Normandy, France · Europe
Rouen is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Sotteville-lès-Rouen, 32km from Château Gaillard.
Rouen is a city located in Normandy, France. With a population of 116,331, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Rouen sits in France, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Paris time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Rouen to your route.
The equestrian statue of Napoleon is a monument located at Place du Général-de-Gaulle in the French city of Rouen in Normandy. The equestrian statue depicts Napoleon on horseback and was erected in 1865. It was sculpted in bronze by Gabriel-Vital Dubray, and its pedestal was designed by Louis Desmarest. It stands inRead more
front of the Hôtel de Ville in Rouen.
In 1881, during the Third French Republic, the city's administration saw the statue of the emperor as contrary to their values. There were plans to melt it into a new statue of an effigy of the republic, or to remove the man and leave only the horse; these plans did not come to fruition due to lack of funds.
In June 2020, the statue was taken down for repairs. Fractures in the hoof of the horse meant that it could have fallen down. A treasure chest of bronze, silver and gold coins of Napoleon III – nephew of Napoleon I and the reigning emperor at the time of inauguration – was found inside the pedestal.
In September 2021, Socialist mayor Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol wished to replace it with a statue or work of art dedicated to the recently deceased feminist Gisèle Halimi. This plan was strongly opposed by the leader of the city's opposition, Jean-François Bures. Historian Thierry Lentz, director of the Fondation Napoléon, called the plan "cancel culture" and argued that Napoleon was a benefactor of Rouen, making him more locally relevant than Halimi.
In December 2021, a survey of 4,080 residents found that 68% wanted the statue to remain, and the city council said it would respect the result. Later in December 2021, the statue was registered as a monument historique.
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Rouen.
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Rouen.
Rouen offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Rouen with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Rouen as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Rouen is located in Normandy, France, Europe. The coordinates are 49.4431 latitude, 1.0993 longitude.
Rouen has a population of approximately 116,331 people, making it a city in France.
Add to your itinerary
Start planning your road trip with Rouen as a destination. Create a custom route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Start Road TripDiscover destinations like Tinder
Swipe through stunning destinations near Rouen. Save your favourites and add them to your trip.
Essential numbers in France
Carrying a warning triangle and hi-vis vest in your vehicle is mandatory. Motorway emergency phones connect to official breakdown services only.
Full driving guide for France7 notable places within an hour's drive.
historic highway
A fearsome downhill road circuit whose cobbled Nouveau Monde hairpin hosted five French Grands Prix. The track closed in 1994 and the pits were demolished, but the roads through the Normandy forest remain public and the hairpin is unmistakable.
14 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
Norman village of pink-and-ochre half-timbered houses around an 18th-century covered market hall, ringed by one of Europe's largest beech forests; Ravel composed here and Madame Bovary was filmed here twice.
28 km · about 30 min drive
castle
Richard the Lionheart's clifftop fortress ruins commanding a sweeping bend of the Seine at Les Andelys.
32 km · about 35 min drive
landmark
Claude Monet's enchanting home and gardens featuring the iconic Japanese bridge and water lily ponds he immortalized in paint.
52 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
Alabaster Coast village where the Veules, France's shortest river at 1,149 m: runs past watercress beds and watermills to a chalk-cliff beach; Victor Hugo was a regular.
53 km · about 60 min drive
landmark
Tiny Picardy hilltop village of timber and rose-covered brick where post-impressionist Henri Le Sidaner planted the gardens that still smother every facade in blooms each June.
55 km · about 65 min drive
bridge
A soaring cable-stayed bridge leaping 2 km across the Seine estuary between Le Havre and Honfleur; on opening in 1995 its 856 m main span was the longest of its kind in the world.
60 km · about 70 min drive
April to October
Other places to explore near Rouen.
Create your perfect itinerary with our calendar-based planner. Add stops, discover attractions along the way, and share your trip with friends.
Start Planning