Just like cliffs of Etretat or Mont St. Michel, Rouen is one of the most visited destinations in Normandy. So, if you have the chance to spend a day in Rouen, here is a tour guide with a self-guided walking route to explore this magnificent city.
By following this route in old Rouen, you will discover the history of Rouen and its link with Joan of Arc. Indeed, Rouen is a city steeped in history and culture. Founded in the first century BC, it played a major role in the history of France.
With its cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and magnificent Gothic churches, Rouen has inspired many artists including the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet.
What visits to absolutely do in 1 day in Rouen?
When you only have a short day to visit Rouen, it is important to limit yourself to the most emblematic sites of the city which are located in old Rouen. Here are the visits that you should not miss for your day in Rouen:
- The Old Market Square – This historic square is a great place to relax and enjoy the ambiance of the city.
- Rouen Notre-Dame Cathedral – This magnificent Gothic cathedral is one of the city's most iconic monuments.
- Saint-Ouen Abbey Church – This flamboyant Gothic style abbey church is another architectural marvel of Rouen.
- The Saint-Maclou church – This flamboyant style church is renowned for its sculpted facade and its remarkable portal.
- Le Gros Horloge – This famous astronomical clock from the 16th century is a must-see in Rouen.
- The Historial Joan of Arc- This museum retraces the life and trial of the famous Joan of Arc, an emblematic figure of Rouen.
- The Keep of Rouen- Last vestige of the medieval castle, this keep played a major role in the history of the city.
- La Maison Sublime – Oldest Jewish monument in France, located under the Palais de Justice.
To discover all these tourist attractions, you have the choice between:
- Book a private tour of Rouen (€180 per group);
- Visit Rouen without organization, simply by going from streets to alleys strolling through the old town;
- or follow my circuit on foot with the itinerary below.
Program and itinerary to make the most of your day in Rouen
To optimize your day of visits, here is the program and the walking route which allows you to discover the most beautiful places in Rouen:
- Morning tour itinerary:
- Old Market Square
- Place de la Pucelle
- Hotel de Bourgtheroulde
- Big Clock
- Rouen Cathedral
- Afternoon tour itinerary:
- St. Romain Street
- Rue des Canonines
- Saint-Maclou Church
- Aître Saint-Maclou
- Rue Eau de Robec
- The Saint-Ouen abbey church
- Parliament of Normandy
- Church of Saint-Sauveur
- Church of Saint Joan of Arc
Walking tour to visit Rouen
Here is the map that you can put in pedestrian GPS mode to follow the circuit on foot to visit Rouen:
Visits for your day in Rouen
Here are now all the visits of this walk in the historic center of Rouen which allows you to discover the treasures of this medieval city. Each street, each square conceals architectural gems and will allow you to immerse yourself in the history of this Norman city.
Old Market Square
My tour to visit Rouen on foot begins from the Place du Vieux Marché, a place steeped in history.
Indeed, Rouen was the scene of numerous historical events, notably the execution of Joan of Arc in 1431. The Place du Vieux Marché, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake, is today a place of memory and contemplation.
Today, it is a very lively square where you will find many restaurants and bars. From the Place du Vieux Marché, following my route, you will reach the Place de la Pucelle.
Place de la Pucelle
Here you are on the Place de la Pucelle, another historic place in Rouen. Don't miss admiring the facade of theHotel de Bourgtheroulde, a former private mansion transformed into a 5-star palace.
Cross the square to reach rue de la Vicomté, turning left. When you arrive at the end of rue de la Vicomté, you will turn right to go to rue du Gros Horloge.
Big Clock
Rue du Gros Horloge is one of the most famous thoroughfares in Rouen. The street takes its name from the Gros Horloge. It is an imposing astronomical clock which is one of the most iconic symbols of the city. You can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy a panoramic view of Rouen.
This street is very lively, with many shops where you can go shopping. Go to the end of the street to reach Cathedral Square.
Rouan Cathedral
My walking tour now takes you to a must-see tourist site in Rouen: Notre-Dame Cathedral in Rouen.
It is a remarkable Gothic architectural work worldwide thanks to the 30 paintings from the “Cathedrals of Rouen” series painted by Claude Monet.
To continue my tour on foot, you will have to head to the left of the Cathedral to take rue Saint-Romain.
St. Romain Street
This street is famous because it has been a source of inspiration for many painters. Even today, it is culturally rich because you will find artisans' workshops there. Don't miss a visit to the Historial Jeanne d'Arc, a museum dedicated to the Maid of Orléans. After this visit, my itinerary will take you left into a small street: Rue des Chanoines.
Rue des Canonines
Rue des Chanoines is a typical and atypical alley because you can see quirky houses there. In the Middle Ages, this street was used by canons to go to the cathedral. Continuing to the end of the street, you will arrive on rue Saint-Nicolas.
At the end of rue Saint-Nicolas, you will arrive at rue de la République. Cross it and go up it for a few meters to reach Rue du Père Adam, turning right. Then you will take Rue Damiette.
Saint-Maclou Church
My tour to visit Rouen on foot takes you through Rue Damiette, famous for its antique shops. It is also home to several historic monuments with remarkable half-timbered facades and the Saint-Maclou church which is a jewel of flamboyant Gothic art.
My route will then take you to rue Martainville.
Aître Saint-Maclou
In rue Martainville, you will also find beautiful half-timbered houses. You will look for the sign indicating Aître Saint-Maclou.
You will have to enter through the porch to discover this historic place. In fact, Master Saint-Maclou witnessed the Black Plague which decimated the population of the entire district in the 14th century.
Then you take rue Victor Hugo, rue d'Amiens and turn to arrive at rue Armand Carrel.
Taking rue Armand Carrel, my walking tour takes you to the Saint-Vivien church. You will then need to turn left onto rue Eau de Robec.
Rue Eau de Robec
Named after the stream that crosses it, this pedestrian street is very touristy with its half-timbered houses and lively terraces.
The route continues straight until rue du Petit Mouton which is the narrowest street in Rouen (1 meter wide). At the end of the street, you will arrive at Rue de la République where the Saint-Ouen abbey church is located.
The Saint-Ouen abbey church
Often confused with Rouen Cathedral because of its majestic proportions, this church is surrounded by the gardens of the Hôtel de Ville.
Following my route on foot, you will then take rue de l'Hôpital then turn into rue des Arsins.
Then you will pass Place des Carmes, Rue des Carmes and finally Rue aux Jews.
Parliament of Normandy
It is a stopover in my walking itinerary because the Rue aux Jews is home to the Palais de Justice (former Parliament of Normandy) whose Gothic architecture is remarkable.
Under the courtyard of the Palais de Justice, the Maison Subline was discovered by chance in 1976. It is the oldest preserved Jewish monument in Western Europe, built around 1100. According to some, it is also the only preserved example of a medieval rabbinical school in the world.
Continue my circuit to rue Jeanne d'Arc which you will cross to reach rue Rollon which joins the Place du Vieux Marché.
Place du Vieux Marché – End of the Rouen walking tour
So ! My walking tour brought you back to the starting point on the Old Market Square where Joan of Arc was burned.
You will also find the covered market of Rouen, the remains of the Saint-Sauveur church and the Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc church which is a modern monument.
If you have time
Then, if you still have a little time, take a stroll along the banks of the Seine and admire the colorful houses that line the river.
You can also take a cruise on the Seine to discover Rouen from another angle.
Where to stay to visit Rouen on foot?
Just like in any tourist city, it is not a good strategy to choose a hotel or airbnb far from tourist attractions. In fact, you will waste time in transport and risk finding yourself in a neighborhood to avoid in Rouen.
To visit Rouen on foot, I recommend the Le Mercure hotel which is located in the heart of the historic district, 160 meters from Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Image attribution: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons + KoS, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa /4.0 + Ytierny, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons