Major city · France
Rouen
Give Rouen 1–2 nights: the old town, cathedral and Gros-Horloge are a half-day walk, and it works as a Normandy base or a Paris day trip.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds), Dec–Feb (cold, short days)
- Airports
- URO · CDG
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
Rouen is the capital of Normandy on the Seine, about 1 h 15 min by train from Paris Saint-Lazare. Its Gothic old town, the cathedral Monet painted more than 30 times, and the Joan of Arc sites fit into a compact walkable centre. Most travellers use it for one or two nights, or as a stop between Paris and the Normandy coast.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rouen, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyRouen is generally safe for tourists.
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportURO Rouen Vallée de Seine (Very small; limited routes.
- Getting aroundThe centre is compact and walkable: cathedral to Gros-Horloge is about 5 min on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealMain course, mid restaurant€14–22 (≈ US$17–30)
- Beerbar / supermarket€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Historial Jeanne d'Arc)€9.50 (≈ US$12), €6.50 (≈ US$8) reduced (check)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€25 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room€120 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €70 (≈ US$85) · Mid €120 (≈ US$140) · High €220 (≈ US$300)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- URO Rouen Vallée de Seine (Very small; limited routes. Most travellers arrive via Paris CDG or Orly, then train.) · CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle (TGV or connecting train to Rouen; allow 3–4 h door to door.)
Weather and climate
Rouen: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C45°F
2°C36°F
12 rd
Feb
8°C46°F
2°C36°F
10 rd
Mar
11°C52°F
4°C39°F
11 rd
Apr
14°C57°F
5°C41°F
10 rd
May
18°C64°F
8°C46°F
10 rd
Jun
21°C70°F
11°C52°F
9 rd
Jul
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
8 rd
Aug
23°C73°F
13°C55°F
8 rd
Sep
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
9 rd
Oct
16°C61°F
8°C46°F
11 rd
Nov
11°C52°F
5°C41°F
12 rd
Dec
8°C46°F
3°C37°F
12 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is compact and walkable: cathedral to Gros-Horloge is about 5 min on foot. The Métro (tramway) runs north–south, and TEOR bus lines cover the east–west. Buy tickets at machines or by text; a single is about €1.60 and valid one hour (check). Public transport is free on Saturdays (check).
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Le Havre
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Train from Rouen Rive Droite, about 1 h
UNESCO-listed rebuilt centre and the sea; easy return day.
Dieppe
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Train from Rouen Rive Droite, about 1 h
Channel port with a beach and castle; good day out.
Étretat
cautionDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Train to Le Havre or Bréauté-Beuzeville, then bus or taxi
Cliffs are worth it but the last leg is awkward without a car.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train from Rouen Rive Droite to Paris Saint-Lazare, about 1 h 15 min
Frequent trains; book ahead for cheaper fares.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Vieux-Marché / Cathédrale
The old town core: cathedral, Gros-Horloge and Joan of Arc sites on foot. Best for a first visit.
Gare Rive Droite
Around the station on Place Bernard Tissot; practical for early trains and one-night stops.
Saint-Sever (left bank)
South of the Seine, cheaper rooms and the Saint-Sever shopping centre; 10–15 min tram to the centre.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid hotel1 × 2 nights × €120 | €240 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €120 | €480 |
| Train Paris → Rouen, one way2 × €21 · check; fares vary | €42 |
| Public transport single ticket2 × €2 · check | €3 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €10 | €20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €79 |
| Trip total≈ €216 per person per day, bed included | €864≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to Rouen excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Crêpe or galette | €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) |
| Main course, mid restaurant | €14–22 (≈ US$17–30) |
| Beer, bar / supermarket | €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) / €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Museum entry (Historial Jeanne d'Arc) | €9.50 (≈ US$12), €6.50 (≈ US$8) reduced (check) |
| Cathedral guided tour | €2 (≈ US$3) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Pickpockets around the station and crowded market streets.
- Some restaurants near the Joan of Arc church are tourist-oriented; check menus before sitting.
- The A13 motorway from Paris is a toll road.
- Sunday: many shops and some restaurants close; the old town is busiest then.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
RouenRouen
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
No US or UK embassy in Rouen; embassies are in Paris. Consular help for most countries is handled from Paris.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Paris Saint-Lazare → Rouen Rive Droite: about €21 (≈ US$25), 1 h 15 min (check)
- Public transport single: about €1.60 (≈ US$2), valid 1 h (check)
- Taxi in town: metered; short hops €10–15 (≈ US$12–18) (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo PLEH)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kom-BYEN)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
- Où est la gare ? — Where is the station? (oo eh la GAR)
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Rouen. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds), Dec–Feb (cold, short days) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for URO and Paris CDG: last trains field-checked, taxi fallback.
- Walking clusters: cathedral and Gros-Horloge, Vieux-Marché and Joan of Arc, Saint-Ouen and the Beaux-Arts.
- Place pages with verified hours (cathedral, Historial Jeanne d'Arc, Musée des Beaux-Arts) and eat pages with last orders.
- Market-day fixtures for Place Saint-Marc and the covered markets.
Sources
- officialRouen Tourism
- officialVille de Rouen
- officialRéseau Astuce (public transport)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Rouen, revision 5306162 (CC BY-SA 4.0)