An Insider Tour of France’s Most Underrated Medieval City – Rouen, France

An Insider Tour of France’s Most Underrated Medieval City – Rouen, France

Though you might think you’ve seen medieval Europe, but Ruan, France is something else. This city doesn’t just preserve history. It truly lives in it. Cobblestone streets wind through half-timbered houses. Gothic spires pierce the sky. And every corner feels like a story waiting to be told. Ruan is where Jonavar met her fate. where Monae found his light and where time seems to pause just long enough for you to take it all in. Now, join me on a journey as we explore this fascinating Normandy city. Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of Project Gaia. JP here and today we are in Ruan, France. Now, Ruan, France is actually a pretty large city in France. Um, but not a lot of people know about it. It is um the capital of Normandy. So we are in the kind of north central part of France about two hours from Paris and there are trains that go directly um from Paris to Wuan. Now Ruan is a fascinating city. It is filled with this amazingly beautiful medieval architecture everywhere you look and it has some fascinating sites. So we’re going to explore all those. and it has a fascinating cathedral and it really feels like you’re in a medieval city, a medieval village. Um, now there are some modern buildings around Ruan too because Rouan was actually hit very hard during World War II. So the medieval structures that you see are remaining, but they were heavily restored in order to, you know, bring them back to their former glory. But what we’re going to do on this video is we’re going to explore this amazing city and I’m going to show you the best things to do and see while you’re here in Rwan. So let’s begin. So where we are now is Leage. Right now this is the main thoroughfare here in Ruan. Right? So you’re going to see tons of restaurants, tons of stores, a lot of people. This is the tourist center as well. So, what’s cool about it is all of these stores, restaurants, bars, they’re all housed in these medieval timber frame buildings, right? And it’s so interesting because it’s kind of between these Hosman style architecture. So, you see like 17th, 18th century buildings mixed in with the medieval buildings and they’re all used. I mean, they’re they’re they’re fully utilized. It’s not like a museum. It’s like a living place, right? And it’s just an awesome place to just walk through and there’s a lot of street life. There’s tons of people hanging out and um it gets real busy too. So, make sure you take a stroll through here. Uh you know, absorb the beautiful architecture. Stop in some of the shops, get a coffee, grab a beer, and uh just enjoy all the beautiful sites that Ruan has to offer from this main street. [Music] The first thing you need to check out is Legro Olage. It’s one of Ruan’s most iconic landmarks and one of the oldest working clocks in Europe. Built in the 14th century, this massive astronomical time piece has been keeping time for nearly 700 years. It’s mounted over a Renaissance arch that spans the street. And if you look closely, you’ll see it only has one hand because back then minutes didn’t really matter. The mechanism inside still the original, powered by a complex system of gears and weights. Walk under it and you’re literally passing through history. This isn’t just a clock. It’s a reminder that time has always moved a little differently here in Ruan. Now, a must do when you’re here in Ruan is to see Ruan Cathedral, which is behind me. The formal name is Cathedral de Notradam de Ruan which means uh Notradam Cathedral of of Ruan and Notraam means our lady. So you’ll notice um Notraam is used in so many churches in France. That’s often the name I’ve noticed. Um but what’s so beautiful about it is it is just an amazingly ornate historical cathedral with amazing Gothic features. Um it was began in the 11th century, right? And in the 1800s, late 1800s, it was the largest building in the world for like four or five years. Um, but it’s an amazingly beautiful cathedral and it has so much history and so much character and it really makes you feel inspired and happy to be here. So, let’s head in. [Music] Ruan Cathedral is more than just a church. It’s a timeline carved in stone. Construction began in the 1100s, but what stands today is a patchwork of centuries. Gothic arches soar overhead, stained glass windows filter the light in deep reds and blues, and the stone floor has been worn smooth by generations of footsteps. One of the most surprising things about this place is it’s the final resting place of Rolo, the Viking warrior who became the first Duke of Normandy. He went from raider to ruler and his tomb lies here, quiet and weathered but still standing. That alone ties this cathedral to a thousand years of European history. The cathedral’s size is staggering. But it’s the details that stop you. The way the light shifts through the glass, the echoes under the vated ceilings, the quiet that feels almost sacred. Monae painted the facade dozens of times, but in here it’s all shadow and stillness. Time stretches, sound fades, and you’re reminded that faith, power, and beauty once spoke the same language. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] Now, one thing that tourists do when they come here to Ruan is they stick to the medieval quarter. And though the medieval quarter is absolutely beautiful and fascinating, there are lots of other areas to the city. Um, once you get out of the medieval area, there’s a lot of Hosman style architecture, even mixed with a pretty modern architecture. And the reason for that is because Rouan actually suffered a great deal in World War II. a lot of its buildings were completely destroyed and mutilated. Um, and what is left is restored, right? So, they tried to restore everything to its original beauty, but some things just couldn’t be saved, right? So, you’ll get some modern structures in between, but even some of the ones from like the, you know, the 18th and 19th century, they’re equally as beautiful. But when you’re in Ruan, get out of the medieval quarter a little bit, although it is fun to be in there, right? and see that Uran is a functioning French city. Some of these cities are so small and they’re built on one landmark or one district within their city. Um, and then everything else is kind of ignored or it’s mainly for tourism. Ruan is not that. Ruan is a real city. There’s workers here. There’s lunch spots. There’s stores. There’s grocery stores. All kinds of things like that. So, make sure you uh, you know, wander a little bit and learn a little bit more about the city. And the best way to do that is on foot really. I mean, these are very small, you know, French European style streets. So, you’re not going to want to be, you know, driving around between places. You’re going to want to walk. And walking really helps you because it gets you in there. It gets you on the street with the people and it really kind of connects you to the place. So, one place that is definitely worth a look um a little bit off the beaten path when you’re visiting Ruan is the Abbe de Jumi, which is where we are now. Now, this is about a 30 to 40 minute drive from Ruan. Uh, if you have a car, it’s well worth the stop. If you don’t have a car, there are buses and water taxis that will actually take you from the center of Ruan to the abbey. Now, this abbey is absolutely fascinating. It’s about a thousand years old. It was built between the 1040s and 1060s. And William the Conqueror actually was here for its opening. So, it has an amazingly fascinating history. And it’s although it’s not a church anymore or an abbey anymore, it has these beautiful grounds that are almost ethereal and you walk around them and you really feel connected to the history of this place. Um, also there’s a nice little town around too. So there’s a, you know, a lot of little cafes and restaurants and little stores with lingeries, uh, brasaries and you can, you know, stop there for for lunch and then check out and explore the abbey. So what we’re going to do is we’re going to go through the abbey a little bit. I’m going to explain its history to you and learn a little bit more about it. So, let’s begin. [Music] About 30 minutes outside of Rwan is the Abbe de Jumi, what’s left of one of the oldest and most important monasteries in France. It was founded back in the 7th century and over the centuries it grew into a massive religious complex supported by royalty and packed with influence. At its peak, hundreds of monks lived and worked here. But like a lot of religious sites in France, the abbey didn’t survive the revolution. It was abandoned, stripped for stone, and left to decay. What you see today is the skeleton. two massive towers, some walls, and open sky where the roof used to be. Still, the scale is impressive. Those towers are nearly 150 ft tall, and walking through the ruins gives you a real sense of how big this place was. It’s quiet, it’s peaceful, and unlike the big tourist spots, you’ve probably got it mostly to yourself. If you’re into history or just want some space to breathe, Jumi J is definitely worth the stop. [Music] Now, one little tip and trick when you’re visiting the abbey, come early in the morning like when I did. So, I got here at 9:30 in the morning, and I have the entire place to myself. So, I have the entire abbey, the church, the grounds, and the the trails and the walkways and the gardens literally all to myself. There’s like maybe one other person. So, it gets busier later, you know, if you come at like afternoon 2 3 4. So if you come right when it opens, you have this whole beautiful, glorious, historic place all to yourself. [Music] So, if you’re not already aware, Ruan is the city famous for Jonavar. So, Jonavar was actually executed right here, right in this neighborhood that we’re in right now. Right. So, if you don’t know too much about Jonavar and you want to learn a little bit more about her fascinating and holy story, I recommend you come here. This is the muse the Jean Ar historic. So the historical Jean Arc Museum. So in here it’s kind of an immersive experience. You can learn all about her life and why she is such an important historical figure and holy and spiritual figure for the city of Rwan. So let’s head in. The historical Je Ark isn’t your typical museum. It’s built inside the Archbishop’s Palace, which is the actual place where Jonah Var was tried and sentenced in 1431. Instead of glass cases and dusty artifacts, you walk through a multimedia experience that tells her story room by room. It’s in French, but they have it in an audio guide in several languages. It’s immersive, modern, and surprisingly intense. You follow Joan rise, her capture, and her trial, all backed by historical records and reenactments. Whether you know her story or not, this place hits different. It’s not just about what happened. It’s about how it felt. And by the end, you understand why she became a legend and such an important piece of Ruan’s history. [Music] Now, for sure, one of the best things to do in Ron is simply to walk around. I mean, the whole place is a living medieval history museum. I mean, you just look up and you can just imagine them throwing chamber pots out the window and just horses in the street and it just, you know, all markets and everything like that. Just exactly what you think of when you think of the medieval era and like a city in medieval times. is just littered throughout this entire city. Now, when you walk um we’ve seen some boulevards which are kind of like the centers where you know plazas are on and a lot of the stores and stuff, but I encourage you to get off of those and to meander through some of the smaller alleyways, right? Because they’re really interesting. They’re very quiet and they’re so close together and you can really get a taste of the medieval architecture best when you’re kind of by yourself and in these little alleys. [Music] [Music] So where we are now is the Plast View Marsh. Now what this is now is a plaza and it always has been a sort of plaza, right? So all around you are these beautiful tall half-timber frame medieval buildings, right? And underneath them there’s tons of restaurants, cafes, stores. It really is an amazing place to hang out, people watch, and just kind of enjoy the day, right? But it has a darker history. So this is the exact place where Jonavar was executed at the age of 19 in the 1400s. So you know it’s fascinating because some of these buildings that are along this plaza would have been there when she was burned at the stake. Now what they have done is they have created a church here. this kind of modern church behind me and this church was built to represent her story and to show the city of UA’s great adornment of her. I mean, she really is the poster child of Ruan, right? And you know, we learned about her story in the museum, but here you can actually feel it. This is the place where it happened. So though it may look beautiful now with all the people out and the dining and the wine and the coffee and just just general merry making this place is a very special sacred and spiritual place for the people of Irwan. The Gleon Jearch was built in 1979 and it looks nothing like the medieval cathedrals around it. Inside, the design is modern and symbolic, shaped like an upturned boat or a flickering flame. Stained glass windows rescued from a bombed out 16th century church flood the space with color. It’s quiet, reflective, and more about presence than grandeur. [Music] Then step outside and you’re standing on one of the most important historical sites in France. In the center of the Plast Dev Marsh, a single cross marks the exact spot where Jeanavar was executed in 1431. It’s understated but powerful and it puts everything around it into perspective. [Music] Now, one street that’s a little bit more modern is called Leu De. So, that’s where we are now. Now, it’s a bustling street. It’s right next to a university, so there’s a lot of young people and there’s just music filled the filling the air. I mean, you could hear it behind me. Um, lots of stores, uh, lots of restaurants, um, some boutique and some high-end stores. So, if you want to do some shopping, this is a good place to go. [Music] One place that you cannot miss when you’re here in Rwan is the Muse de Boak dean. So the Museum of Fine Arts of Rwan. Now, this is an amazing museum. It’s one of the finest art museums in France and it has a lot of works from Monae and a lot of impressionist stuff because this area of France is known as kind of the birthplace of impressionism. So, it’s a beautiful museum and it’s filled with tons of interesting art and artifacts. And right next to it is a really booming cool park and there’s just like kids playing, people hanging out, lovers kissing. and truly is beautiful. So, we’re going to check out the park for a little bit and then we’re going to head into the museum. So, let’s go. [Music] Just outside the old medieval core, Square Charles Verdrell is a breath of fresh air. This peaceful park is lined with chestnut trees, walking paths, and locals lounging on benches. It’s the kind of place where you go grab a coffee, slow down, and take in the rhythm of the city. There’s a pond, a few statues, and a laid-back energy that gives you a break from the narrow cobbled streets just a few blocks away. [Music] [Music] Right next to the square is the Musea de Bo Arts Deuon, one of the most important fine arts museums in France outside of Paris. The building is classic and elegant, and inside it holds a serious collection. You’ll find everything from Renaissance religious art to massive 19th century canvases that feel larger than life. There’s a strong showing of French masters, De Laqua, Jeeku, and Kuro, plus Italian and Dutch works that show just how connected Rouan once was to Europe’s bigger cultural picture. [Music] The layout of the museum is clean and uncluttered. You’re not squeezing through crowds or overwhelmed by walls of text. Each room is well spaced and easy to follow with natural lighting that makes the artwork really stand out. The collection is broad, covering centuries of European art, but the way it’s curated keeps it approachable. It feels serious but not stiff. More like a place that wants you to explore than just observe. One of the museum’s highlights is its impressionist collection. Ruan played a big role in that movement. Monaet painted here a lot and the museum leans into that legacy. There are works by Mune, Sizzle, Pizarro, and others who capture Normy’s light and landscapes with loose emotional brush work. You don’t just see the paintings, you feel the atmosphere they were chasing. And then something unexpected, a piano. Somewhere deeper in the museum, someone plays it softly. It echoes through the halls, mixing with the footsteps and quiet murmurss. You’re walking past centuries of art with live music in the background. It’s a simple moment, but one that makes the place feel alive. [Music] Now, one place that you definitely have to check out is La Kong. Now, this is the oldest tavern or inn in France, right? So, it has this beautiful old interior and has some of the best fine dining in France. A lot of famous people have been here. Um, so if you really want kind of that classic French cuisine in an historic atmosphere, definitely check this out. [Music] This time my [Music] so I ended up getting the duck breast which is really a French classic and from here I heard it’s really good. So you want to get it medium right? So in America, a lot of people get stuff well done. You don’t want to do that. It kind of ruins the flavor. So get it medium and it comes with this amazing gravy sauce all around it. An appetizer of crab for it. So that was really good. And then I got a salt million grand crew. So the Grand Crew is very very good. Um I have a video all about sillion here in France. Check that out as well. It’s one of the most beautiful medieval French wine towns near Bordeaux. So if you’re in France, try to get Santillion. I find it is the smoothest French wine and it’s cheaper here than it is in the US or other countries. So definitely get that. There are other things on the menu, but I really like the dog and it truly is savory and amazing. Definitely check out this restaurant over here. if not for the just amazing history of being in this amazingly old venue, but also for the food and the wine. Okay, everyone, this was Ruan, France. Now, I had an amazing time showing you all this amazingly historic, friendly, and lively city. It truly is an underrated destination, and you have to see it if you’re in Northern France or even have a couple of days to spare when you’re in Paris. It truly is a fascinating city. Listen guys, if you like this kind of content, please subscribe if you haven’t already. Uh like this video, share this video, and leave me your comments and questions below. I get back to all comments sooner or later. Okay, guys. Until next time, take care. Bye.

Join me on a walking tour through Rouen, France — one of the most underrated medieval cities in Normandy, France. In this full travel guide, we’ll explore everything from the towering Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen to the quiet charm of Square Charles Verdrel, and uncover some true hidden gems in France along the way.

We visit the incredible Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen, walk through Joan of Arc’s final moments at Place du Vieux-Marché, and experience the energy of modern Rouen mixed with its deep historical roots. Whether you’re planning a trip, studying in Rouen, France, or just curious about what to see in Rouen, this guide has you covered.

📍Highlights include:
– Rouen Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen)
– Gros-Horloge & medieval streets
– Joan of Arc Church and Historical Museum
– Beaux-Arts Museum of Rouen
– Local parks, squares, and day-to-day life
– Vibes of Normandy and Normandy travel tips

This is more than just a Rouen France walking tour — it’s a look into one of the most historic and visually stunning cities in France.

📌 Like, subscribe, and follow for more France travel vlogs, guides, and hidden gems.

#France #Normandy #Rouen #NormandyFrance #BestThingsToDoInRouen #RouenFranceWalkingTour #RouenTravelGuide #RouenFrancia #HiddenGemsInFrance #RouenFranceVlog #FranceRouen #RouenVlog #RouenFranceTravel #RouenCathedral #NormandyTravel #WhatToSeeInRouen #RouenNormandy #CathédraleNotreDameDeRouen #StudyingInRouenFrance

00:00 Introduction
01:56 Rue Gros Horlage
02:55 Le Gros Horlage
03:52 Rouen Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen)
06:36 Exploring Outside the Medieval Quarter
08:14 Abbaye de Jumiges
11:49 Historical Jeanne D’Arc
13:42 Wandering the Medieval Alleys
15:00 Eglise Jeanne D’Arc
17:24 Rue Des Carmes
18:35 Square Charles Verdrell
20:01 Musee Des Beaux-Arts
22:40 La Couronne

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