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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Rouen: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Rouen
- A stroll through Rouen's charming old streets in Upper Normandy seems like stepping back in time.
- From the Middle Ages to the current period, history awaits you at every step.
- The voyage takes Christians a few steps closer to heaven. Rouen features more than 50 religious structures, several of which are Gothic architectural treasures.
- Rouen's pedestrian zone, a lovely enclave of winding mediaeval lanes and picturesque half-timbered buildings, houses most of the city's key tourist attractions.
- The majestic cathedral, the renowned Fine Arts Museum, and the spectacular Gros-Horloge clock tower are among the highlights.
- Visitors can retrace Joan of Arc's steps in Rouen, seeing where she was put on trial and martyred.
- Tourists can also see the devastation that occurred during World War II.
- Shell holes from Allied bombers may still be seen in the Palais de Justice's magnificent facade.
- Capital: Rouen
- International Airport: Rouen Airport
- Population: 472,000
- Currency: euro
- Time: UTC+1
- Driving side: Right
- Main Electricity: 230 V
- Official Language: French
- Religion: catholic
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Rouen
- In the Old Market Square, people watch.
- Explore the beautiful streets of Old Rouen.
- In the Jardin des Plantes, have a picnic lunch.
- Fresh produce can be found at one of the weekly markets.
- Rouen's lovely countryside surroundings are worth exploring.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Rouen
- Because of the excellent weather, May, June, July, August, September, and October are the best months to visit Rouen.
- July, August, and September are the warmest months on average.
- The coldest months of the year are January and February.
- January, May, June, and December are the wettest months.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Rouen
Cathédrale Notre-Dame
- The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, located in the heart of the old town, is one of the best places to see Gothic architecture in France.
- The cathedral's primary structure began in the 13th century, although it was not completed until the 16th century.
- The ornate facade, which inspired Impressionist painter Claude Monet, astonishes visitors.
- The central gateway of the church was the subject of Claude Monet's famous painting series.
- To capture the impact of varying lighting, he painted the area several times a day.
- Two towers loom above the town above the front. Because the Tour du Beurre was paid for by offerings from the faithful, who were allowed to eat butter during Lent in exchange, the tower on the right is known as the Tour du Beurre.
- The church has a height of 151 metres and has France's tallest spire.
- Despite being damaged during WWII, the cathedral still contains several original stained glass windows.
Musée des Beaux-Arts
- The Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of France's most important art museums.
- This outstanding fine arts museum is known for its wide range of artistic movements.
- From the 15th century to the twenty-first century, the collection includes paintings, sculptures, sketches, and objets d'art.
- Caravaggio, Diego Velázquez, Anton van Dyck, Nicolas Poussin, and Philippe de Champaigne painted masterpieces in the 17th and 18th centuries, 19th-century works by Eugène Delacroix, Théodore Géricault, Paul Delaroche, and Impressionists Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Abbatiale Saint-Ouen
- The powerful Benedictine abbey of Saint-Ouen commissioned this magnificent 14th-century structure as a church.
- The abbey church is a Historic Monument and a marvel of Late Gothic (Rayonnant) architecture.
- The beautiful vaulted interior, which measures 137 metres long by 33 metres high, provides a tranquil environment for spiritual worship.
- Light filters into the sanctuary through exquisite 14th-century stained-glass windows.
- The Portail des Marmousets, located in the abbey's south transept, shows incidents in the life of the Virgin Mary.
- The famous Cavaillé-Coll organ, frequently utilised for musical concerts, should also be seen by visitors.
- This particular Cavaillé-Coll organ has 5,000 pipes and four keyboards, making it one of the most beautiful organs in the world.
- The Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) is located on the same plaza as the abbey and was initially used as a dormitory for the monastery's monks.
- The former abbey gardens, now a public park, is located behind the Hôtel de Ville.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Rouen Off the Beaten Track
Aître Saint-Maclou
- The Aître Saint-Maclou is a mediaeval building that has been designated as a Historic Monument, making it a unique tourist destination.
- The site's history stretches back to 1348 when the "Black Death" disease destroyed a third of the town's population.
- The area, now a lovely courtyard, was initially used for burials, and the ossuary was housed in the houses surrounding the cemetery.
- Skulls, bones, gravedigger tools, and artefacts of funeral ceremonies are depicted in the building's galleries. In the stonework, a cat's skeleton was discovered.
- Cats (especially black cats) were considered evil spirits throughout the Middle Ages, and the cat would have been contained here (while still alive) to protect against bad luck.
Palais de Justice and Monument Juif
- The Rouen Law Courts are housed in the Palais de Justice, a spectacular example of mediaeval civilian architecture that also functioned as the meeting place for the Normandy Parliament.
- This Gothic masterpiece was destroyed during World War II and restored.
- The structure is not open to the public for a visit, but visitors will be stunned by the exquisite facade decoration, particularly the fantastic gargoyles.
- A beautiful fence, soaring pinnacles, and perforated buttresses adorn the central wing.
- The Allies bombed the Palais de Justice in 1944, and the shell holes in the building's outer walls can still be seen.
- The remnants of a fine stone edifice were discovered beneath the courtyard of the Palais de Justice during a restoration in 1976.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Rouen Culture and Traditions
- Rouen is a big port that serves as a sort of outpost for Paris.
- The port has long been involved with Rouen's industrial development, particularly the chemical, metalworking, and paper industries.
- Food products are now the majority of exports, reflecting the importance of agriculture in the surrounding area.
- The city's other primary businesses are electrical and electronic equipment manufacture, engineering, and food processing.
- Rouen is likewise becoming a more critical corporate and service centre.
- With pedestrian walkways and retail outlets, much of the city centre has been made tourist-friendly.
- Extensive residential construction has taken place to the north of the city centre, particularly around the neighbourhood of Mont-Saint-Aignan.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Rouen: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Restaurant Gill
#Food
- Restaurant Gill, located along the Seine near the Rouen Cathedral, is a must-visit for anybody who enjoys outstanding cuisine.
- It's simple to see why gastronomes adore this restaurant, which has two Michelin stars.
- Each year, Chef Gilles Tournadre develops four menus highlighting the freshest, highest-quality ingredients.
- The pan-fried duck foie gras with onion crystalised bacon cream and fresh truffle and the roasted Brittany lobster with shredded cod, parmesan, shellfish, and basil broth, are among the menu's highlights.
- There are also delectable treats, such as a coffee meringue packed with caramelised pecans and well-picked wines.
- Lunch and dinner are provided Tuesday through Saturday.
Restaurant Origine
#Food
- Restaurant Origine is a charming restaurant ideal for any event, whether a get-together with family and friends or a romantic date.
- The interior area is designed in a contemporary style, with neutral colours and bright flashes of colour to lend vibrancy to the decor and mood.
- The meal is spectacular and uses only the most excellent seasonal ingredients, and it's available for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday.
- Try the salt-baked pêche côtière with yellow carrots and pickled black and white grapes, followed by a unique dessert.
L'Odas
#Food
- L'Odas, a Michelin-starred French restaurant tucked inside a 16th-century Gothic mansion with a friendly, relaxed ambience, is a fantastic restaurant specialising in French cuisine.
- Guests can experience an array of excellent meals prepared by Chef Olivier Da Silva in an intimate, light-filled room with contemporary elements.
- L'Odas serves brunch on Sunday and lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
- Dishes include foie gras with whelks (sea snails), lemon confit, grilled bread, pigeon with puréed peas and bourbon vanilla sauce, and exotic fruit for dessert.
Markets
#Fashion
- Rouen is famous for its markets, and there is at least one open daily.
- The marketplaces at Place Saint-Marc and Vieux Marche are two of the most well-known.
- Place Saint-Marc is open for business every Saturday and Sunday, selling everything from apparel to flowers.
- You may find delicious local deli items like cheese, meat, and vegetables at Vieux Marche.
Galeries Lafayette Rouen
#Fashion
- This is the place to go if you're looking for warm winter garments or beautiful summer items.
- Shop for your or your loved ones' hats, backpacks, coats, and watches.
- The department store is well-known for the excellent quality of its merchandise and the presence of well-known brands.
Printemps
#Fashion
- Printemps is another well-known French department store that sells high-quality apparel and accessories from well-known brands.
- Have you got a party to go to? Stop by Printemps and pick out the appropriate outfit for the occasion.
PARC DU BECAUSE
#Fun
- Le Bocasse is Normandy's oldest theme park, located in the heart of the Norman countryside, about twenty minutes from Rouen or Dieppe.
- It is still run by a family and offers a superb assortment of rides for children and adults.
- The Flash Tower, the mine train, and the Jurassic Coaster thrill-seekers, while the play areas and splash pool will delight children.
- A 4D theatre and a sound and light show with a water theme are also worth seeing.
- A family favourite is the Splash-O-Saure, which lowers backwards into the water.
- Orochi, the highest and fastest roller coaster in Normandy, is set to open in 2021.
- Buzzy, the park's mascot, will also be available for selfies and hugs throughout the season.
FESTYLAND
#Fun
- Look no further if you're looking for Normandy's largest theme park. Festyland, just a few miles west of Caen city centre, has a classic Norman feel, focusing on Vikings, William the Conqueror, and the year 1066.
- The Drakkar Express and the 1066 roller coaster, unique in France, should not be missed.
- The family will have a great time with over 30 rides, four eateries, and a 3D theatre.
- There are also live performances throughout the summer, bringing knights, Vikings, pirates, and dinosaurs to life.
- The delicious and unique 'French Caen Caen' restaurant is all-new for 2021!
PARC ANGE MICHEL
#Fun
- This lovely amusement park is nestled in magnificent surroundings, only 25 minutes from Mont-Saint-Michel.
- Ange Michel has an extensive range of rides, including tiny roller coasters, carousels, and a fantastic 7D theatre!
- Kids and adults will blast zipping down the slides and cooling down in the outdoor pool, including many water attractions.
- A laser game, go-karts, and even a vintage vehicle museum are available for your enjoyment.
- The unusual flying sidecars ride brand new this year!
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Rouen: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- The Perche Regional Natural Park, established in 1998, encompasses about 1,800 square kilometres in Mortagne au Perche, Bellême, and Nogent le Rotrou.
- The Perche is known for its typical landscape features, including upland woods, bocage hillsides filled with hedges and orchards, and lowlands with damp meadows.
- Manor homes, chateaux, churches, and country houses dot the landscape, and the wide range of high-quality materials used to build them has resulted in a diverse palette of colours.
- Around Bellême and in the Réno Valdieu massif, the Perche is characterised by moderate slopes and outstanding beech and oak tree woods.
- Four hundred ninety-three plant species, 75 bird species, and over 1,100 fungus species are recorded.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Rouen Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- The Normandy Impressionist Festival is a multidisciplinary event highlighting the Impressionist movement and its ties to Normandy.
- The region is frequently referred to as the home of Impressionism since it is where the greatest artists of the visual style, such as Claude Monet, Eugène Boudin, Edgar Degas, and Raoul Dufy, were born and established their styles.
- The festival showcases Impressionism in all forms, including painting and photography exhibitions, music concerts, film screenings, theatre and dance performances, conferences, educational workshops, and "lunches on the grass," a reference to Manet's famous painting Le Déjeuner Sur l'Herbe.
- The festival takes place throughout Normandy from April through September, but most festivities occur in Rouen and Caen.
- Each year has a different theme. Over 450 activities are planned across Normandy for five and a half months.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Rouen Holiday
Places similar to Rouen to visit
Places similar to Rouen to visit
Places similar to Rouen to visit