While staying in Paris, we carved out a half day to hop the train and explore the charming city of Rouen.
We didn’t have a plan — just a beautiful spring day, a train ticket, and curiosity.
What a surprise Rouen was! A half day was great but we could have easily spent a few days exploring.
Rouen gave us history, calm streets, friendly faces, and sunshine — all within a few walkable blocks.
We caught a train from Paris to Rouen — it was quick, easy, and super relaxing.
You leave the big city behind and roll into a smaller, quieter one with cobblestones, half-timbered houses, and cathedral spires.
First of all what a gorgeous train station!
The weather was perfect. Warm sun, blue skies, and just enough breeze to make it feel like spring had arrived early.
The whole city center felt laid-back and local — people were out walking, sipping drinks in sidewalk cafes, relaxing in church courtyards and public squares.
We had no agenda. We just walked.
We wandered toward Rouen Cathedral, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks — gothic, towering, and beautifully weathered.
There, we met a kind priest who stopped to chat with us.
He spoke about the history of the building and about his love of the cathedrals of Rouen.
It was one of those small, meaningful travel moments you don’t see coming — and that’s exactly why we loved this trip.
The best part of Rouen was just… being there.
- We strolled through the Place du Vieux Marché where Joan of Arc was executed.
- We admired the medieval clock tower (Gros-Horloge).
- We sat for coffee, watched people walk dogs and chat in the square.
- We let the city unfold without rushing it.
The Rouen Cathedral stopped us in our tracks.
Towering, intricate, and weathered with history, it felt less like a building and more like a living monument.
The play of light through the stained glass, the quiet inside, and the sheer scale of the structure were absolutely stunning — one of the most beautiful cathedrals we’ve ever stepped into.
After a few hours, we walked back to the station and caught the train back to Paris.
No checklist, no pressure — just a perfect little escape into a city that gave us more than we expected.
When we go back to France we’d consider staying in Rouen and basing the adventure from there. We really fell in love with it!