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Top Attractions to Visit in Rouen

If you’re planning a holiday in Paris, consider renting a car and visit the beautiful city of Rouen, the capital of the Normandy region. Here is a guide to some of the things that you can see and do during your visit to Rouen.

Getting to Rouen from Paris

It will take you about an hour and a half to drive from Paris to Rouen in your hire car. Simply head out of Paris on the A14 partial toll road, following the signs for Rouen. Take the exit for the A13 partial toll road, and follow this road for 88.9km. Take exit 22-Oissel and follow the signs for Rouen-Est in order to get onto the D18e. This will take you into Rouen.

Top Attractions in Rouen

Once you’ve arrived in Rouen, park your car and take some time to explore the old part of the city. You can take a walking tour or, if you’re visiting Rouen during the summer, enjoy a 45 minute guided tour of the medieval section of Rouen on the “Little Train” (Le Petit Train de Rouen), which departs from outside of the Cathedral.

Cathédrale Notre-Dame

The Gothic Cathédrale Notre-Dame dates back to the 12th Century, although it was constructed over a number of years and features examples of early Gothic, late Gothic and High Gothic architecture. The Cathedral’s crypt dates back further, having been part of the Romanesque cathedral which originally stood on the site, and houses a tomb containing the heart of Richard the Lionheart and the tomb of Duke Rollo, the first Duke of Normandy, as well as the tombs of the cardinals d’Amboise.

photo – saitor

The cathedral’s magnificent 250 ft high steeple was constructed between the 15th and 17th centuries, and is known as the Butter Tower (Tour de Beurre) because it was built thanks to money donated by wealthy Rouen residents in return for being able to continue to eat butter during Lent. The cathedral also has a 500ft high bell tower, known as the Lantern Tower (Tour Lanterne), which contains 56 bells.

Maclou Church and St. Ouen Abbey

Other historic religious buildings in Rouen include the 15th Century St. Maclou Church and St. Ouen Abbey, which dates back to the 14th Century. You can also visit the more contemporary St. Joan of Arc Church, which was constructed near to the spot in the Old Market Square (Place du Vieux Marché) on which St. Joan was burned at the stake.

Rouen’s secular historical attractions include its Great Clock (Gros-Horloge) and the Renaissance-style House of the Exchequer (Bureau des Finances). The city also has a number of museums, including the Rouen Natural History Museum, the Museum of Antiquities, Joan of Arc Tower (where Joan of Arc was tried), the Joan of Arc Wax Museum and the Flaubert Pavilion (part of the building in which Gustave Flaubert, author of “Madame Bovary”, lived).

Rouen also has excellent restaurants, markets, shops and bars, making it a great place to visit for a day or two during your holiday.