning and lively in the evening.

Best photo spot

The cathedral facade that Monet painted again and again, and the Gros-Horloge, an old clock over a street.

Getting there

Trains from Paris take about 1.5 hours. The old town is walkable.

Don't miss nearby

Giverny, with Monet's house and garden, about 45 minutes away.

Good to know

Joan of Arc died in Rouen; a modern church stands on the spot in the old market square.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Rouen

Our most hidden places around Rouen: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Rouen to take with you.

52 km away
63 km away
91 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Rouen

Getting there

  • Deauville Airport (DOL)70 km away
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)115 km away
  • Paris110 km away
  • Brighton175 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryFrance

Questions

Rouen: good to know

Is Rouen worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A medieval city of half-timbered streets and the cathedral Monet painted.

How many days do you need in Rouen?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Rouen?

You can visit all year. The old town is calm in the morning and lively in the evening.

How do you get to Rouen?

The nearest airport is Deauville Airport (DOL), about 70 km away. Trains from Paris take about 1.5 hours. The old town is walkable.

What is there to see near Rouen?

Nearby hidden places include Étretat (71 km), Paris (112 km) and Chartres (115 km).

Day trips from Rouen: 6 hidden places nearby
More hidden places in France (72)