Before you go

Your trip to Rouen.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Rouen – Normandia Destination Normandy and Mont-Saint-Michel Capital

How to get there

Aéroport Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) Roissy-en-France · 130 km
Gare de Rouen-Rive-Droite 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

By train, from Paris-Saint-Lazare station, about an hour and a half to Gare de Rouen-Rive-Droite, which is roughly a 15-minute walk from the cathedral. Travelers arriving at Aeroporto Paris-Charles de Gaulle can go by train via Paris. Check before you buy.

How many days

A full day covers the cathedral, the Gros-Horloge, the Place du Vieux-Marché, the Historial and the Aître Saint-Maclou. With two days you'll have time to visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts at a relaxed pace or to drive on to Honfleur and Étretat.

When to go

From May to September days are long and temperatures are mild. It can rain any month, so bring an umbrella. In the European winter (December to February) it's cold and gets dark early, but museums and churches are open year‑round.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

No. The historic centre is compact and walkable from the station. A car only helps if you want to continue to the coast (Étretat, Honfleur) the same day.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Rouen

Morning
Cathedral and Historial Jeanne d'Arc
Start with the Catedral de Notre-Dame, whose façade was painted by Monet and whose spire reaches 151 metres. Then visit the Historial Jeanne d'Arc, in the former archbishops' palace next door.
Afternoon
Aître Saint-Maclou and Gros-Horloge
Have lunch in the centre and walk to the Aître Saint-Maclou, passing the church of Saint-Maclou and the half‑timbered houses on rue Martainville. Return via rue du Gros-Horloge and climb the clock bell tower.
Late afternoon
Place du Vieux-Marché
Walk to the square where Joan of Arc was burned and visit the 1979 church, which contains 16th‑century stained glass. If the museum is open, stop by the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Evening
Dinner in the historic center
Dine on one of the streets around the Place du Vieux-Marché. Order a dish with cream and apple or a regional cheese, and try the cider.

2 days in Rouen

Day 1

Morning
Cathedral and Historial
Spend the morning at the cathedral and the Historial Jeanne d'Arc, taking the full multimedia tour at a relaxed pace.
Afternoon
Gros-Horloge and Vieux-Marché
After lunch, climb the Gros-Horloge bell tower and follow the pedestrian street to the Place du Vieux-Marché and the church of Saint Joan of Arc.
Late afternoon
Half-timbered streets
Walk through the Saint-Maclou neighbourhood and visit the courtyard of the Aître Saint-Maclou.
Evening
Night in the city
Have dinner in the centre. In summer, check whether there is a light projection on the cathedral façade.

Day 2

Morning
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Reserve the morning for the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which includes works by Caravaggio, Géricault and an Impressionist collection. Permanent collections are free of charge.
Afternoon
Banks of the Sena
Have lunch and stroll down to the Seine quays, which have been turned into a pedestrian promenade.
Late afternoon
Abbatiale Saint-Ouen and garden
Visit the Gothic abbey of Saint-Ouen and the town hall garden next door. Check opening hours.
Evening
Last night
Return to the centre for dinner. Those continuing their journey can catch the train to Paris or to Caen the next day.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Paris to Rouen?

By train from Paris-Saint-Lazare station to Gare de Rouen-Rive-Droite takes about an hour and a half. From the station to the historic centre it's roughly a 15‑minute walk.

Is Rouen worth a day trip from Paris?

Yes. In one day you can see the cathedral, the Gros-Horloge, the Place du Vieux-Marché and the Historial Jeanne d'Arc, and return to Paris in the evening.

Why is Rouen associated with Joan of Arc?

She was tried and condemned in Rouen and died at the stake on the Place du Vieux-Marché in 1431. The Historial Jeanne d'Arc tells that story in the former archbishops' palace.

Can you go to Étretat from Rouen?

Yes, Étretat is about 90 km away. By car is the simplest option; by public transport the route goes via Le Havre and a local bus.

Back to Rouen