Perched on the banks of the River Seine, the French city of Rouen is a delight to explore on foot, and even better to follow a curated walking route such as the one below.
The Old Town of Rouen (Photo: Richard Mortel via Flickr / CC BY 2.0)
Located in the northern French region of Normandy, the bustling port city still retains many reminders of its distant past. Gothic churches and a cobblestoned pedestrian centre dotted with medieval half-timbered houses lend visitors the sense of stepping into the past, with many of the trappings of modern life such as shops, bars and restaurants never far away. It all amounts to one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations – and an eminently walkable one, too. The below walking tour should take around 2-3 hours in total, ensuring a leisurely introduction to this endlessly fascinating corner of France.
About the company
Guydeez allows travellers to find a local guide for private and personalised tours in around 80 destinations across the globe. All of their guides are local to the area and hand-picked based on their linguistic, cultural, societal, and historical skills and knowledge.
Tours are fully customisable to your preferences and needs and you can plan your itinerary with your guide in advance via an online chat function. Alternatively, you can pick from a range of existing itineraries. Tours are available in English, French, Spanish and Italian.
Highlights of the tour
All of the attractions listed below can be found in Rouen’s historic centre, or just outside, ensuring that walking between is perfectly manageable, regardless of your fitness levels. There are also plenty of enticing opportunities to stop off for a rest and refreshments along the way.
The imposing Rouen Cathedral (Photo: Loïc Ventre via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Rouen Cathedral: One of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world, Rouen Cathedral is a beacon on the city landscape. Situated in the heart of the city centre, it is the result of some seven centuries of architectural evolution, with its asymmetrical western façade, 12th-century Roman Tower and 19th-century cast iron spire. The cathedral can be enjoyed from the outside, or for a more immersive experience you can join a guided tour of its interior. If you’re visiting Rouen during the summer months, check out the cathedral after dark when it is transformed into a captivating light and sound show.
Saint-Maclou Church: Another of Rouen’s renowned Gothic-style churches, Saint-Maclou Church was constructed in the mid-14th century and underwent major restoration work following damage inflicted during World War II bombing raids. Nonetheless, many of its original remnants can still be seen, including detailed wood panelling in the porch area and decorative touches dating all the way back to the Renaissance era. Also notable are the many headless statues seen on the church’s exterior stonework – a consequence of the 16th-century French Wars of Religion.
Saint-Ouen Abbey Church: Completing the triumvirate of notable Rouen churches is the 6th-century Saint-Ouen Abbey Church. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes the former monks’ dormitory (now a town hall), the abbey is a study in Flamboyant Gothic design, featuring 11 chapels which mark out the path at the level of the chevet and a central tower adorned with Gothic-style decorative flourishes. Visitors can also explore the scenic garden that connects the main abbey with the town hall.
Place du Vieux Marché: Walk around Rouen’s Place du Vieux Marché – the Old Market Square – today and there is little indication that this was the scene of a notorious event that took place almost 600 years ago. In 1431, 19-year-old Joan of Arc – now a patron saint of France – was burned at the stake for heresy in the public square. It is an event that is memorialised by the Church of Saint-Jeanne-d’Arc that flanks the square, but more than anything the piazza is most popular today as a vibrant meeting point for locals and tourists alike.
Courthouse of Rouen: Another victim of WWII, there was a time after this period when the shell-like remains of the previously ornate Gothic Law Courts looked to be lost to the ravages of war. But today the Courthouse of Rouen have been lovingly restored to their early 16th-century glory and as a result they remain one of the city’s most visited landmarks. There are infrequent public tours of the building, or to really get up close and personal with the nuts and bolts of the French legal system in action, you can sit in on most of the court sessions.
A view of the Gros-Horloge clock (Photo: János Korom Dr. >23 Million Views via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Gros-Horloge clock: Just around the corner, you’ll find one of the most recognisable emblems of Rouen. Installed in a Renaissance arch that spans the Rue du Gros-Horloge, this 650-year-old astronomical clock is an instant head-turner with visitors to the city. But it more than just a visual masterpiece: it is also a mechanical one, boasting a mechanism dating back to 1389, making it one of the oldest in France. Venture inside the building itself and you’ll find the clock face room, plus a collection of 14th -century machinery in the belfry.
Museum of Fine Arts: Home to one of the most outstanding public art collections anywhere in France, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen is without question the city’s most prestigious cultural institution – and the ideal attraction for a rainy day. It features paintings, sculptures, drawings and objets d’art spanning the 15th century to the present day, including masterpieces by such legendary artists as Rubens, Caravaggio, Velázquez, Vouet, La Hyre, Poussin and Le Sueur.
Dame Cakes: After a busy couple of hours on the move, you’ll have certainly earned the right to rest those weary legs. Housed in a historic century-old building just seconds from Rouen Cathedral, Dames Cakes is an elegant café that combines the French penchant for delectable sweet treats with the vibes of a quintessentially British tea room. Set over two floors, the café is a magnet with upper-class types enjoying a leisurely chin-wag – all the better for any tourist who stumbles upon the place seeking a subtle spot of people-watching to accompany their warm cuppa and afternoon tea snacks.
Practical info
Getting there: Rouen is situated around a 2-hour drive northwest of Paris and 1.5 hours by train. For travellers arriving by air, the nearest airport is Beauvais-Tillé, a low-cost airport situated 1.5 hours from Rouen that offers connections to several European destinations. Charles de Gaulle in Paris is the next closest airport and connects to cities across the world.
For people arriving by sea, the cross-channel ferry ports of Caen, Le Havre, Dieppe, and Calais are also within easy driving distance
You can book this tour at GetYourGuide.com