Dreaming of a weekend full of discoveries? The city of Rouen offers the perfect getaway! We wandered its cobbled streets, admired its half-timbered houses, strolled along the banks of the Seine and thrilled to the majesty of its cathedral. In short: we had a ball! Rouen combines medieval charm, a warm atmosphere and cultural treasures around every corner. It takes just two days to fall in love with this city of art and history. In this article, we take you along to relive every highlight of our escapade, with the best things to do in Rouen in a weekend. Ready to succumb to its charm?
Day 1: What to do in Rouen over the weekend Treasures of the historic center
Don't look any further: your escapade of the best things to do in Rouen in a weekend begins right in the historic center!
Would you like to discover Rouen's historic center and the story of Joan of Arc at your own pace ? Immerse yourself in history by booking your audio tour of the city right here.
Morning: Cathedral, Gros Horloge, Place du Vieux Marché and Palais de Justice
As soon as we arrived in the historic center, we were stunned by the astonishing splendor of Rouen Cathedral. Not surprisingly, it's one of the 21 most beautiful cathedrals in France! Every stone in this Gothic masterpiece seems to tell the story of a different era, including the 19th-century cast-iron spire, which is the tallest in France! It's impossible not to be dazzled by the richness of its façade, decorated with 70 sculptures.
The guided tour to book: Travel back in time by booking this guided tour of the city, which will show you Rouen's ancient monuments, including the cathedral, the Gros-Horloge clock, the Saint-Maclou church and the Saint-Ouen abbey church.
We remain in the area, rich in historical discoveries. We head for the Gros-Horloge, another of the city's must-see symbols. With its mechanism dating back to 1389, the clock told us tales of moons and ancient gods... Don't believe us? You too can climb to the top, listen to its story, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the city!
Good to know: before the XVIᵉ century, the word "clock" was masculine, hence its funny name these days.
Our morning continues on the Place du Vieux Marché. It's a place charged with emotion, since it was here that Joan of Arc met her death. We're starting to get hungry (or a little too impatient to try the local specialties), but before we do, a quick look at the magnificent architecture of the Palais de Justice is in order. It's definitely worth a look!
Afternoon: Museums, Saint-Ouen Abbey and Saint-Maclou district
The afternoon begins at the Musée des Beaux-Artswhere we heard you could admire works by masters such as Caravaggio, Rubens, Delacroix and Monet. No disappointment there!
A few steps away, we set course for Le Secq des Tournelles, another museum this time housed in a former Gothic church. Surprisingly, it houses the world's largest collection of antique ironwork. With 8,000 pieces ranging from the Gallo-Roman period to the 19th century, this museum immerses us in Rouen's art through gates, locks and other jewelry.
Good to know the permanent collection of the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles is free of charge.
Our tour continues with a visit to the flamboyant 137-metre-long Abbey Church of Saint-Ouen. We love its 80 stained glass windows and world-famous Cavaillé-Coll organ!
Before continuing our little excursion, we stop off at the Jardin de l'Hôtel de Ville. This verdant little park is the perfect place for a romantic stroll, before heading off to the Saint-Maclou district, an antique dealer's paradise.
Read the article: Rouen, a cultural getaway in Normandy
Day 2: What to do in Rouen over the weekend? Museum, Halle aux Toiles and Jardin des Plantes
Museums, history and nature: the second day of your weekend in Rouen still has a few surprises in store.
Good to know: with the Rouen Pass, bookable right here, you'll have access to a wide range of must-do attractions in Rouen(guided tour of Rouen's historic districts, Impressionist-themed tour inspired by Monet, Pissarro, visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts....)
Morning: Flaubert Museum and History of Medicine, stroll on the Seine River
Our 3-day adventure in Rouen continues with a free visit to the Flaubert Museum and History of Medicinea place steeped in history, where the famous writer was born. We found it in the heart of the Hôtel-Dieu, passionately exploring the history of medicine from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. On the program: treasures of literature, ceramics and old books - in short, a real trip back in time!
But it's when we continue our morning with a stroll along the Seine that we experience a real escape. The majestic river revealed a side of the city we'd never imagined: its hidden charms, its landscapes and the special light that bathes the Seine valley. Let's face it, we felt a little dreamy, swept away by this enchanting panorama... For us, Rouen has never been so beautiful!
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Afternoon: Halle aux Toiles and Jardin des Plantes
To round off our weekend in Rouen, there's nothing like a visit to the Halle aux Toiles, a listed period building . Surprisingly, we learned that it was the largest market in France at the time! Destroyed during the 1944 bombings, the Halle was rebuilt identically, including the chapel of the Fierté Saint-Romain. Today, it is a popular venue for trade fairs, exhibitions and other events.
To round off our weekend in Rouen, we decided to take a stroll through the Jardin des Plantes. Located to the south of the city, it offered us a lovely family stroll, taking in its plant treasures from all five continents. We particularly recommend the almost two-hundred-year-old central greenhouse, home to exotic plants, cacti and even carnivorous plants: a real gem!
Tip from Petit Futé : the bus and metro networks are particularly active and extensive. So there's no need to rent a car! By staying in the city center, or even near the train station if you're coming by train, you can easily do all the interesting sights of Rouen on foot.
Where to stay in Rouen for a weekend? Our selection of the best hotels
Many hotels in Rouen offer comfortable rooms at affordable prices. Stay close to the historic center: it's a veritable hive of exciting points of interest!
- The best location
Located right in the heart of the city, theHôtel de la Cathédrale is as elegant as it is conveniently located. Prices remain affordable, even in summer: good news for this beautiful Rouen hotel, which you can book here!
- The cheapest
An inexpensive hotel in the heart of the historic center? You'll find it at the Comfort Hôtel Alba! Book here for its central location, breakfast and warm welcome.
- The perfect compromise
Simple yet elegant; no fuss yet comfortable; refined yet welcoming. That's a good summary of the Hôtel Cardinal, located right next to Rouen Cathedral. Its prices remain fairly low throughout the year, making it a great value for money. Click here to book your room.
With its cheap hotels and numerous free museums, Rouen is one of the ideal destinations for a cheap weekend in France. And that's just the start of your visit to the region! As you'll see from our must-sees in Normandy, there's no shortage of charm in the area. Quite simply, we can't get enough of it, constantly finding new reasons to marvel at it. And what about you?
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