Rouen
Rouen, the Normandy regional capital on the River Seine, is known for its Gothic cathedral, medieval streets and the Joan of Arc story, and trains run there from Paris.
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Rouen is the capital of the Normandy region, on the River Seine in northwestern France. It was one of the most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, and its old streets still hold half-timbered houses from earlier centuries. The 14th-century Gros Horloge astronomical clock stands in the street of the same name, and the Gothic cathedral is the city's landmark. Claude Monet painted its façade in a series at different times of day. The Palais de Justice was once the seat of the Parlement of Normandy.
Joan of Arc was tried and burned at the stake here on 30 May 1431, and the Place du Vieux Marché marks the site of her pyre. Plan one day for the cathedral, the clock and the old town on foot, and a second if you want the museums, which hold Monet and Géricault paintings and a collection of faïence and porcelain. Trains from Paris reach Gare de Rouen-Rive-Droite, so a day trip is practical. Expect mild, wet weather for much of the year and pack a rain jacket.
Rouen in five
- Take the train from Paris Saint-LazareTrains reach Rouen in about 1.5 hours, so a day trip is possible and a night is better. Book ahead for peak weekends.Is a Eurail Pass worth it?
- See the cathedral and the Gros-HorlogeThe Gothic cathedral inspired Monet's series, and the clock arch sits on the main shopping street. Both can be admired from the street.
- Find the Joan of Arc sitesJoan of Arc was tried and burned here in 1431. The old market square has a memorial and a modern church, and a museum tells the story. Check opening days first.
- Eat Norman, not touristyLook for duck à la rouennaise, cider and Camembert. A short menu is a good sign.
Things to do in Rouen
See all attractions in Rouen
Need to know
- Airport
- Paris CDG or Orly; no airline hub in Rouen
- Getting there
- Train from Paris Saint-Lazare about 1.5 hours
- Getting around
- On foot in the center; metro and buses for outer sights
- Best base
- Near the cathedral and the Gros-Horloge
- Time needed
- 1 day; 2 with the coast
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cool, wetJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- FebruaryRain12 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cool, dampFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, damp
- MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Mild, showersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, showers
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring blossomsAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring blossoms
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°WarmJuneRain
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh23°Low13°Warm, busyJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, quietAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, clearSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, clear
- OctoberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low9°Fall colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low6°Damp, greyNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Damp, grey
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Cold, wetDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, wet
Average daily high and low in Rouen, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Rouen
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 93%
Rouen
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°7°93%Monday: Rain. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Tue11°5°0%Tuesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed10°4°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu10°5°8%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Fri12°5°10%Friday: Fog. High 12°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat11°5°8%Saturday: Fog. High 11°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun10°3°8%Sunday: Fog. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 06:44 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Rouen
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Rules for Rouen, checked
- Check France's entry rules on the French foreign ministry website before you fly. France applies Schengen rules to most non-EU visitors.Source
- Schengen entry needs a passport valid for at least three months after you plan to leave the Schengen area.
- Declare cash above the EU reporting threshold when you enter or leave the EU, and check the customs site for the current limit.Source
- Most meat and dairy products from outside the EU are not allowed in. Check the customs rules before you pack food for the trip.
Plan around Rouen
Harbor town on the coast, within a day
Read the guideGiverny travel guideMonet's gardens, an easy add-on
Read the guideEtretat travel guideWhite cliffs on the Alabaster Coast
Read the guideBrittany and NormandyHow to plan a northwest loop
Read the guideTroyes travel guideAnother timbered old town, in Champagne
Read the guideAll of FranceRegions, trains, entry rules and money for a France trip
Read the guideRouen FAQ
Is Rouen worth visiting?
Yes for medieval streets, a Gothic cathedral and the Joan of Arc story. It is less crowded than Paris and gives a taste of Normandy without a car.
Can you visit Rouen as a day trip from Paris?
Yes, by train in about 1.5 hours each way. A day covers the cathedral, the Gros-Horloge and the timbered lanes. Stay a night to see it quiet.
How many days in Rouen?
One full day is enough for the center. Add a day for Giverny or the coast, or stay two nights with Honfleur and Étretat.
What is Rouen famous for?
Its Gothic cathedral, painted by Monet, the Gros-Horloge clock and the place where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431.
Is Rouen a good base for Normandy?
For Giverny, Honfleur and the cliffs, yes if you drive. Without a car the coast is harder, so consider Caen or a tour from Paris.