Magical and medieval, the charming city of Rouen is the capital of Normandy and well worth a visit on any trip to the region. Here are oodles of photos of Rouen that will make you want to visit ASAP (as well as an address book for all of the very best things to do in Rouen!)
Rouen Address Book (Best things to do in Rouen)
Of course, there are certain photo spots and ‘Instagram’ locations in the magical city of Rouen that you won’t want to miss. There are also plenty of cafés, eateries and museums. Here are all of the very best things to see and do in Rouen:
Gros Horloge of Rouen: Rue du Gros Horloge, 76000 Rouen, France. This Renaissance-style clock is situated in the very heart of the city, not far from the cathedral. There’s a small museum located nearby and the Gros Horloge contains one of the oldest working time movements in France.
Rouen Cathedral: Place de la Cathédrale, 76000 Rouen, France. Final resting place of Richard the Lionheart, as well as many other famous kings and historical figures, Rouen Cathedral was once the tallest building in the world. Today, its beautiful gothic-style façade and high vaulted interiors really are a sight to see!
Timber framed houses: The pretty architecture of the timber-framed houses are part of what makes Rouen so iconic as a city. Some of my favourite houses in Rouen can be found in the streets surrounding the Gros Horloge.
Ceramics Museum (Musée de la céramique de Rouen): 1 Rue Faucon, 76000 Rouen, France. Situated in a 17th-Century townhouse, this museum displays plenty of ceramics dating from the 16th to the 18th-Centuries. In total, almost 6000 items are housed and displayed here.
Musée Le Secq des Tournelles: 2 Rue Jacques Villon, 76000 Rouen, France. This museum is one of the quirkiest places to see in Rouen. Situated within the walls of a former church, here you’ll find collections of all kinds of things; including pub signs, old keys, vintages locks, etc.
Further Rouen Addresses (and more photos of Rouen)
Explore the old town: Of all the very best things to do in Rouen, wandering the city may well be one of my favourites. Many French cities are best explored on foot and Rouen is no exception. Wander through the old town part of the city to find some of the prettiest streets and quirkiest architecture.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen: Espl. Marcel Duchamp, 76000 Rouen, France. This fine art museum contains objets d’art and intricate antiques from all over France. First inaugurated in 1801, and shortly after the French Revolution, today the museum primarily houses collections of items dating from the 1500s-1900s.
Jardin des Plantes de Rouen: 114 ter Avenue des Martyrs de la Résistance, 76100 Rouen, France. This green space is an oasis just outside the heart of the city. Jardin des Plantes is Rouen’s largest green space and is filled with amazing plants to see year-round. From wisteria in the spring to roses in the summer months, the gardens are almost always in bloom. In the winter time, you can visit the garden’s extensive greenhouses, where plants thrive even in the coldest of months.
Historial Jeanne d’Arc: 7 Rue Saint-Romain, 76000 Rouen, France. Set over five floors, this museum is dedicated to the life and times of Joan of Arc, who was tried in the city of Rouen in the 1400s. Since her trial and execution (which many historians believe took place in a square not far from the Gros Horloge), she has become a national icon in France.
Even more of the best things to do in Rouen:
Old Market Square: This picturesque market square is as pretty at night as during the day (so pretty much all the time!) All timber-framed houses and sloping rooftops, it makes for a very cute picture (and can often be found in snaps on Instagram).
Church of Saint-Maclou: 7 Place Barthélémy, 76000 Rouen, France. The imposing cathedral that sits in the very heart of the city isn’t the only beautiful or fascinating church in town! The gothic architecture of Saint-Maclou is well worth a look, if only to learn about its complicated history (the ossuary here once housed the bones of thousands upon thousands of plague victims) and see its macabre architecture.
Musée Flaubert et d’Histoire de la Médecine: 51 Rue de Lecat, 76000 Rouen, France. Located in a former hospital, you’ll find a museum dedicated to all things medicine related. Now classified as a historic monument, the museum only costs a few euros to enter and here you’ll find quirky sights to see such as the birth room of Gustave Flaubert.
Palais de Justice: 76000 Rouen, France. Located right beside the grand Rouen Cathedral, you’ll find the Palais de Justice (Rouen Courthouse). Its façade has a gothic exterior and perfect for photography!
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