Day trip itinerary in Rouen — Leni on the Road

I once prepared this day-trip itinerary for a colleague-turned-friend for her trip to Paris in 2018. I hope it will serve you as well. Rouen is a small city 100 km away from Paris and can be visited for an entire day. Regardless of its smaller size, I hope you can spare two-three days in Rouen to appreciate its beauty. I spent two years of my life here and yet, I missed on quite a lot of places and events. A lot has probably changed since I left but this itinerary should still be valid for these are timeless areas that have withstood wars, foreign invaders from the Vikings, to the English to the Germans, and religious conflicts.

day trip itinerary in rouen by leniontheroad.com

There are three ways to get to the Norman capital from Paris: via bus, train or co-voiturage (car pool). It takes about an hour to an hour and a half to reach Rouen.

Here’s a suggested day-trip itinerary on a November winter day (or any day, actually)!

Probably my only photo of Gare de Rouen (Rouen train station)

If you’re coming from the train station Gare de Rouen Rive-Droite - Rouen or Right Bank (of the River) Train Station, I suggest you walk down along the main street, Rue Jeanne d’Arc from the the station instead of getting a bus or getting on a metro (it’s actually a tram but the Rouennais consider it a metro). Stop by the nearby Café Le Métropole where you will see a plaque which says that it was where Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre used to hang out. Get a cup of tea or coffee to warm yourselves up on a breezy November winter day to jump start your day.

Head straight down through Rue Jeanne d’Arc and make a quick stop to the Donjon de Rouen (dungeon of Rouen), where, it is said, only this tower remains of the early 13th-century castle where Joan of Arc (FR: Jeanne d’Arc) was imprisoned. (A local of Rouen once told me this is a myth. The real tower where she was imprisoned was another tower which burnt down and they use this remaining tower to lure tourists in - authenticity of this claim remains questionable). Cross the street and turn left to the aptly named Rue de Donjon, you can’t miss it.

Head back to Rue Jeanne d’Arc and go back straight down ; stop by and admire the gardens by the newly renovated Square Verdel which should now be on your left, next to a bus stop. Right next to it would be the Musée de Beaux Arts (Fine Arts Museum). You should be along Rue Jean Lecanuet by now. You may opt to enter and see the collection inside the museum which houses 19th century paintings among others, especially of that of Claude Monet.

Rouen boasts as the home of Impressionism and Impressionist painter, Monet. Along and around this street and area are other museums which you can also choose to visit like the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles which houses collections of pre-industrial wrought iron items on display in a 16th-century church. Otherwise, continue straight Rue Jean Lecanuet to Hôtel de Ville (city hall) and admire the architecture that stands right next to the city hall, l’Abbatiale de Saint Ouen (Saint-Ouen Abbey), a majestic Benedictine abbey that sits in the heart of the city center. Take the time to visit the abbey and if and when you get the chance, climb up to see a panoramic view of the city. You should be in one of the key place in Rouen, Place du Général Charles de Gaulle.

Hôtel de Ville right beside l’Abbatiale de Saint Ouen

Once back down, stroll through the park behind the abbey and city hall where you can find a replica of the stone offered by the Vikings to the Normans during the Viking conquest. Take a look at the statue of Rolon, the first Viking king to set foot and rule Normandy.

My favorite place ever in Rouen: Rue Eau de Robec

Head out back to the city and cross the street, Rue des Faulx where you can find the typical medieval structure and architecture. With the park and they abbey at your back, turn left along Rue des Faulx, and just right in front of the end of the park fences, turn left at Place Saint Vivien. You’re about to be drawn back into medieval Rouen amongst the timbered-houses along Rue Eau de Robec. It’s probably time for a little snack. Step into the chic cafés and restaurants along this nostalgic street with its charming little canals. I suggest grabbing a bite and a cup of tea at Couleur Café.

Once you get your energy back, lose yourselves into the tiny streets of the city center and you’ll find yourselves in the majestic Rouen Cathedral, a 12th-century Gothic cathedral with tours including remains of a crypt from Roman structure on site. From Rue Eau de Robec, head straight to the end of the street until you reach Place de Lieutenant Aubert, turn right at Rue d’Amiens until you reach Rue de la République. Turn left and head down Rue de la République. You will see the Rouen Cathedral from its back. Entrance to the cathedral should be free.

Not far from la Place Cathédrale is the Rue Gros Horloge. And right at the end of this cobbled-stone street is the Le Gros-Horloge (Big Clock), a 14th-century astronomical clock set on a Renaissance arch with detailed carvings. Climb up the clock tower and enjoy another panoramic view of the Rouen that once was.

Back down Rue Gros Horloge, head to the end of the street and turn right. A few meters up along Rue Jeanne d’Arc is the Palais de Justice (Courthouse), also worth visiting. After a short visit admiring the building’s structure from the outside, head back out to Rue Jeanne d’Arc and cross the street. You’re now on your way to the old town where you’ll see the old market where Joan of Arc was mercilessly burnt. A relic and a church now stand in the area where this gruesome event occurred.

place de vieux marché rouen - leniontheroad.com

It’s probably lunch time. You are now in the heart of the old town. Surrounding this area are restaurants which can also be tourist traps but they can’t be bad. If you have the budget, try the restaurant La Couronne, the oldest inn in France that dates back 1345. Alternatively, opt for the more modest restaurants in the area. Go ahead and get lost in and around the tiny streets of the old town. Or you can simply get a sandwich and rest by La Place de Vieux Marché (old market square) just in front of the stake where Joan of Arc was burned alive. L’église Saint d’Arc (Joan of Arc church) now stands just beside where the horrifying incident of 1431 took place. The church’s architecture is said to replicate the burning flames that took the life of the brave young woman who sacrificed herself for her country and for her faith.

After a sumptuous Norman lunch, it’s time to slow things down. From the bus stop Theatre des Arts at the intersection of Rue Jeanne d’Arc and Rue de Général Giraud, take a T1 bus (red line) that will take you to the suburb of Rouen, Mont Saint Aignan. Go down at the stop Campus, and from there, walk back to the Panorama (panoramic view). What better way to slow things down than see the small city of Rouen from above. You may decide to spend some time here and see the sunset and wait for the city lights to illuminate the horizon.

At the Campus bus stop, take a T1 bus back to the heart of Rouen, go down at the stop Cathédrale and walk around the Christmas Market (November to December only) by the Place de la Cathédrale. Don’t forget to try some vin chaud (hot wine)!

It’s now time to take your train back to Paris. You can either go there by foot along Rue Jeanne d’Arc or take an F1 bus from Hotel de Ville or Square Verdel.

I hope you have a marvellous time in the city I once and will forever call home, Rouen.