Do you want to stay in Rouen without spending a single euro? I offer you a list of free activities to do alone, as a couple or as a family. Yes! Exploring Rouen for free is possible!
You will discover that the historic capital of the Normandy region is the heir to a long history marked in particular by the heroic figure of Joan of Arc but also shaped by the presence of the Romans and the Vikings.
During your visit to Rouen, you can do many activities to discover the city for free. Just keep your eyes peeled and stay tuned for all the tours and other free tourist attractions.
1/ Visit the free museums in Rouen
- The Museum of Fine Arts in Rouen mbarouen.fr/en
- The Natural History Museum of Rouen museumderouen.fr/en
- The Departmental Museum of Antiquities of Rouen museedesantiquites.fr/en
- The ceramic museum of Rouen museedelaceramique.fr/en
- The Secq des Tournelles museum museelesecqdestournelles.fr/en
- The Knowledge Factory lafabriquedessavoirs.fr/en
- The Pierre Corneille Museum museepierrecorneille.fr/en
- National Museum of Education (Munaé) www.reseau-canope.fr
- The Flaubert and History of Medicine Museum rouen.fr
- The Joan of Arc Tower or Donjon of Joan of Arc www.donjonderouen.com
- The atrium www.atriumnormandie.fr
- The Rouen Normandy Photographic Center centrephotographique.com
To prepare for your visit to the various museums for free, I invite you to consult the website of the Meeting of Metropolitan Museums Rouen Normandy
2/ Discover the free tourist sites in Rouen
Here, I’m not going to list you all the free tourist places in my city, but rather I’d rather offer you a small selection and above all leave you the pleasure of taking a random walk around Rouen to discover some hidden treasures and places for yourself.
City of Art and History, my city of Rouen has kept from its past, and despite the destruction during the Second World War, an exceptional heritage of half-timbered houses, religious buildings and splendid historic buildings.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Rouen
Rouen Cathedral is the emblematic place of the city of a hundred steeples. Whether or not it is your first time in the capital of Normandy, the cathedral is a must. Externally first, you can admire its height (the highest cathedral in France with 151 meters), its width (almost 62 meters). Its facade, in the Gothic style, is architecturally unique in its diversity.
Also take the opportunity to observe the Saint-Romain tower, on your left, and the Beurre tower, on your right.
Inside, its length and vaulted height are impressive. Damaged by the bombings in 1944, the cathedral has remained standing to offer us today, within it, a multitude of stories and unusual anecdotes around Rollo, Joan of Arc and William the Conqueror.
In summer, from June until mid-September, you can see for free the “cathedral of light” event. Every evening, you can admire the sound and light show of Illuminations on the facade of Rouen Cathedral. More information here.
The Big Clock
The Gros-Horloge, another emblematic place in Rouen, is located in the middle of the street of the same name. Astrological clock made in the 14th century, it can be visited thanks to the museum located in the heart of the belfry adjoining the monument.
Saint-Ouen Abbey
The Saint-Ouen abbey is a fine example of the power of the Benedictine monastery. I advise you to go inside the one that is considered the twin of the cathedral because of its large and almost similar dimensions. As a bonus, admire the magnificent organ, installed in 1890 by Cavaillé-Coll.
Rouen City Hall
The building that has housed the Rouen town hall since 1800 is directly linked to the abbey church of Saint-Ouen. Indeed, before 1800, this building was the dormitory of the monks of the Saint-Ouen abbey, territory on which the Saint-Ouen abbey was located.
The Stake of Joan of Arc
What would Rouen be without Joan of Arc?! The maiden of Orleans, born in Domrémy, was burned alive in Rouen on the Place du Vieux-Marché. The few stones at the stake and the sign located a few meters away recall the tragic end of Joan of Arc.
The Parliament of Normandy
The Parliament of Normandy, more commonly known as the Palace of Justice, is a magnificent example that illustrates the economic power of the Norman capital in the 15th century.
Ferdinand Marrou’s house
The leaning house
The leaning house, aka the tower of Pisa in Rouen, is an atypical place in the Antiques district.
The Arts of Fire gallery
The Fire Arts Gallery is located within the Aître Saint-Maclou. Interactive tour, permanent and temporary exhibitions, ceramists’ workshop… multiple options for discovering metal, earth and clay.
3/ Stroll through the streets and historic districts of Rouen
- The street of the Canons
- The Old Rouen and its hundreds of half-timbered houses
- The “Halles aux toiles”
- The Saint-Marc district and its square
- The Virgin lady square and the Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde
- The Old Market Square
- The big clock street
- Saint-Romain Street
- The Eau-de-Robec street (one of the most charming streets in Rouen!)
- The massacre street (very welcoming despite its name)
4/ Going to the churches in Rouen
Joan of Arc Church
The Jeanne d’Arc church, built in 1979 and whose roof is atypical, is a small architectural gem.
The norwegian church
The Saint Godard Church
The Saint-Godard church is a Catholic place of worship located near the Le Secq des Tournelles museum and the Fine Arts museum. Among the admired treasures: Arnoult de Nijmegen’s Tree of Jesse and the stained glass window of the life of Saint Romain.
The Church of Saint Maclou
The Saint-Maclou church is a small jewel of flamboyant Gothic art built between 1437 and 1517. Its name is taken from Malo who was one of the seven founding saints of continental Brittany. The name Malo in the Norman patois turned into Malou.
The Saint Patrick’s Church
The Saint-Patrice church has the architectural particularity of being both flamboyant Gothic and Renaissance. It is particularly known for its stained glass windows from the Renaissance period. It is dedicated to Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland.
The Saint-Vivien Church
The Saint-Vivien church is a Catholic place of worship in the Croix de Pierre neighborhoods. Its uniqueness is that it is the only church in Normandy to bear the name of Saint Vivien.
The Old church of Saint-Pierre-du-Châtel in Rouen
6/ Take a walk in the parks and gardens in Rouen
- Sainte-Catherine hill
- The Garden of plants
- Square Verdrel
- City hall garden
- Gardens of Champ De Mars Boulevard Gambetta, 76000 Rouen
- Roumare Forest
7/ Stroll through the cemeteries
Funny idea you say and yet! Rouen has unusual cemeteries that are worth a detour.
The aster Saint-Maclou
The Monumental Cemetery
Saint-Sever cemetery
8/ Admire the works of street-art in Rouen
9/ Go to the free district in Rouen, left bank
The Quartier Libre de Rouen located on the left bank, as mentioned on its website, opened in 2022 taking over from the Friche Lucien. It is a multiple place which today hosts 5 bars, 1 restaurant, 2 street food counters and 10 shops.
You can walk on a space of 8000m2 arranged.
10/ Stroll along the quays of the Seine in Rouen
Take advantage of your walk on the quays of the Seine to admire the 6 bridges of Rouen. Discover the history of the Flaubert Bridge.
11/ Taste the tears of Joan of Arc
stay on the lookout for new addresses that are opening
12/ Browse Rouen markets
Emmurées square
Saint-Marc square
Les hallettes
Les Halles Agrivin
13/ Take part in the free festivities in Rouen
The new Joan of Arc festivals, the belly festival, https://www.metropole-rouen-normandie.fr/les-indicators-touristiques
14/ The Rouen armada
15/ Take the metro for free in Rouen
Visit the city with an audioguide: https://www.ffagh.org/tourisme/ville-90.html
16/ Play sports for free in Rouen
Rouen’ing – Urban training / Roller hockey Return match of the 1/2 final of the French N1 championship
17/ Recharge your electric car for free
18/ Park your car for free in Rouen
https://www.metropole-rouen-normandie.fr/promotion-du-vehicule-electrique
19/ Drink water for free
Drinking water for free in Rouen is possible. First, you can find, across the city, some fountains whose water is drinkable. Then, it is possible to get a glass of water in a restaurant or a cafe but the manager is not obliged to grant it to you.
Finally, the metropolis of Rouen has launched the Here fill your Gourde operation for accessibility to drinking water and the fight against plastic pollution. A fight against plastic pollution which is also illustrated during the Rouen Armada 2023
where to drink water for free?
20/ Connect to wifi for free
Where to find free WiFi in Rouen? This is a question that may seem outdated today where almost all of us have an internet package on our phones. However, it can be useful in some cases.
Below, you will find the list of public wifi accessible for free in Rouen. As a reminder, each session can be limited in terms of duration (from 1h00 to 2h00 in general). Some wifi connections require the prior use of an e-mail or even the creation of a user account.
- H&M 2, Rue des Carmes
- Métropole Wifi Rouen forecourt of the cathedral
- U express supermarket 11 Place du General de Gaulle
- The Town Hall on General de Gaulle Square
- Train station Bernard Tissot square
- McDonald’s big clock street
- Quick big clock street
- Flunch Carmes street
- Rouen Opera Docteur Robert Rambert street, 7
- The Saint Sever mall Brittany Avenue
- Les Docks shopping center 76, Ferdinand de Lesseps boulevard, 1
- In Rouen libraries