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Affectionately named the “city of a hundred steeples” by Victor Hugo, endearing Rouen has both a long and eventful history and a dynamic present. Spanning the River Seine and founded during Roman times, the capital of the Normandy region was one of the most prosperous cities in Europe in the Middle Ages – a legacy visible today in its impressive medieval edifices and beautifully restored half-timbered houses lining narrow streets in its old town centre. Inextricably linked with major historical figures including William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart and of course Joan of Arc, “La Ville Musée” is famed for its museums, with exhibitions in Rouen spanning history, art and natural sciences.
But Rouen is not just about the past. It's also a buzzing modern city where you can sample superb Normandy seafood, cheeses and cider, shop for antiques and regional crafts or admire art in off-beat galleries. And it's perfectly positioned as a base for exploring the lush surrounding countryside, nearby chateaux and the picturesque Normandy coastline. Wondering where to stay in Rouen? Whether you're looking for a family hotel with breakfast for a city break, a stylish and convenient stop for a business trip or a luxury Rouen hotel for a romantic weekend, you'll find just the right option among our selection of the best accommodation in Rouen.
In a city famed for its many spires, the most famous of them all – and the tallest in France – makes a perfect starting point for discovering the attractions of Rouen. TheCathédrale Notre Dame de Rouen is a lavish Gothic masterpiece that has continually evolved since the start of its construction in the 12th century. Light pours through vivid stained-glass windows, some dating as far back as the Middle Ages, and in the church's lofty interior you'll find the tombs of the Dukes of Normandy as well as one containing the heart of King Richard the Lionheart. You might recognise the cathedral's stunning façade from a series of paintings by Impressionist artist Claude Monet, whose depictions showcase the effect that ever-changing light has on our perception of a subject. You can admire some of these paintings – along with hundreds of other masterpieces spanning the 15th to 21st centuries – at theMuseum of Fine Arts of Rouen. Monet rented space opposite the cathedral for his project – today you'll findRouen Tourist Office in his former studio at 25 Place de la Cathédrale. Rouen will always be notorious as the city where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in 1431, during the Hundred Years War. Steps from the cathedral, you can find out all about France's most iconic heroine at theHistorial Jeanne d'Arc in the ornate Archbishop's Palace. Interactive exhibits at this innovative museum take you back to the 15th century to experience the Maid of Orléans's life and times first-hand, and even be a virtual witness at the trial to pardon her retrospectively in 1456. A few minutes' stroll away is Le Bûcher de Jeanne d'Arc, the spot where she was executed, on Place du Vieux Marché Rouen. The square is also home to the striking, modernChurch of Saint-Joan of Arc, which features Renaissance-era, stained-glass windows rescued from a church destroyed in WWII. Just north, the Donjon de Rouen tower is the only remnant of the medieval fortress where Joan was imprisoned – today you can try to find your way out of the dungeon in an exciting VR escape game. Around the cathedral you'll find some of Rouen's best-preserved half-timbered houses, several of them tilting at precarious angles and nowadays home to tempting bistros and quaint shops. The area is also home to another Gothic jewel, the Church of Saint-Maclou, renowned for its intricately carved wooden doors. Close by, theAître Saint-Maclou was founded as a cemetery during the 14th-century Bubonic Plague to accommodate the bones of the dead; it was later expanded with tiered galleries, carved with macabre symbols including skulls and gravediggers' tools. Today the complex hosts arts and crafts galleries. Another Rouen landmark is Le Gros Horloge, a wonderfully intricate gilded clock adorning a belfry housing the city's bells – climb to the top for breathtaking views over Rouen's rooftops. Rouen owes much of its historic prosperity to its location on the Seine. As well as an embarkation point for river cruises, its banks are a delightful spot for a waterfront stroll or for a longer bike ride through the Seine Valley. Take a break in one of the cool bars and restaurants that now occupy the repurposed warehouses, many adorned with avant-garde street art, which line the waterfront. Across the river, theBotanical Garden Rouen is perfect for a sightseeing break in the fresh air, with a 19th-century greenhouse, aviaries and plants from five continents.
The rolling green pastures of Normandy make the region ideal for dairy produce, and cheeses are one of its most-renowned gastronomic exports. Pick up a crisp baguette and some aromatic Pont-l'Évêque, Neufchâtel or Camembert de Normandie at vibrant markets like the Marché Saint-Marc or the Marché du Vieux Marché for a delectable picnic when you visit Rouen. On your search for the best restaurant in Rouen, you'll be able to choose between anything from stylish Michelin-starred establishments, overlooking the Seine or occupying Gothic mansions, to convivial bistros in cosy, centuries-old timber-framed houses. Oysters and mussels from the Normandy coast are popular on lots of menus – keep an eye out for *moules de Barfleur,*a local favourite. Another city standard-bearer is duckling *à la rouennaise –*rolled in mustard and served rare with a sauce made from Bordeaux wine and shallots. For an irresistible Normandy dessert, try *teurgoule,*a creamy cinnamon-flavoured rice pudding. Unlike many other French regions, Normandy isn't a wine growing area, but is world-famous for its ciders. As well as the many apple varieties, try poiré, a cider made from pears. Calvados, the local apple brandy, is sipped as a palate-cleanser between courses, or as the culmination to a perfect supper.
With so much to see and do, you'll want a comfortable and convenient spot to lay your head. In the city centre, steps from charming shops, lively bistros and the big-hitting sights, we offer everything from luxurious Rouen 4-star accommodation, metres from the cathedral or next to the Seine, as well as stylish economy design hotels, perfect for your Rouen weekend escape. Street space is at a premium, so if you're travelling by car you'll find several Rouen hotels with parking in our selection. Visiting for a trade fair, an exhibition or a concert in Rouen at the Zénith arena? Our hotels in Rouen Sud are the ideal choice. On a flying business trip and need space for a meeting or coworking in Rouen? We've got plenty of those options too.
Rouen has a damp Atlantic climate and rainfall is frequent throughout the year, with temperatures most comfortable from May to September. TheRouen Cathedral Light Show, usually from June to September, features colourful, themed light projections onto its façade. Gourmets flock to theFête du Ventre Festival on the third weekend in October, when regional producers and chefs in traditional costume show off the finest of Normandy's food and drink.
Trains to Rouen arrive at Gare de Rouen – the trip from Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris takes roughly 90 minutes. If you're driving via the Eurotunnel from the UK, the journey from Calais takes a little over two hours. The nearest ports for Channel ferries are Le Havre (around an hour's drive), Dieppe (90 minutes) and Caen-Ouistreham (1 hour 40 minutes). Nearby airports for domestic flights are Caen Airport (1 hour 40 minutes) and Aéroport Deauville-Normandie (an hour), while Paris's Orly and Charles de Gaulle are the main destinations for international flights. Rouen's own Vallée de Seine airport (25 minutes) is mainly used for private and leisure flights.