Things to Do in Rouen

Rouen's cathedral was immortalized in over 30 paintings by Claude Monet, who captured how its Gothic façade changed under different lighting conditions.

Joan of Arc was tried, convicted and executed by burning in Rouen in 1431, making it one of the most historically significant sites in medieval French history.

The city sits on the Seine River and served as the capital of Normandy, controlling crucial trade routes between Paris and the English Channel.

Rouen's half-timbered Old Town (Vieux Rouen) survived World War II bombing despite being heavily damaged, and many buildings were painstakingly reconstructed.

The city is home to the tallest church spire in France—the Église Saint-Maclou's tower reaches 151 meters, visible across the Seine valley.