Bina Baitel Exhibition
Discover the innovative works and visionary design of artist Bina Baitel in this exclusive contemporary art exhibition.
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Barentin
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ℹ️Practical info — Barentin
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Explore the town on foot to spot the many outdoor statues that give Barentin its nickname.
- The best spot to photograph the monumental railway viaduct is from down in the valley near the river.
- The large shopping center on the edge of town has ample parking but gets extremely busy on Saturdays.
- In the town center, look for parking on the side streets away from the main thoroughfare.
🍽 Food
🍽
Artisan Pastries
Pick up fresh baguettes and local pastries at the bakeries near the town hall.
🍽
Steak Frites
Enjoy this classic French dish at the brasseries along the main street.
🍽
Norman Cheese Platter
Order a local cheese selection at the traditional restaurants near the viaduct.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Retail Park
The massive commercial zone on the outskirts has everything from fashion to large supermarkets.
🛍
Local Market
The town center market is the best place for fresh local produce and cheese.
🧘
Austreberthe Valley
The green spaces along the Austreberthe river provide a peaceful escape from the traffic.
🧘
Barentin Park
A quiet tree-lined park in the center, great for resting among the town's famous statues.
Water temperature…
Tucked in a green valley just a short distance from Rouen, Barentin is best known throughout Normandy for its colossal railway viaduct and its unique dedication to public art. The massive brick viaduct, designed by British engineer Joseph Locke in the mid-19th century, dominates the town's skyline with 27 towering arches reaching heights of nearly 30 meters. Barentin also proudly calls itself a “museum in the street”. Visitors exploring the town's squares and walkways will encounter an open-air collection of over 160 statues and sculptures crafted by various artists, giving the local streets a distinct artistic flair. The town's historical roots are deeply tied to the regional textile industry, and the remnants of former mills and factories can still be seen lining the banks of the Austreberthe river. Offering a blend of monumental industrial architecture, surprising street art, and a quiet Norman atmosphere, Barentin is an intriguing stop for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path cultural heritage.
- Location: Normandie, France
- Top sights: Barentin Viaduct · Saint-Martin Church · Chapelle Saint-Hélier
- Nearby: Malaunay (7 km)
- Population: ~12.398
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 67 | 58 | 58 | 44 | 62 | 56 | 60 | 66 | 48 | 73 | 77 | 83 |
Geography
Facts
- The Barentin Viaduct is 480 meters long.
- An estimated 12 million bricks were used to construct the viaduct.
- A statue by Paul Belmondo is included in the town's collection.
- Barentin is located about 17 kilometers northwest of Rouen.
- The viaduct collapsed in 1846 shortly before opening and was immediately rebuilt.
- The municipality covers a total area of 12.74 km².
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Barentin (6)
Frequently asked questions
Why is Barentin called the 'City of 100 Statues'?
The city hosts an open-air museum with over 160 sculptures by famous artists scattered throughout the streets.
Is the railway viaduct accessible?
No, it is an active railway line, but you have a spectacular view of it from the city center.
Where can most of the statues be found?
They are most densely concentrated around the town hall and in the 'Parc de l'Hôtel de Ville'.
Is Barentin a good place for shopping?
Yes, it has one of the largest commercial zones in the region on the outskirts of the city.
How to get there from Rouen?
By train, the journey from Rouen-Rive-Droite station takes only about 15 minutes.
Barentin: where is it located?
Barentin is located in Normandie, France.
Barentin: what is there to see?
Highlights include Barentin Viaduct, Saint-Martin Church, Chapelle Saint-Hélier.
Barentin: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Barentin: why is it worth visiting?
Tucked in a green valley just a short distance from Rouen, Barentin is best known throughout Normandy for its colossal railway viaduct and its unique dedication to public art.
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