Forget Paris: Why ROUEN is The Most Underrated City in France
Rouen, France, is one of the most underrated cities in France and an incredible alternative to Paris, just a short train ride away. In this Rouen, France travel guide, we’ll show you the best things to do in Rouen, how to visit on a budget, and whether it’s worth a day trip from Paris or a longer Normandy stay.
If you’re looking for a budget‑friendly French city with history, charm, and amazing food (without Paris crowds or prices), this Normandy gem needs to be on your itinerary.
In this Rouen, France video, we cover:
• Top things to do in Rouen on a budget
• How to plan a Rouen day trip
• Walking Rouen’s medieval streets and old town
• Rouen Cathedral and Joan of Arc sites
• How to add Rouen to your Normandy travel itinerary
• Is Rouen worth visiting? Our honest thoughts
Whether you’re planning a full Normandy itinerary or just considering a quick Paris day trip, this Rouen, France travel guide will help you decide if Rouen is worth it and how to travel France the smart, affordable way.
WHERE TO STAY IN ROUEN:
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25 Comments
Hi guys!!! How many countries so far? and I have a question, After how many years traveling like you guys I will be satisfied? I'm asking because traveling nonstop its something I've always wanted to do and I want to have an idea of how many years I would have to take aside to do it to the point where id be able to say: I can die happy because I saw a lot of places😂?
I loved seeing Rouen in 2024. Can’t wait to go back my next time in France!!
T exact reason.
Another great video.. After seeing the video, $90 well spent. I would say it is Strasbourg without as many tourists. We visited France in 2024. But I will definitely go back to see a lot of places, including this hidden gem.
Rouen is nicknamed "the city of a thousand bell towers." Because of its many churches as you may have noticed.
Rouen is very nice. Over a decade ago, my best male Parisian friend and I jumped on a train and headed to Rouen for the day. It was very relaxing and laid back and the weather was a picture-perfect spring day. It was nice for us to just get out of Paris for a relaxing day.
Three other nice places are Honfleur, Deauville, and Trouville. One day, my other best Parisian friend and I jumped into her car, took off, and headed to Honfleur for lunch and then on to Deauville for apple cider and Trouville-Sur-Mer to walk along the beach. Neither place was crowded and while walking along the beach, we were the only ones there.
Greetings from Los Angeles
Brian, the next time you are on a princess ship and you want a good cookie, go to the marketplace cafe where they have coffee and small bites, walk up to the counter and ask for 2 peanut butter cookies. They will look at you strangely and go in the back and bring you out some pretty tasty peanut butter cookies. I have no idea why they keep them hidden in the back but they do. Also, and you’ll owe me a beer for the next tip, when you are having dinner in the main dining room and you are ready for dessert, ask them for a banana split, they aren’t on the menu and they make a damn good one. When they bring it to your table, you are going to get some jealous/curious looks from others. Enjoy!
I live in Rouen and thought I would share a couple interesting tidbits that you missed. If you look at the Palais du Justice (Parliament) at the beginning of your video you can still see the bullet holes from when Rouen was invaded by the Nazis. Also at 18:35 on your video you filmed, outside of the Église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc is the cross where Jeanne of Arc was burnt at the stake. Glad you enjoyed Rouen, it's a lovely city.
Rouen looks so cool, thanks for sharing this place🤙👍
It's a pain au chocolat 😂
The cookie discussion is real! Have some restraint, people. Don't ruin it for the rest of us.
What a picturesque town! Thanks for sharing!
I don’t even need to watch this video (which I will) to totally agree about Rouen- been there 3 times and LOVE it!!!
France the ultra secular country full of churches everywhere !
So… my great grandfather was born in France with his generations of being bakers. He moved to Louisiana, and his son (my grandfather)opened up aFrench bakery there. I took French in high school and some in college-in hopes to be able to spend some time there. Then I got married/busy with a family until a few years ago. Decided to make sure my dream happened… so I got a part time job and am saving up for a 3 month stay in France. Was originally going to stay in just one area and soak up time in a small French village. My husband wants me to tweak this a bit, and perhaps stay in 3 different areas – each a month each- so Thanks for this, will strongly consider this as one of the areas! ❤
I was excited to see your video in France. Gargoyles are one of my favorite things. I'll be working my way over from Southeast Asia in the fall and I am really looking forward to it. Thank you for your videos, I always learn stuff. Happy Trails!
Monet, the famous Impressionist Painter, paired the Rouen Church and it was a series of paintings. Very famous and stunning. I looked it up because when you showed the Church it looked familiar like it might have been the Church in the Monet paintings. Wah-lah! It is.
You guys are soooo awesome !! I absolutely love watching your videos and your banter with each other !!!
Loving this series guys! Videos are short but give a great sense of what you saw in a quick visit.
Love Rouen. It is one of at least fifty cities worth visiting in France. We cycle across France every year in a different direction but you can link up dozens of stunning cities by train. Other than Paris and maybe half a dozen others, France is mostly quiet and August is empty as the French are at the beach. We’ve been going for over 20 years – it never gets boring. Enjoy
Should start another channel called Cruise Cookies. Holland America had some decent chocolate chip, but they hardly ever put them out.
We stayed there a week last October. Great place to stay and much cheaper than Paris. Rented a car and toured the beaches of Normandy and Monet’s Garden. Loved that city.
Looks like a darling town–would love to visit! Go to Paris for at least four days. Thanks for another great video!❤
I really enjoyed the video. In general, I like that your videos are not overly produced and you let your personalities shine. Now an important question, do you have a favorite Beer?
My favorite country in the world!❤