Valle de Seine Airport is located 8 km from the city and only accepts domestic flights. From Russia it is most convenient to go to Rouen through Paris. Trains Paris – Rouen depart hourly from Saint-Lazare station, about 1.5 hours on the way, tickets – from 10 EUR. You can choose a bus: it will take longer (2 hours 40 minutes), but the trip will cost less – from 5 EUR. See MATERNITYETCHIC for France customs regulations and visa requirements.
Trains to Rouen also run from Zurich, Nice, Strasbourg, Marseille and other European cities. There are regular bus services from London, Madrid and Lisbon.
If you are going to fly from Rouen to Toulouse or other French cities, get to the Vallee de Seine airport by bus or taxi. Route number 13 goes to the Gendarmerie de Boos stop, located 500 meters from the terminal building. A taxi ride will cost 25 EUR.
Districts of Rouen
The Seine River divides Rouen into two parts: the left bank of the Rive Gauche and the right bank of the Rive Droit. All interesting sights are concentrated on the right coast, in the cozy Old Town. The labyrinth of narrow streets hides not only neat houses with carved shutters, gabled roofs and colorful flower pots on the balconies, but also real architectural gems. The main one is Rouen Cathedral, a magnificent example of Norman Gothic. Here is also the church of Saint-Maclou, built in 1437-1517. It is impossible to ignore everything connected with the name of Joan of Arc: the tower where the warrior was kept in captivity, and the church erected on the site of her execution. Another favorite place for tourists is the street near the tower.A large clock that has become a real symbol of the city.
The left bank of Rouen, the Rive Gauche, unconditionally gives the palm to the right in terms of the number of attractions. During the Second World War, it was completely bombed, so now modern buildings are everywhere: new residential areas and business centers, of little interest to travelers. And in the suburbs of Rouen, industry is in full swing: chemical, paper and engineering.
Transport
The historic center of Rouen is compact, it is quite possible to move around on foot. For longer distances, you can take a taxi, metro or TCAR buses, or rent a bike or scooter.
Three TEOR lines (Transport Est-Ouest Rouennais – Rouen’s public transport network) – T1, T2, T3 – connect the center with suburban areas on both banks of the Seine. In addition, the city has two overground metro lines: M and N, which also go beyond the center. These routes are convenient to use for independent travel around the nearest Rouen environs.
The bus network of Rouen (by the way, the most modern, thoughtful and orderly in France) has 28 bus routes and 15 collective taxis, which allows you to explore the city literally up and down.
The fare for public transport in Rouen is 1.60 EUR, a ticket for 10 trips costs 13.50 EUR. A day pass will cost 4.80 EUR. The main routes operate until 23:00, and for night owls there are so-called noctam’bus – buses that run throughout the night.
Bicycles can be rented at the Velo’R city program central rental located on rue Jeanne d’Arc, next to the metro station. There are classic and folding bikes (suitable for traveling by car), as well as electric models. Rental price – from 2 EUR per day, long-term rental is possible. The second option is the Cy’clic rental system, which is convenient because it allows you to return the bike to any of the 14 points. On a bicycle, you can move not only around the city, but also in the surrounding area, for example, along the network of bike paths in the Rumar forest.
A motor scooter can be rented at avenue de Bretagne, 12. Please note that scooters must be booked in advance during the high season.
While in Rouen, don’t miss the opportunity to cross the Seine on one of the ferries. They leave regularly from the river stations at Canteleu, Jumieges and La Bouille.
Rent a Car
It is convenient to move around the historical center of Rouen on foot, but if you plan to explore the surroundings, drive to the left bank or even visit other cities, we recommend renting a car. Hertz and Europcar rental offices are open at Valle de Seine Airport, at the train station and elsewhere in the city. Most of them do not work on weekends. A small car can be rented for 45 EUR, a medium class car – from 80 EUR per day.
In Rouen, as in many other French cities, a parking relay system is provided: the car is left in one of the parking lots located near the metro lines. On the issued receipt, you can take the metro to the city center for free, and then return to the car.
The roads in Rouen are good, there are few traffic jams. On the contrary, there are many parking lots: free parking lots are located on the outskirts, and paid parking lots in the center. In almost all central street parking lots, you can leave your car for only 2 hours, but at night and on Sundays, places are free here. Some parking lots have daily rates for 10–15 EUR.
