Guide to Rouen

Rouen is one of France’s most delightful cities, with its half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and Gothic spires, and history around every corner.

Rouen, France - the historic capital of Normandy

Rouen is the capital of the Normandy region. It has been devastated by fires, ravaged by plagues and torn apart by wars, yet always to be rebuilt. Rouen remains the jewel in Normandy’s crown.

Step back in time as you wander the medieval streets, visit the site where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake and marvel at its magnificent Gothic cathedral, made iconic by Claude Monet.  Set amidst the many spires piercing the skyline, it’s not hard to see why Rouen is known as the ‘town of 100 church towers’.

Where is Rouen?

Rouen is situated around 80 miles northwest of Paris, in a prime spot in the lower Seine valley. A port city on the river, Rouen’s strategic importance has been both its making and its downfall. It grew rich on the textile and wool trade but has been the scene of battles, sieges and bombings throughout its history.   

Rouen is in Normandy. The city is around 2 hours from Paris and just over 2 hours from our Calais terminal.

Driving to Rouen from Calais

Rouen is a drive of around two and a quarter hours from our terminal in Calais on the A16 and A28 roads (with tolls).

The best things to do in Rouen

There is something for everyone in Rouen. Galleries and museums abound for the culture buffs, and stunning countryside with cycle paths and hiking trails to appeal to those who prefer the outdoors. Visit the shops and specialist boutiques for exquisite examples of local craftsmanship, before sampling the delicious regional fare in one of the local restaurants.

Musée des Beaux-Arts

Rouen wouldn’t be the ‘Home of Impressionism’ without its fair share of art galleries. Built in 1870, the grand Musée des Beaux-Arts houses what is considered to be one of the greatest public art collections of France outside Paris. It features masterpieces by some of the world’s most famous painters; the likes of Renoir, Caravaggio, Modigliani, Rubens, Velázquez and, of course, Monet adorn its walls.

The gallery is open from 10am to 6pm every day except Tuesday, and entry to the permanent collections is free.

Place du Vieux Marché

Joan of Arc was just 19 years old when she was burned alive on a site in the Place du Vieux Marché in 1431. There is a cross marking the exact spot where it happened, which can be found outside the church dedicated to her, the Église Jeanne d’Arc. The remains of the Saint-Sauveur church can also be seen in this, the old market square in the city.

Today Place du Vieux Marché is the square to grab a coffee, some lunch or a refreshing beer at any one of its numerous bars, restaurants and cafés.

Palais de Justice

Whilst in Rouen, be sure to pay a visit to the Palais de Justice, a fine example of early 16^th-century Gothic architecture. The law courts were reduced to little more than a shell by bombs during the Second World War, and you can still see the pock-marked façade of the building.

It has since been restored to its former glory, with ornate spires, gargoyles and decorative statues. There are tours of the building several times a month and court sessions are usually open to the public for those with an interest in French law.

Gros Horloge

As you stroll down the Rue du Gros Horloge, you can’t miss the ornate astronomical one-handed clock that gives this street its name. There are actually two clock faces, one on each side of the 16^th-century arch, which have been keeping time for centuries.

The clock was made in 1389 and originally housed in the adjoining belfry. There is incredible detail and decoration on each of the clock faces, including the phases of the moon, a golden sheep at the end of the clock hand (a nod to the city’s wool trade) and an opening at the base where the days of the week are represented by allegoric characters.

The Gros Horloge is open to the public. Visitors can see the clock mechanism and climb to the top of the belfry, with its panoramic views of the city.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen

Rouen’s soaring Gothic cathedral inspired Monet to paint a series of 30 canvases of the building experimenting with different lights, and it isn’t hard to see why. Construction of the current building began in the 12th century and was fraught with trials and setbacks, including fires and lightning strikes. It now stands proudly in the heart of the city with its shining white façade and famous Tour de Beurre, which translates as ‘Butter Tower’ – so named because locals funded it in thanks for being allowed to eat butter during Lent.

The cathedral is open every day and is free of charge.

St Joan of Arc's Church

Rising over the Place du Vieux Marché is Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc, the unmistakable modern church that was built in 1979 to mark the site where Joan was martyred. It is shaped like a longboat and its curves are intended to evoke the flames that consumed her. Inside it houses the Renaissance stained glass windows of a church that had been bombed during World War II. Next to the church is the Joan of Arc National Memorial.

Rouen Botanical Garden

To the south of the city, you will find Jardin des Plantes de Rouen, a botanical garden that dates back to the 18^th century. It features an orangery, greenhouse, tropical greenhouses and a boating lake, and is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll. Home to a stunning diversity of plants and birds (991 different types of fuchsia, it is said), the gardens also contain numerous statues, rock gardens, a rose garden and a runic stone.

Pavillon Flaubert

The novelist Gustave Flaubert was born in Rouen and returned to live close to the city in the village of Croisset in the 1850s. All that remains of that house is the garden pavilion overlooking the Seine, now looking rather out of place beside the busy road and railway line. The pavilion is a museum displaying personal items, writing equipment, portraits and contemporary pictures of Croisset. It is free to visit and about a 15 minute drive from the centre of Rouen.

Essential Rouen travel guide tips

Plan your trip to Rouen with top tips on travel, accommodation, and dining.

Driving to Rouen from Calais

Rouen is just over two hours from our terminal in Calais on the A16 and A28. With such a short journey ahead, you might decide to take a few detours en route.  The fishing port, Boulogne-sur-Mer, is just 30 minutes from Calais and is a great way to break up your journey.  Another 20 minutes down the A16 will take you past the seaside resort, Le Touquet. Go slightly off route and stay on the A16 for a little longer to pass Amiens – the city of canals and cathedrals.

If you are travelling from Paris, take the A13, the D6014 or the A14 to reach Rouen.

Best time to visit Rouen

Rouen is at its best between May and September. Along with the warmer weather, the summer months bring more events, festivals and a buzz of activity. Visitors who enjoy a quieter experience may find spring and early autumn more peaceful when the city is a little less crowded but the weather is still pleasant.

Where to stay in Rouen

From budget stays to boutique hotels, Rouen has you covered. Stay in the Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert to start each day in the historic city centre. The hotel is named in honour of the writer and you’ll find tributes to his work throughout your stay. For a luxury experience, Hotel de Bourgtheroulde is not only within easy walking distance of the city’s most popular attractions but is also home to a sumptuous spa – equipped with Normandy’s largest indoor swimming pool, as well as a gym and treatment rooms. 

Stay in touch with nature at Camping du Lac. Around 40 minutes from the city, the camping site is perfect for anyone driving a caravan, campervan or motorhome.

Where to eat in Rouen

Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a Michelin-star banquet, you’ll find plenty of mouth-watering options in the historic city. Find speciality coffees and pastries at Coffee Prelude – which sits beside the Place du Vieux Marché. Or head to Tandem in the city centre for French flavours and gourmet cuisine. Just 5 minutes from the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Au Flaméron is known for using local and seasonal produce to fuse French and Japanese cuisine and is well worth a visit.

Visit Rouen with LeShuttle

Rouen is so close to our Calais terminal that it should be on the top of your list of things to do in Normandy. LeShuttle will take you across the Channel in only 35 minutes, and Rouen is just over two hours away by road.