"Rouen : both a modern and a medieval city." Top 5 Page for this destination Rouen by JLBG
Rouen Travel Guide: 480 reviews and 1,073 photos
Rouen began to grow at the Roman period under the name of Rotomagus, capital to the Véliocasses. It is situated on the Seine river at the place where was the last bridge between both banks before the sea. From the beginning, it was a trading place.
The Viking Rollon (845-933) took the baptism under the name of Robert and bacame the first earl of Normandie.
During the hundred years war, Rouen a strategic place between the king of france and the king of England. Jeanne d'Arc was burnt alive on the May 30th 1431.
Most of the building that can be seen in Rouen were built during the "golden century" Traders from Rouen, in association with the navigators from Dieppe control man trading routes and are very wealthy. This is when were built jewels such as the Cathedral, the Saint Maclou church, etc...
At the end of WW2, in connection to Dday, Rouen was severely hit by collateral domages due to bombing that was aimed to the destruction of all the bridges on the Seine, but that hit too a large part of the town, mostly close to the river. The Cathedrale Notre-Dame, Place du Vieux Marché, Église Saint-Maclou, the Palais de Justice were mostly destroyed. Rebuilding the main places, such as those cited here took merely 50 years and actually if a great deal has been done, there remains still parts still in reconstruction. Buildings of minor interest or too severely destroyed were not reconstructed.
The part of the old core of the city that had minor destruction hes been restored.
Rouen if the city in France where the old core is in the best condition and covers the widest area. It is still a living part of the city, not a preserved area as it can be found elsewhere, cities or part of cities living only for and by tourists.
This is not the case in Rouen. If there were no tourists in Rouen (which would be a shame !), life of the city would not be dramatically changed. Rouen is definitely a must visit, one of the (if not the) place to see what a medieval town looked like.
Reviews (128)
Excellent
Restaurants
(6)
Restaurant "les Maraîchers", also named "le bistrot de la Couronne" is among the oldest on the Place du Vieux Marché. As... more travel advice
Tower near the Gros Horloge
Favorites
(53)
Rouen has been severely hit by collateral damages from D-day and the bombing destroyed many ancient buildings.... more travel advice
19th century ?
Favorites
(53)
From what I have shown on other tips, it might seem that in Rouen, there are either very old remains of the past or very... more travel advice
Waterless fountain
Favorites
(53)
We have already seen on various occasions, that in Rouen, remains of the past and modernity are often tightly linked.... more travel advice
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Tourist Traps (1)
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Off The Beaten Path (4)
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Shopping (5)
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Local Customs (14)
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Transportation (2)
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Things to Do (43)
See All The bishops palace
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Rouen Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "Rouen : both a modern and a medieval city."
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JLBG
“I believe that tourists are very valuable to the modern world. It is very difficult to hate people you know. (Steinbeck)”
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- Replied to junkbabe's Travel Rouen Forum Forum Question "If you could only visit one,..."
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PhotographyLatest Rouen hotel reviews
- Comfort Hotel Rouen St-Sever
- 88 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 10, 2012 - La Maison Qui Penche
- 16 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 18, 2011 - Novotel Rouen Sud
- 119 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 4, 2012 - Mercure Hotel Rouen Centre
- 217 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 10, 2012 - Mercure Rouen Champ de Mars
- 60 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 17, 2011 - Hotel de la Gare
- 2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 1, 2009 - Ibis Rouen Champ De Mars
- 93 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 5, 2012 - Hotel D-house Rouen
- 5 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 4, 2012 - Eden Hotel Rouen
- 8 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Sep 4, 2011 - Le Pre Saint Germain Hotel Louviers
- 18 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 13, 2012 - Best Western Hotel du Vieux Marche Rouen
- 89 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 12, 2012 - Hotel de la Cathedrale
- 75 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 13, 2011 - Le Sisley
- 7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 8, 2011 - Hotel Arts Et Seine
- 18 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 2, 2012 - Etap Hotel Rouen
- 62 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 9, 2011
Comments (30)
Returned for another tour of your great pages here - we are planning a REAL return visit (after too many years absence) as soon as my broken leg learns to walk again!
You said no tourists. what to do and see, then? NO street gawking at those other people. This is one a a number of towns we hope to visit on trip to castles and elegance. Great presentation.
You have the distinction of having the only pg. on gravediggers and garbage collectors!! I'm grinning. Love the signs at the restaurants. Interesting town.
The pictures from Rue Martainville houses are excellent
HI JL - just starting to look at your Rouen pages - my sister "jumpingwithnorman" might go see it for a day when we're in Paris this September...will be back, Norman :)
Rouen really has a superb cathedral, though when we visited a bad rock group were giving a (loud) concert outside and it echoed right through. We loved the town regardless: you've reminded me that we must return.
After reading your page I quite agree with you, Jean-Louis, Rouen is really worth visiting. Giant and detailed job! Rouen is in my wish-places, especially its Cathedral. Pity, it's situated aside of my every year roads in Europe, but who knows?
Lots of great information. Hopefully i will be going to Rouen alot more clued up. Thankyou.
A super page. I love Rouen. Last time I visited it was freeeezing, all the fountains were ice. very picturesque but chilly for sightseeing! Bonjour from UK.
This is a wonderful page! I've wanted to visit this part of France for many years.. and I will. Merci bien.
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