Rouen

Medieval Marvels on the Seine

Rouen stands as a key city in northern France, known for its medieval architecture and historic significance. The city features half-timbered houses lining narrow streets that lead to the Seine River. Its cathedral dominates the skyline with tall spires and detailed stonework. During World War II, Rouen experienced heavy bombing, leaving parts of the old town rebuilt after the war. Today visitors can explore museums, local markets and nearby countryside trails while learning about both its cultural heritage and modern life in France.

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City in France

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	9
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, museums, and main restaurants. In smaller shops or markets, basic French is helpful, but locals are generally friendly and will try to assist.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Rouen Summary

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Strong in Gothic architecture and history. Visit grand cathedrals, explore medieval streets, learn about Joan of Arc history and enjoy traditional Normandy cuisine.

Place score

7.3

Best at:

Walkable

Cosy towns

Rivers

Spotless

Local cuisine

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

❤️ 8

Couples

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Rouen, France

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Mar

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May

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Jun

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Oct

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High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	7 (Many tourists)

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Climate details

Christmas market runs late November to 24 December

August: some restaurants and small shops close for holidays

Don't miss

⛪ Admire the gothic grandeur of Rouen Cathedral
🕰️ Explore the medieval Gros Horloge clock tower
🔥 Visit Place du Vieux-Marché, Joan of Arc’s execution site
🎨 Discover contemporary art at Musée des Beaux-Arts
🏘️ Stroll old town’s timber-framed streets and alleys
✨ Experience the Cathedral light and sound show

You've been here?

Why travel to Rouen?

Rouen is a dream for lovers of history, architecture and art. The city’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, famously painted by Monet, is France’s tallest and a masterpiece of Gothic design. Wander the medieval lanes, discover the astronomical clock and visit the spot where Joan of Arc was martyred. Museums, bustling markets and a lively café scene add to the charm. In summer, the Cathedral’s light show is a magical highlight. Rouen is compact and walkable, but its popularity means some sites can get busy, especially in peak season. The weather is famously changeable – bring a raincoat! Some WWII scars remain visible, adding depth to its rich story. Still, Rouen’s blend of beauty and authenticity is hard to resist.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Palais de Justice
2 Joan of Arc Historical Exhibition
3 Musée des Beaux-Arts
4 Église Saint-Maclou
5 Gros-Horloge
6 Tour Jeanne d'Arc
7 Plague cemetery
8 Rue Eau de Robec
9 Cathédrale Notre-Dame

🎡Places for activities

1 Musée Le Secq des Tournelles
2 Jardin des plantes
3 Foire Saint-Romain

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Jardin des Plantes
2 Place du Vieux Marché
3 Parc Grammont
4 Panorama Rouen Est
5 Jardin de l’Hôtel de Ville
6 Bois des Compagnons
7 Île Lacroix
8 Square Verdrel

🎈Events

Cathedral Light Show (summer)
Joan of Arc Festival (May)
Rouen Armada (every 4-5 years)
Christmas Market
Fête du Ventre (food festival)
Normandy Impressionist Festival
Saint-Romain Fair
Jazz à Rouen Festival
Heritage Days (Journées du Patrimoine)
Spring Plant Fair

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Stay in the historic center; most highlights are walkable.
Visit Rouen Cathedral and its façade; summer evenings often feature a light show.
Climb the Gros Horloge tower for medieval views, then enjoy cafés along the pedestrian street.
See Place du Vieux-Marché early; it’s Joan of Arc’s execution site and quieter mornings feel powerful.

How to travel to Rouen

Rouen is just 1.5 hours by train from Paris Saint-Lazare, with frequent daily departures. The city is also accessible by car via the A13 motorway or by long-distance bus. The nearest major airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle; from there, connect by train or bus. River cruises sometimes stop in Rouen as part of Seine itineraries.

Access summary

From Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG): Train via Paris, about 2–2.5 hours.
From Paris center: Direct train from Gare Saint‑Lazare, roughly 1–1.5 hours.
From Beauvais Airport (BVA): Bus/train via Paris or Rouen, usually 2–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Rouen

Rouen offers everything from boutique hotels in medieval buildings to modern chains and cozy guesthouses. Staying in the old town puts you steps from the main sights and the best atmosphere. Book ahead for summer weekends and festivals.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Rouen Centre

9.3

Hotel Mercure Rouen Centre Cathedrale

9.1

Ibis Rouen Centre Rive Gauche Mermoz

8.5

Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection

8.7

Novotel Suites Rouen Normandie

8.8

B&B HOTEL Rouen Centre

7.8

Holiday Inn Express Rouen Centre - Rive Gauche By IHG

8.7

Kyriad Rouen Sud - Val De Reuil

8.2

Campanile NATURE - Rouen Nord Mont Saint Aignan

8.5

Ibis Styles Rouen Centre Cathedrale

8.1

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How to get around Rouen

Rouen’s historic center is best explored on foot – most attractions are within walking distance. The city has an efficient bus and tram network for longer trips or reaching suburbs. Bike rentals and river cruises offer scenic alternatives. Driving and parking can be tricky in the old town, so public transport is often easier.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-6 %

Daily expenses in Rouen are around 6% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-3 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to EUR) is 3% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£59	£126	£343
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£26	£53	£113
🍝 Food per day	£26	£64	£200
🚕 Transportation per day	£7	£9	£30

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£25
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£10.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£8
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.60
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£1.60
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£18
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.50

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£21
🤧 Cold medication	£4.30
💇 Basic haircut	£16

Safety information overview

General safety

Rouen is generally safe, with low violent crime. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas or during festivals. The city is well-lit and feels secure even at night, but usual precautions apply.

Health & Medical

Medical care is excellent, with modern hospitals and pharmacies throughout the city. No special vaccinations are needed. Pharmacies are easy to find and tap water is safe to drink.

Accessibility

Many main attractions are accessible, but some medieval streets are cobbled and uneven. Most museums and public transport are adapted for reduced mobility, but check ahead for historic sites.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and good quality throughout the city. Public fountains are available in parks and squares. Carry a refillable bottle, especially when walking the city.