Depending on the length of your stay in Rouen, I offer you a list of essential places to discover in my city. I might as well tell you right away, if you stay very short, you won’t be able to do everything and you will have to be very selective about Rouen’s heritage. On the other hand, if your Rouen escapade lasts several hours or even several days, there you can enjoy the architectural treasures of the city of a hundred steeples.
Visit Rouen on foot in one hour
Let it be said right away, Rouen in one hour is impossible! In addition, you will have to take into account your point of departure or arrival (are you at Rouen station? in the city center? left bank?).
Nevertheless, in order not to miss the unmissable sites of the Capital of Normandy, below is a list from which you can pick one or two places:
- Notre-Dame cathedral
- The Gros-Horloge and its pedestrian street
- The Antiques Quarter
- The abbey of Saint-Ouen and the gardens of the Hôtel de Ville
- The Parliament of Normandy or Palace of Justice
- Place du Vieux-marché and the stake of Joan of Arc
- The aster Saint-Maclou and the church of the same name next door
Visit Rouen on foot in three hours
180 minutes, is that the number of minutes you have to explore the city of art and testing? Below, I propose combinations of tourist places and museums to discover Rouen:
Notre Dame Cathedral (1 hour inside and outside) + Joan of Arc Historial (at least 1 hour 20 minutes)
House of Ferdinand Marrou + Escape game Dungeon of Rouen (1h00) + Hidden tower of Joan of Arc
Saint-Romain church + station Right bank and its eclectic architecture sometimes called late Art Nouveau https://www.visiterouen.com/patrimoines/art/architecture-de-rouen/le-cote-baroque-et-classique/larchitecture-art -deco/ + the Post Office building at the top of rue Jeanne d’Arc + the magnificent building called “Le Métropole” + metropolis café
Courthouse + The sublime house (1h) + Portal of the Saint-Lô priory + gourmet break at Letournel
Visit Rouen on foot in one day
24 hours to stroll in Rouen will allow you to discover part of Rouen’s heritage charm. Below, some ideas for walks and restaurants:
Museum of Fine Arts (2h) see also the Top 5 free museums
Place du Vieux-marché + Joan of Arc church + Joan of Arc’s bonfire + Gill on the bistro side
Saint-Maclou church + Saint-Maclou aître + Place Saint-Marc and its market (Sunday morning) + My bakery
Visit Rouen on foot in two days
Notre Dame Cathedral in Rouen
By far the most prestigious monument in the city, Notre-Dame Cathedral is an architectural ensemble whose first stones date back to the very beginning of the Middle Ages. Its realization required more than 800 years of work (1030-1876), the building knew an important revival following many damages caused initially by the fire of 1940 then by the bombings of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War.
The Parliament of Normandy
This very beautiful flamboyant Gothic architectural achievement, as if wrapped in lace, is also called by the people of Rouen “courthouse”. Founded on the remains of an old Jewish quarter of the city, this masterpiece had its first origins in 1499 when its west wing was built to receive the Exchequer of Normandy, this high body of justice composed of all the notables of the province.
The Big Clock
When you enter rue du Gros-Horloge, you cannot miss this emblematic Rouen monument. Both unmissable and symbolic, the Gros-Horloge is more than attached to the medieval past of the historic capital of Normandy. Juxtaposed to the facade of this tower which is called the belfry and which dates from the 14th century, housing the municipal bells, the clockwork mechanism is one of the oldest in France with a movement manufactured in 1389. Even if the operation is not t is more mechanized as originally, the different faces of the monument above the arch are masterful works in their own right.
Bourgtheroulde hotel
Embellishing the pretty Place de la Pucelle, the Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde is known to be an architectural nugget of Rouen. Built at the same time as the Parliament of Normandy, it is thanks to a French magistrate and lord, Monsieur Bourgheroulde, that this magnificent building rose into the air. Built at the end of the 16th century, this former private mansion which has braved the years and the vagaries of history, still bears witness to its unique grace, a mixture of Gothic and Italian Renaissance.
The Dungeon of Joan of Arc
Not to be confused with the Joan of Arc tower in which the Maid of Orleans was locked up in 1430, this dungeon is the only remaining vestige of the Château de Rouen built around the 13th century by King Philippe Auguste, one of the most admired and studied monarchs of medieval France.
Ferdinand Marrou’s house
Just next to the Rouen right bank station, this unusual house from 1890 illustrates all the know-how of a master of ironwork: Ferdinand Marrou. A marvel of sculpted wood and wrought iron, this residence belonged to Ferdinand Marrou.
Saint-Ouen Abbey
Often mistaken for the cathedral of Rouen because of its imposing dimensions: 130 meters in length under 33 meters of vault, the abbey church of Saint-Ouen was founded around the year 750 in place of a large Romanesque church destroyed by a fire. Although its construction was spread over more than two centuries (13th-14th century), the building presents a remarkable radiant Gothic unity that the successive builders were able to perpetuate while remaining faithful to the original project.
The aster Saint-Maclou
The second most visited monument in Rouen behind Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Aître Saint-Maclou, a former mass grave, offers you a surprising stopover in the restored heritage of the city (2019). In the 14th century, the population very heavily impacted by the Black Death and the growing number of deceased necessitated the creation of a new cemetery called aître in medieval times.
The quays of the Seine
In addition to a walk on the quays, to the Flaubert bridge or the Grolet peninsula for a picnic, a visit to the Rouen Maritime River and Port Museum. This museum, located in a former hangar assigned to the storage of wine and citrus fruits from North Africa, is not the best known of Rouen museums. However, this maritime and fluvial museum retraces the past of the port of Rouen and focuses on this emblematic river, the Seine.
Visit Rouen on foot in three days
street art
If you have already visited the emblematic places of Rouen, it is time for you to enjoy the flourishing street-art in Rouen. In addition to the works of Inkoj that you can see on the ground of rue Jeanne d’Arc, the right bank offers beautiful mural works including: Arko and Kase, Ecloz, Method Graphic, Jef Aérosol…
Organize your own route using the interactive map provided by the Rouen town hall: https://rouen.fr/streetart
Panorama of the Sainte-Catherine coast
Sporty friends or lovers of magnificent panoramas, the Côte Sainte-Catherine is made for you. This natural balcony offers a sublime view of the city of a hundred steeples. You can admire the meanders of the Seine and the two banks of the city. Whether at dawn or dusk, the play of light over the city is unique.
Rue Eau-de-Robec
Without a doubt, the most charming street in the city. Its name comes from the stream that runs along it. Strolling in this street is THE thing to do to admire the attics, the half-timbered houses but also to choose your restaurant of the day. If you are looking for a coffee break, Couleur Café is recommended.
Garden of plants
If you are looking for a fun stroll in a green setting: I recommend the Jardin des Plantes.
Located on the left bank in Rouen, this garden covers an area of 10 hectares.
This garden is an ideal place for a family walk. In addition, it is characterized by a scientific vocation for the conservation of plant species from the five continents.
The central greenhouse shelters plants from arid environments, Mediterranean utility plants and even carnivorous plants. In the aviaries, it is possible to see parakeets, parrots, Chinese quail and other birds.