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Rouen

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City
—°101619
Rouen (France)
ℹ️

Practical info — Rouen

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Rouen Cathedral facade during the golden hour to see the changing sunlight that inspired Claude Monet's famous paintings.
  • For unobstructed photos of the Gros-Horloge astronomical clock, arrive early in the morning before the pedestrian street fills up.
  • The historic center is predominantly pedestrianized; it is best to leave your car in an underground garage like Parking Pucelle.
  • Don't miss the modern Church of St. Joan of Arc at Place du Vieux-Marché, designed to resemble an upside-down boat at the site of her martyrdom.
  • If visiting in summer, arrive 20 minutes early to secure a good spot for the free evening light show projected onto the cathedral.

🍽 Food

🍽
Canard à la Rouennaise

Try this very traditional, rich duck dish served in upscale brasseries around the Place du Vieux-Marché.

🍽
Larmes de Jeanne d'Arc

Taste these local roasted almonds coated in chocolate and caramel, available in fine chocolate shops around the Gros-Horloge.

🍽
Norman Cider and Camembert

Head to a traditional crêperie in the antique district to enjoy local cider paired with melted Camembert galettes.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Rue Saint-Romain

Stroll down this photogenic street for artisan boutiques, local pottery, and half-timbered architecture.

🛍
Place Saint-Marc Market

Visit this lively outdoor market on weekends to buy fresh Normandy cheeses, apples, and local antiques.

🛍
Antiquities in Quartier des Antiquaires

Explore the Rue Damiette area to browse high-quality antiques and vintage French furniture.

🧘
Jardin des Plantes

Take a peaceful walk in this large botanical garden south of the river, far from the tourist crowds.

🧘
Abbatiale Saint-Ouen

This remarkable, massive abbey church is often much quieter and less crowded than the main cathedral.

Highlights of 2026

10

Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, is situated on the banks of the Seine and is regarded as one of France's most significant cities of art and history. The city is world-renowned for its magnificent Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, whose facade was famously immortalized by Claude Monet in a series of paintings. The medieval city center is home to well-preserved half-timbered houses and the 14th-century Gros-Horloge astronomical clock, which houses one of the oldest clock mechanisms in Europe. Historically, Rouen is inseparable from the fate of Joan of Arc, who was executed here at the Place du Vieux-Marché in 1431. Today, the city blends its rich cultural heritage with a dynamic economy, supported by one of the largest river ports in the country. The narrow cobblestone streets and numerous museums make Rouen an open-air museum that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Serving as a crucial transport link between Paris and the Atlantic coast, the city remains a vital hub for regional infrastructure and culture.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C4461013161818151274
Rain mm675858446256606648737783

Live webcam – Rouen

See what it looks like near Rouen right now.

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Geography

Population
116,331
Coordinates
49.44320, 1.09930

Facts

  • Capital of the Normandy region
  • Notre-Dame Cathedral is 151m tall
  • Joan of Arc was executed here in 1431
  • The Gros-Horloge dates back to 1389
  • France's largest river port for grain
  • Population of about 110,000 in the city center

Explore nearby

Notable places around

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Sights in the town Rouen (16)

Rouen Cathedral⛪ religious

A memorable Gothic masterpiece famous for its facade painted by Claude Monet and for housing the heart of Richard the Lionheart.

The Gros-Horloge🏺 historical

A 14th-century astronomical clock mounted in a Renaissance arch, one of the oldest and most iconic mechanisms in France.

Place du Vieux-Marché🏺 historical

The historic market square where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431, now featuring a modern church dedicated to her memory.

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen🏛 museum

One of France's most important regional museums, boasting an extensive collection of Impressionist works and old masters.

Abbey of Saint-Ouen

A monumental Gothic church known for its vast dimensions, beautiful stained glass, and famous Cavaillé-Coll pipe organ.

Palais de Justice🏙 civic

The former seat of the Parliament of Normandy, this building is a grand example of late Gothic flamboyant architecture.

Église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc⛪ religious

Modern church with sweeping lines, built in 1979 on the exact site where Joan of Arc was executed.

Musée Le Secq des Tournelles🏛 museum

Unique collection of wrought iron art spanning several centuries, housed in a former church building.

Historial Jeanne d'Arc🏛 museum

Innovative interactive museum in the episcopal palace, dedicated to the fate of the French national heroine.

Jardin des Plantes de Rouen🌿 nature

Ten-hectare botanical garden featuring significant greenhouses and a national camellia collection.

Donjon de Rouen🏺 historical

Also known as the Joan of Arc Tower; the last remaining vestige of Philip Augustus's 13th-century castle.

Église Saint-Maclou⛪ religious

A masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture, famous for its five-sided facade and carved Renaissance doors.

Pont Gustave-Flaubert🏙 civic

The tallest vertical-lift bridge in Europe and a modern landmark of Rouen, allowing ships to pass on the Seine.

Panorama de la Côte Sainte-Catherine🌿 nature

A hill on the outskirts offering the most iconic panoramic view of Rouen, its cathedral, and the Seine.

Theatre des Arts🎭 culture

An important performing arts venue in Rouen, hosting opera and theater performances.

Chapelle Saint-Louis🎭 culture

A former chapel in Rouen that has been converted into a theater and performance space.

Frequently asked questions

Where was Joan of Arc executed?
At the Place du Vieux-Marché, where a modern church now commemorates her.
What is the most famous street in Rouen?
Rue du Gros-Horloge, featuring its famous 14th-century astronomical clock.
Can you visit Rouen as a day trip from Paris?
Yes, by train from Saint-Lazare station, the journey takes only about 1.5 hours.
What did Monet paint in Rouen?
He created a famous series of over 30 paintings of the Rouen Cathedral facade.
Are there evening events in summer?
Yes, every evening there is a spectacular light and sound show at the cathedral.
Rouen: where is it located?
Rouen is located in Normandie, France.
Rouen: what is there to see?
Highlights include Rouen Cathedral, The Gros-Horloge, Place du Vieux-Marché.
Rouen: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Rouen: why is it worth visiting?
Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, is situated on the banks of the Seine and is regarded as one of France's most significant cities of art and history.
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