What to do in Rouen? What to see in Rouen?
From Le Cotin Bleu, the best way to discover the city is probably also the simplest: on foot.
Place du Vieux-Marché is just a few steps away, while the Gros-Horloge, the Cathedral and the Palais de Justice are only a few minutes’ walk. Even Rouen’s museums, Saint-Maclou and the banks of the Seine can easily be reached without a car.
We have put together two itineraries starting from Le Cotin Bleu, depending on how much time you have:
24 hours: the must-sees.
48 hours: Rouen, its history and its art.
ROUEN IN 1 DAY
The must-sees, entirely on foot
For your first day, we invite you to travel through almost a thousand years of history without ever really leaving Rouen’s historic centre.
9:30 am — Place du Vieux-Marché
Le Cotin Bleu → Place du Vieux-Marché: approx. 1 min walk
Simply start by stepping outside Le Cotin Bleu.
Place du Vieux-Marché is one of Rouen’s most famous landmarks. It was here that Joan of Arc was burned at the stake on 30 May 1431.
Today, the square is surrounded by historic houses, café terraces and the covered market.
Take a few minutes to explore before entering the church that overlooks the square.
10:00 am — Church of Saint Joan of Arc
The church’s striking contemporary architecture contrasts sharply with the medieval neighbourhood around it. Inside, don’t miss the remarkable Renaissance stained-glass windows from the former Church of Saint-Vincent.
Address: Place du Vieux-Marché, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 7 88 24 99 06
Opening hours: daily, 10 am–12 pm and 2 pm–5 pm; until 6 pm from April to September. Closed on 25 December and 1 January.
More information — Church of Saint Joan of Arc →
The Gros-Horloge
Place du Vieux-Marché → Gros-Horloge: approx. 4 min walk
Follow Rue du Gros-Horloge towards the Cathedral.
The Gros-Horloge is one of Rouen’s most iconic landmarks. Its astronomical clock dates back to the 14th century, while the complex combines a Gothic belfry, Renaissance arch and 18th-century fountain.
Walking beneath the arch is a must, but if you have time, go inside too: the visit reveals the historic clock mechanism and, above all, offers wonderful views over Rouen from the top of the belfry.
Address: Rue du Gros-Horloge, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 2 32 08 01 90
Opening hours: April–September, Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–1 pm and 2 pm–7 pm; October–March, Tuesday–Sunday 2 pm–6 pm. Closed Mondays.
11:30 am — Palais de Justice & Maison Sublime
Gros-Horloge → Palais de Justice: approx. 3 min walk
Walk a few steps towards Rue aux Juifs.
Formerly the Parliament of Normandy, the Palais de Justice is one of France’s great masterpieces of secular Gothic architecture. Take a moment to admire its façades and extraordinary sculpted details.
Hidden beneath its courtyard is a much lesser-known treasure: the Maison Sublime, a Romanesque building dating from the early 12th century and the oldest surviving Jewish monument in France.
It can only be visited with a guide at specific times.
Palais de Justice: 36 Rue aux Juifs, 76000 Rouen
Maison Sublime information & bookings: +33 2 32 08 36 59
12:00 pm — Rouen Cathedral
Palais de Justice → Cathedral: approx. 5 min walk
Rouen’s Notre-Dame Cathedral is, of course, unmissable.
Claude Monet devoted his famous Rouen Cathedral series to it. Inside lie the tomb of Rollo, founder of the Duchy of Normandy, and the heart of Richard the Lionheart.
Its cast-iron spire also makes it the tallest church in France.
Address: Place de la Cathédrale, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 2 35 71 51 23
April–October: Monday 2 pm–7 pm; Tuesday–Saturday 9 am–7 pm; Sunday 8 am–6 pm.
November–March: Monday 2 pm–6 pm; Tuesday–Saturday 9 am–12 pm and 2 pm–6 pm; Sunday 8 am–12 pm and 2 pm–6 pm.
More information — Rouen Cathedral →
12:45 pm — Lunch
You are now in one of the loveliest parts of Rouen for lunch.
Discover our favourite places to eat in Rouen →
2:15 pm — Historial Jeanne d’Arc
Cathedral → Historial: approx. 2 min walk
Just behind the Cathedral, step inside the former Archbishop’s Palace.
The Historial offers an immersive experience exploring Joan of Arc, her trial and the creation of her legend. Allow 1½ to 2 hours for the full visit.
Address: 7 Rue Saint-Romain, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 2 35 52 48 00
Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10 am–7 pm; last admission to the digital experience at 5:15 pm. Closed Mondays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Official Historial Jeanne d’Arc website →
4:15 pm — Saint-Maclou & the antiques district
Historial → Saint-Maclou: approx. 5 min walk
Continue through the narrow streets of the historic centre towards Rue Damiette, Rue Eau-de-Robec and Rue Martainville.
This is one of our favourite parts of Rouen: half-timbered houses, galleries, workshops and antique dealers give the neighbourhood a very special atmosphere.
At its heart stands the spectacular Church of Saint-Maclou, a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture.
Address: Place Barthélémy, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 2 32 08 13 90
Opening hours: Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 10 am–12 pm and 2 pm–5 pm; until 6 pm from April to September.
4:45 pm — Aître Saint-Maclou
Church of Saint-Maclou → Aître Saint-Maclou: approx. 1 min walk
Whatever you do, don’t miss this one.
A former charnel house created in the aftermath of the great plague epidemics, the Aître Saint-Maclou is one of Rouen’s most unusual places.
Look closely at the timberwork: skulls, bones, gravediggers’ tools and funerary symbols are hidden throughout the decoration.
Address: 186 Rue Martainville, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 2 35 52 48 21
Free access: daily 9 am–7 pm; closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
6:00 pm — The banks of the Seine
Aître Saint-Maclou → Seine: approx. 10 min walk
Head down towards the river.
After the medieval streets of the old town, the riverbanks reveal a completely different side of Rouen. Take a stroll along the Seine before making your way back towards Place du Vieux-Marché.
Seine → Le Cotin Bleu: approx. 8–12 min walk.
And just like that, you’re home.
ROUEN IN 2 DAYS
Two days give you time to slow things down and discover another important side of Rouen: its art.
DAY 1 — Historic Rouen
Follow the itinerary from our one-day guide, but skip the walk along the Seine at the end of the day so you have more time to enjoy each stop:
Le Cotin Bleu → Place du Vieux-Marché → Church of Saint Joan of Arc → Gros-Horloge → Palais de Justice → Rouen Cathedral → Historial Jeanne d’Arc → Saint-Maclou → Aître Saint-Maclou → Le Cotin Bleu.
Around 2 km / 1.25 miles of walking throughout the day, excluding time spent inside the attractions.
DAY 2 — Rouen, a city of art
10:00 am — Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen
Le Cotin Bleu → Musée des Beaux-Arts: approx. 10 min walk
Start the day at one of France’s great regional art museums.
Its collections span painting, sculpture, drawing and decorative arts from the 15th century to the present day, including a remarkable collection of Impressionist works.
And even better: the permanent collections are free to visit.
Address: Esplanade Marcel-Duchamp, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 2 35 71 28 40
Opening hours: 10 am–6 pm. Closed Tuesdays, as well as 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November, and 25 December.
11:45 am — Square Verdrel
Museum → Square Verdrel: directly opposite
Take a short break in the gardens before continuing.
12:15 pm — Lunch
Make your way slowly back towards the historic centre.
Our favourite places for lunch in Rouen →
2:00 pm — Musée Le Secq des Tournelles
Square Verdrel → Le Secq des Tournelles: approx. 3 min walk
This is probably one of Rouen’s most surprising museums.
Housed inside the former Church of Saint-Laurent, its collection devoted to the art of ironwork transforms the Gothic building into a remarkable cabinet of curiosities: signs, keys, locks, household objects, jewellery and decorative ironwork.
Address: Rue Jacques-Villon, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 2 35 88 42 92
Opening hours: 2 pm–6 pm. Closed Tuesdays, as well as 1 January, 1 May, 1 and 11 November, and 25 December. Permanent collections are free.
Le Secq des Tournelles — official website →
3:30 pm — Back through the historic streets
Le Secq → Rue Eau-de-Robec: approx. 7 min
This time, don’t necessarily look for another monument.
Walk via Rue Beauvoisine → Hôtel de Ville → Rue Eau-de-Robec → Rue Damiette → Rue Saint-Romain → Cathedral.
The pleasure here is simply in looking at Rouen.
5:00 pm — The banks of the Seine
Cathedral → Seine: approx. 7 min
Walk down to the river and follow the Seine before slowly making your way back towards the Théâtre des Arts.
Evening — Opéra de Rouen Normandie
Seine → Opera House: approx. 5 min
Opera House → Le Cotin Bleu: approx. 6 min
If there is a performance during your stay, it is a wonderful way to end your second day: opera, symphonic music, dance, recitals and more.
Théâtre des Arts
7 Rue du Docteur-Robert-Rambert, 76000 Rouen
Box office: +33 2 35 98 74 78
See what’s on at the Opéra de Rouen Normandie →
Planning your stay
For special opening hours, guided tours, exhibitions and events, we also recommend checking Rouen Tourism.
Rouen Tourist Office
Esplanade Marcel-Duchamp, 76000 Rouen
Phone: +33 2 32 08 32 40
October–April: Monday–Saturday 9:30 am–6 pm; opens at 10:30 am on Tuesdays.
May–September: Monday–Saturday 9 am–7 pm; opens at 10:30 am on Tuesdays; Sundays and public holidays 10 am–6 pm.