Rouen lures you in with its beautifully preserved medieval quarter, fantastic museums and a flourishing food and wine scene. In addition to getting lost in the Old Town and admiring the ancient cathedral, Rouen is a great base for exploring the picturesque Normandy countryside.

Things to do

Rouen is anchored by Cathedrale Notre Dame, a magnificent place of worship built in the 12th century. Monet fans may recognise it as one of the painter's favourite subjects. It's particularly beautiful on summer evenings when a colourful sound-and-light spectacular is projected onto the Gothic facade.

Want to learn about the famous French heroine Jeanne d’Arc? Visit the Historial Jeanne d'Arc, an interpretive museum that celebrates her life and legacy. Travel back in time at the museum’s screening room where you can watch the dramatic retelling of her visions and victories.

From Monet to Rubens, the Musée des Beaux-Arts showcases outstanding works from across Europe. It's housed in a grand 19th-century building and has a sun-dappled indoor sculpture garden housed under a soaring glass ceiling.

Rouen is a great base for touring Normandy. Explore Honfleur, a charming port town, or visit Parc Naturel Regional des Boucles de la Seine Normande to hike in scenic valleys, visit an elegant chateaux and paddle down the river.

Getting around

Rouen is easy to get around on foot, especially within the Old Town. If you want to explore the Normandy countryside, it's best to hire a car. The city is well-connect by public transport, with trains running from Gare de Rouen-Rive-Droite station in around 1.5 hours.