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One of the most beautiful and historic cities in France, Rouen, is a delight to explore. Get lost in the winding cobble-stone streets, take in majestic buildings, and find out about the most famous person to have met their grisly end in the city’s now picturesque square. There are plenty of attractions in Rouen to keep you busy for a day – but don’t make the mistake of thinking it isn’t worth more of your time.
Where Is Rouen?
Rouen is the capital of Normandy, the northern region of France more commonly associated with the famous WWII D-Day landings. But there’s a lot more to this area than stories from 20th Century wars. And despite being in the north of France, it’s really not that difficult to get to Rouen.
Did you know that it’s less than 150km from Paris to Rouen? And as anyone who’s ever visited Paris knows, the best way to get out of the city is by train.
Rouen is only an hour and twenty minutes by train from Paris Saint-Lazare train station. For around 60€ round trip it’s a pretty budget friendly day trip.
How Many Days Do You Need To See The Attractions In Rouen?
Rouen can easily be done as a day trip from Paris. If you time the trains right you can get a good 8-10 hours in Rouen without a super early start, or getting back really late.
With so many wonderful attractions in Rouen, and for such a beautiful city, you really should spend more time. I’d recommend two or three days, or longer if you plan to use it as a base to further explore northern France.
Rouen is a special place to me though. It was the first place I ever visited in France – I lived and worked here for a couple of weeks in high school as we did work experience in Rouen for French class. I have been back a number of times since and still find new things to see and do here. Don’t limit your time in Rouen, it’s a great city.
Rouen Through History
Rouen dates back to the 12th Century, and became a very large and important city during the Middle Ages. The fact that the city sits alongside the River Seine further helped with trade, and connection to other cities like Paris.
Those who know their history will know that England was conquered in 1066 by a Norman king, William the Conqueror. Norman = Normandy, therefore the history of France and England was intertwined for a long time. Fast forward to the 14th Century and the English (with French heritage) were back, trying to claim the French throne. Needless to say it didn’t go according to plan, and we entered into the 100 Years War.
How did Rouen fair, you may ask? Not great, being the capital of Normandy. Tensions were high in the region during this (more accurately) 116-year war. The siege of Rouen was a particularly big event that resulted in the surrender of Rouen to the English.
A decade later Rouen’s most famous freedom fighter got involved – Joan of Arc. She was adamant that the French would prevail once more, as told to her in visions which led her crusade. The divine visions didn’t help her, and resulted in her being burned at the stake in Rouen for heresy by the English. Rouen would finally be returned to the French almost 20-years later.
Compared to the medieval times, Rouen has been largely uneventful since save for the odd siege. That is until the German occupation during WWII. Nowadays though, Rouen is a sleepy city, filled with nods to its historical past, including some fantastical old buildings and ancient streets.
10 Attractions In Rouen You Shouldn’t Miss
Now that you know a little more about Rouen’s past, let’s take a look at some of the parts that survived. And the amazing attractions in Rouen you can spend time visiting today. There’s enough in the city to keep you busy for a while, but here are some of my top picks for things to do in Rouen if you only have a couple of days.
ROUEN CATHEDRAL
It has to be done. Rouen Cathedral is an ornate, imposing sight in the middle of the old town. It’s survived fires, war, lightning strikes, even a hurricane – all of which contributed to it being an almost permanent work in progress for a few hundred years.
But now, the cathedral is a spectacular sight. The sculpture work around the outside of the cathedral is mesmerizingly intricate and inside the gothic cathedral is just as beautiful.
Visit for free most days, or take a guided tour on a weekend for a more in-depth look at the pride of Rouen.
LE GROS-HORLOGE
One of my favorite attractions in Rouen is it’s phenomenal astronomical clock. Dating back to the 14th century, it is older than the equally impressive, but way more popular astronomical clock in Prague, Czechia.
The Great Clock looks over one of the main pedestrian shopping streets of Rouen on an archway that you will almost certainly walk under. Don’t just let the clock face steal all your interest, look up while walking under the archway. Here you’ll see rural scenes and Jesus carved into the stone.
For 7.50€ you can step inside the clock, and discover the museum telling more about the mechanics behind the clock and the city of Rouen. Not to mention the epic views over the city from a fantastic vantage point.
HISTORIAL JEANNE D’ARC
All over Rouen you will see Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc in French) immortalized. As a patron saint of France she is already a popular figure, but perhaps nowhere more than Rouen where she died for her cause.
The Historial Jeanne d’Arc opened in 2015 and is a museum telling the story of the trials of Joan of Arc. That’s right, there was more than one. The first was the one that led to her death. The second 25 years later which exonerated her. Much like the Salem witch trials, it appeared many lines between truth and fiction were blurred around Joan’s first trial.
The museum is 11€ and comes with an audio guide translator since the museum is a video immersive experience. You’ll be led from room to room through each step of the trial. The entire experience will last around 75-minutes.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: Since the videos are played in a room and are set times, you can’t skip any part of the tour. Therefore make sure you have enough time to do the whole museum. Since some videos are longer than others, you may have to wait a few minutes before being able to advance.
DONJON DE ROUEN
If you’re heading to Rouen by train, the Donjon de Rouen is only a stones throw away from Rouen-Rive-Droite station. It’s small, but also very cheap, so well worth checking out on your visit.
The dungeon tower is the last remaining part of the medieval castle of Rouen. Joan of Arc was once held in another tower in the original 13th Century building, but part of her trial was conducted in this tower.
Nowadays, you can enter this tower and take a look around the three levels. Inside you’ll also learn a bit more about its role during the Second World War when the tower was occupied by German forces. You won’t need much time here, but for 2.50€ you can’t go wrong.
ROUEN IRONWORKS MUSEUM
The Musée Le Secq des Tournelles is an interesting and FREE museum in the city center. It displays thousands of wrought ironworks from locks to gates, kitchen items to candelabras. For over 100 years this collection has grown and there are some truly unique pieces.
Oh and did I mention that the museum is housed in a 15th Century church? That makes the museum an even more interesting place to visit. Plus it’s the perfect home for a lot of items that can often be found in and around churches and similar buildings.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: The museum is closed Tuesdays, and only open other days between 2pm and 6pm. Being free though, this museum is definitely value for money.
CHURCH OF ST. JOAN OF ARC
One of my favorite things about this church, which stands right in the middle of Rouen market square, are its stained glass windows. The beautiful designs were fortunate enough to have been hidden during WWII before their original church was destroyed.
But before you even step inside you’ll notice the completely unique shape of one of the top attractions in Rouen. The long, curved roof is shaped like an upturned boat, a popular design way back when, and now reflected in this more modern church.
DID YOU KNOW? Next to the church is a small garden with a simple plaque that shows the exact spot where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake here in Rouen.
HALLETTE DU VIEUX MARCHÉ
As markets go, this one isn’t huge, but it is a great place to see where the locals shop, and get some delicious food. Fresh fruit, even fresher seafood, French cheeses. It may not be the place to shop if you don’t have anywhere at your Rouen accommodation to cook. But it’s worth checking out all the same.
The market is around the back of the Church of Joan of Arc, and is partially covered so a great place to hide if it happens to be raining. Grab some fruit for the road, or on a nice day grab a wedge of brie and some bread from a local bakery and make your own little picnic.
QUAYS ALONG THE RIVER SEINE
Walking trails, public parks, city and water views – the quays along the River Seine are the perfect place to get outdoors and enjoy Rouen on a sunny day. Watch the boats go by and maybe even catch a cruise ship as it passes this historic city.
Personally I just enjoy a nice open space to sit with a book, or take a scenic walk. Both can be done just minutes from Rouen city center. If you get tired, pop into one of the quayside restaurants and enjoy a patio drink on a sunny day, and take a different route back crossing one of the many bridges over the Seine.
ROUEN CITY HALL
Rouen City Hall stands next to Saint-Ouen Abbey just outside of the old town area of the city. The grand palatial building stands behind a statue of Napoleon on horseback. Once home to the monks from the abbey, it has housed the city council for over 200 years.
The Hôtel de Ville is open to the public most days. You can see some of the public areas or enquire about a guided tour to see more of the city hall. Either way, it’s well worth taking a stroll past this majestic building.
ST. MACLOU CATHOLIC CHURCH
I know what you’re thinking – another church? But trust me, this one is worth seeing. For over 500 years this church has been in the center of Rouen. And it’s a marvelous sight to see. This gothic church is in the aptly named flamboyant architecture style. It’s not hard to see why.
The stonework is so intricate that it makes you wonder how some of it could have withstood numerous conflicts in the region. The inside is just as grand. It may not have the most decorative stained glass windows, but they are beautiful all the same.
BONUS ATTRACTION: ROUEN CHRISTMAS MARKET
One of my favorite things in the world – European Christmas markets. Fun, festive markets filled with delicious food and hot drinks and decorated with thousands of lights. Good news: Rouen has one too.
Each November, one of the most popular attractions in Rouen re-opens under the watchful eye of the cathedral. It’s the perfect location for this small but busy market. Visit during the week for less people but even on a weekend it’s nowhere near as packed as nearby Paris. And it’s a heck of a lot cheaper.
So sip a warm glass of vin chaud and do some Christmas shopping in the center of a beautiful medieval city. It doesn’t get much better. 2024 market dates were November 21-January 4, so expect similar dates this year.
Is Rouen, France Worth Visiting?
- A walkable city
- Full of history
- Beautiful old medieval buildings
- Less busy than other French cities
These are just a few reasons why Rouen is absolutely worth visiting. The city is the perfect day trip from Paris, a great introduction to Normandy and northern France, and there are plenty of attractions in Rouen to keep you busy.
Spend a day, or a few days. Enjoy the local food, and learn more about St. Joan of Arc than you ever thought you would.
A trip to Paris can often leave visitors craving a more laid back lifestyle and a lot less people. Rouen is an escape from Paris and some of the more popular spots in France. Though by no means completely off the radar of tourists.
Rouen remains one of my favorite cities in France. It’s a charming city where every side street leads you to new discoveries, cobble-stone streets paving the way. A day trip is a great start, but believe me when I say you might not want to leave.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you visited Rouen before? Which of these attractions in Rouen would get your vote?
