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Rouen Attractions
The city’s main sights—and the old town— are on the Right Bank of the Seine. Visitors usually make a beeline for place du Vieux Marché. Their first impression is often one of bafflement when they see the giant modernist Church of Ste-Jeanne (see above) in the place where Joan of Arc was executed for heresy on May 30, 1431. Surrounded by medieval half-timbered restaurants and shops, the church’s 1970s architecture comes as a bit of a shock. But it somehow works, with its enormous stained-glass windows and a swirling roof that nudges the neighboring market stalls. On the west side of the church is the Joan of Arc Memorial Cross, a 20m- (65 ft.-) tall cross on the spot where she was burned at the stake.
In addition to the museums we give full reviews to, we'd like to draw your attention to the Musée des Antiquités (198 Rue Beauvoisine; https://museedesantiquites.fr/en; free admission). Set in a 17th century monastery, it has limited hours (Wed-Mon 2-6pm only) but a notable collection of 1st and 2nd century BC weapons, jewelry, and mosaics, along with other ancient pieces from Egypt, and other areas of Europe. Admission is free.
10 Results
- Cathedral
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
Monet immortalized Rouen’s cathedral (particularly the facade, with its galaxy of statues) in his paintings. The main door, Porte Central, is embellished with sculptures (some decapitated) depicting the Tree of Jesus. The 12th-century Porte St-Jean and Porte St-Etienne flank it.…Around Town
- Religious Site
Eglise St-Maclou
St-Maclou was built in the Flamboyant Gothic style with a step-gabled porch and cloisters. It’s known for the 16th-century panels on its doors; look out for the Portail des Fontaines on the left. The church was built in 1200, rebuilt in 1432, and consecrated in 1521. Its lantern… - Religious Site
Eglise St-Ouen
This church is the outgrowth of a 7th-century Benedictine abbey. Flanked by four turrets, its 115m (377-ft.) octagonal lantern tower is called "the ducal crown of Normandy." The church represents the work of 5 centuries. Its nave is from the 15th century, its choir from the 14th… - Museum
Historial Jeanne d’Arc
Set within the Archbishop’s Palace behind the cathedral is France’s largest site devoted to Joan of Arc. The palace’s elaborate interior is an impressive setting for the story of the Maid of Orléans told in multimedia and interactive displays. These compelling exhibits do an…Around Town - Historic Site
Musée Flaubert et d'Histoire de la Médécine
Gustave Flaubert, author of Madame Bovary, was born in the director's quarters of Rouen's public hospital (his father was the director) in 1821. The room in which he was born is intact. You'll see the glass door that separated the Flauberts from the ward and its patients. Family… - Museum
Musée Le Secq des Tournelles
Housed in the 15th-century Eglise St-Laurent, this museum showcases ironwork, a Norman art form. Its collection ranges from what a critic once called "forthright masculine forging to lacy feminine filigree, from Roman keys to the needlepoint balustrade that graced Mme. de Pompadour's… - Museum
Musée de la Céramique
One of the great treasures here is the collection of 17th- and 18th-century Rouen faïence (opaquely glazed earthenware), which has a distinctive red hue because of the color of the local clay. The exhibits provide a showcase for Masseot Abaquesne, the premier French artist in… - Museum
Musée des Beaux-Arts
Featuring the second-largest collection of Impressionist paintings in France, this impressive fine arts museum displays more than 8,000 artworks ranging from medieval primitives to contemporary paintings. Within this handsome 19th-century building are works by Renaissance masters…Around Town - Historic Site
Place du Vieux-Marché
Joan of Arc was executed for heresy at the Old Marketplace. Tied to a stake, she was burned on May 30, 1431. Her ashes were gathered and tossed into the Seine. A modern church with stained-glass windows from St-Vincent sits in the center of a monumental complex in the square; beside… - Landmark
Rue du Gros-Horloge
The pedestrianized “Street of the Great Clock”—rue du Gros Horloge—runs between Rouen’s cathedral and place du Vieux Marché and is one of the hubs of the city. It’s named for an ornate gilt Renaissance clock mounted on an arch over the street and is connected to a bell tower; this…
Rouen Shopping
Rouen was once one of France's major producers of the fine decorative ceramic ware known as faïence de Rouen. For contemporary faïence, your best bet is Faïencerie Augy, 26 rue St-Romain (tel. 02-35-88-77-47).
Rouen is also an antiques capital, with dozens of vendors in the Old Town. The best hunting ground is along rue Damiette, and rue St-Romain. Other antiques shops worth visiting are Galerie Bertran, 108 rue Molière (galeriebertran.com; tel. 02-35-98-24-06), with a good selection of 18th- and 19th-century paintings, especially by School of Rouen Impressionists; and Librairie Bertran, 112 rue Molière (librairie-bertran-rouen.fr; tel. 02-35-70-79-96), with its collection of antique books. A flea market joins the food stalls in place St-Marc on Fridays and Saturdays.
Chocolate lovers are spoiled for choice, with delectable treats at Le Cacaotier, 116 rue du Gros Horloge
(www.lecacaotier.com; tel. 02-35-62-71-06) and Auzou, 163 rue du Gros Horloge (www.auzouchocolatier.fr; tel. 02-35-70-59-31).
Rouen Nightlife
In the desacralized Saint-Nicaise church (with foundations dating back to the 7th century), L’Église Brasserie, 12 rue Saint-Nicaise (brasserieragnar.com) claims to be the worlds biggest church-set brewery—and boy is it impressive, with barrels lined up where pews once stood below billowing arches. By 2027 there will be a Scandinavian restaurant in the organ area; until then you can make do with hearty platters of cheese and charcuterie as you sip pints of local Ragnar beer, inspired (fittingly for the medieval setting) from 11th-century recipes.
Le Vicomté, rue de la Vicomté (tel. 02-35-71-24-11) is another popular night spot, attracting everyone from the after-work crowd to clubbers, with five levels devoted to fun and food. The space has a club with live bands and DJs, classy fireside cocktail bar, restaurant, patio, and even a billiard room.
Opéra de Rouen, 7 rue du Docteur Rambert (www.operaderouen.fr; tel. 02-35-98-74-78), schedules year-round ballet, opera, and classical music. A variety of contemporary concerts take place former hangar Le 106, quai Jean de Béthancourt (www.le106.com; tel. 02-32-10-88-60), including French and international pop and rock shows. Check the Tourist Office’s website for the latest events.
