Planning a Trip in Rouen

Arriving -- From Paris’s Gare St-Lazare, trains leave for Rouen about once an hour (trip time: 1 1/2 hr.). The one-way fare is 25€, but you can get deals online for as little as 9€. The main station is a 10-min. walk to the city center. For rail information and schedules, visit www.sncf-connect.com or call tel. 36-35. To drive from Paris, take A13 northwest to Rouen (trip time: 2 hr.).

Visitor Information -- The Office de Tourisme is at Esplanade Marcel Duchamp (en.rouentourisme.com; tel. 02-32-08-32-40).

City Layout -- As in Paris, the Seine splits Rouen into a Rive Gauche (Left Bank) and Rive Droite (Right Bank). The old city is on the Rive Droite.

Getting Around

On Foot -- Rouen’s old town is compact and best navigated on foot, as many of its medieval streets are pedestrianized. The Tourist Office offers free maps marked with two easy-to-follow walking tours around the city.

By Bicycle -- Like many French cities, Rouen has its own bike-sharing scheme, Lovélo (lovelolibreservice.fr/en). You need to download the app to register, then grab a bike from one of Rouen’s 64 bike stands; fees range from 1€ for 1 day to 5€ for a week, with the first 30 minutes free.

By Car -- Rouen Normandie Stationnement (rouen-normandie-stationnement.fr/en/home) details the city’s five central public parking lots and their hourly prices.. As prices average 16.50€ for 24 hr., having a car in Rouen can be expensive. Unless you plan to visit other areas, you won’t be needing a car in Rouen itself.

By Taxi -- Les Taxi Blancs (taxis-blancs-rouen.fr;

tel. 02-35-61-20-50).

By Public Transport -- Rouen’s Métro (www.reseau-astuce.fr

) has one line running north-south through the city, underground on Rive Droite and at street level on Rive Gauche. The most central stations in Rive Droite are Théâtre des Arts, Palais de Justice, and the train station, Gare-Rue Verte. Tickets cost 1.70€ and are on sale at automatic kiosks at each station.

ATMs/Banks -- Dozens of banks are all around the city center, with 10 along rue Jeanne d’Arc.

Doctors & Hospitals -- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen (www.chu-rouen.fr; tel. 02-32-88-89-90).

Mail & Postage -- La Poste, 45 bis rue Jeanne d’Arc (tel. 36-31).

Pharmacies -- Grande Pharmacie du Centre, 29 pl. Cathédrale (tel. 02-35-71-33-17).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.