Visit Rouen in 1 hour, is it possible?

Recently updated on July 6th, 2024 at 08:08 pm

Rouen is a medieval city endowed with a very rich architectural heritage that it is not possible to discover in just one hour. Nevertheless, if you only have 60 minutes to explore the capital of Normandy, I will not tell you what to visit in my city but I will list you places that you can see for yourself.

To optimize your presence in Rouen, you can consult either the 25 must-see places with a brief summary of each place or choose from the list below.

For lovers of history and architecture

The Notre-Dame cathedral

Nicknamed the cathedral of 7 torpedoes, the highest cathedral in France (151 meters high!) is a place full of stories and anecdotes. Whether through its Gothic style, the paintings of Claude Monet at the end of the 19th century or the heart of Rollo, the famous Viking leader, you have the choice to discover some of the secrets of this building.

Located in the heart of the city, the cathedral is easily accessible on foot. Start your walk in the forecourt to admire the details of the facade and spot Monet’s painting studio located on the first floor of the building opposite the cathedral. Then, go inside to observe the height of the vault and the play of light with the stained glass windows. Outside, take a full tour through Place de la Calende, walk along the archdiocese, Rouen cathedral is the only one in France to still have its archiepiscopal palace, and return via Saint-Romain street to take a photo of the Booksellers’ Portal.

The Parliament of Normandy

Commonly called “Palais de Justice” (Law court in English) by the people of Rouen, this parliament was recognized as a sovereign court in 1499 and is still today a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
I invite you to take a tour of this building via rue aux Juifs and rue Saint-Lô. If you are observant and fan of Lego, you will see the work of art by street artist Jan Verman on one of the facades.

For those who want to wander around the city

The antique district

Walk at random and get lost in this district whose most emblematic street is rue Damiette. The uncertain origin of the name of rue Damiette should not prevent you from appreciating the picturesque setting of this district with its half-timbered houses and narrow streets. Stop in front of the Saint-Maclou church and its rounded facade before discovering, a few steps away, one of the last gallery cemeteries in Europe: the Saint-Maclou aster.

The Old Market Square

This historic square in Rouen is full of stories. You will find there the Joan of Arc church and the little secrets of its stained glass windows, the stake of the Maid of Orleans and beautiful examples of facades. If you are a little hungry, the restaurants: the Boma and the 6th sense are among the good restaurants in Rouen and the bakery “My bakery” (Ma boulangerie in French) by Christophe Cressent, best worker in France, is a safe bet.

For those who want a gourmet break

Depending on the district of Rouen in which you are, several savory and sweet options are available to you.

In the Old Market district

On the savory side, in addition to the Boma and the 6th sense mentioned above, Gill on the Bistrot side is a more than pleasant alternative for your taste buds. On the sweet side, in addition to “My bakery”, you can try the gourmet cookies from the Bastien bakery.

In the antique district

Tandem, in Damiette street, is my favorite but rue Martainville, some restaurants like the Petite Auberge (The little Inn) or les fils à Maman are very good culinary options. On the sweet side, two addresses come to mind: the Saint-Maclou pastry shop, next to the church of the same name, which sells traditional French pastries and, a little far away at the entrance to the Saint-Maclou aster, the Gill’s pastries (les pâtisseries de Gill in French) for quality trompe-l’oeil pastries.

For street-art aficionados

If the following names speak to you then you will appreciate the works of these artists: Inkoj, Jan Vormann and Jef Aérosol. Joan of Arc street will be your starting point for this artistic walk. At the intersection with Guillaume le Conquérant street, on the ground, you can admire the first of two works of art by the Rouen artist Inkoj.

The second is located at the crossroads of Joan of Arc street and Big clock street. In the meantime, come and see the creation of Jan Verman, Franco-German artist, on one of the facades of the Parliament of Normandy.

Finally, a few meters away, in Massacre street, Jef Aérosol pays homage to the mythical rock group the Dogs with his mural. You will see a large portrait of rocker Dominique Laboubée.

For those who want to combine a professional meeting and a restaurant

If you want to “impress” your interlocutor for a quick interview, the Métropole café located a few steps from the train station, will allow you to drink a coffee like Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre did in their time.

If you plan to spend some time around a delicious dish, the brand new gourmet restaurant Tempo could satisfy your culinary tastes. For an Asian touch, Ho Lamian, located in the charming Eau-de-Robec street is a good quality-price option.