This historic French city on the Seine River was a medieval economic powerhouse. Its Roman-era walls and amphitheatre ruins reflect its ancient roots and revolutionary past.
Rouen, the former capital of Normandy, lies along the Seine River about 135 km northwest of Paris. This medieval city is home to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, where you can see the tomb of Richard the Lionheart. Walk through the old town to find well-preserved half-timbered houses and the Great Clock, a 14th-century astronomical clock. Visit the Church of Saint-Joan of Arc, built where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431. Art enthusiasts can view Monet's paintings at the Musée des Beaux-Arts or discover the world's largest collection of wrought ironwork at the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles.
Getting to Rouen
You can reach Rouen from Paris in about 1.5 hours. Trains depart regularly from Paris Saint-Lazare station, with the journey taking around 1 hour 15 minutes. If you're driving, take the A13 motorway northwest from Paris. The nearest airport is Paris Charles de Gaulle, from where you can take a train or rent a car. Within Rouen itself, the compact city center is walkable, but there are also city buses and a light rail line for longer distances.
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Food and Markets
Try Norman dishes like Camembert cheese, apple cider, and seafood from the nearby coast. Local recipes include canard à la rouennaise (pressed duck), teurgoule (rice pudding), and fallue (a type of brioche). You'll find a daily market at Place du Vieux-Marché, while the larger Marché Saint-Marc takes place on weekends. For dining, visit La Couronne, which claims to be France's oldest inn, or check out the restaurants around Place du Vieux-Marché.
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