Choice Between Reims or Rouen

Rouen for me. Did not like Reims at all, no charm whatsoever. Although the cathedral is impressive.

Rouen all the way. Spent a month there for work last summer.

I think the argument can go either way, but it would be hard to find someone who'd say Reims is in the same class, charm-wise. Those interested in the champagne cellars would presumably tilt toward Reims. And the cathedral is magnificent, with some of the best stained glass I've ever seen. I found the Surrender Museum in Reims perfectly fine, but about the least interesting WW II-related sight I've ever been to (and I've seen so many I've lost count; probably at least 20). This one is small, and OK. Worth seeing if you haven't been to others.

I think each traveler sort of needs to read about the sights in each city and weigh them from his or her own point of view. I'm glad I got to see both.

As you can see it is individual preference. Maybe look for some travel videos and see if one tickles your fancy more than the other.

For me I would choose Reims. A nice pedestrian-only area and spectacular Cathedral. I didn't have much free time but there is also a tram; if I was spending more time there I'd research where I could go on those. In contrast Rouen was larger but a bit harder to navigate. And of all the time I've spent in France I've never seen more beggars; they seemed to be every 100 yards in the main downtown. On the flip side if you're a Julia Childs fan you can eat at the very restaurant where she first ate when she arrived in France and had sole meunière.

Another personal preference based on my likings. Reims, because of WWI damage and the build up after, has the most extensive and perhaps finest examples of French Art Deco. There's lots on the web about this. The Carnegie Library is a masterpiece. I'm not at all interested in champagne or charm.

The choices you have are very different. Read widely and decide what's best for you. I've been to both many times and am glad I didn't have to give up either. Each is special in its own way.

I want to thank everyone for their input,my wife has no interest in Champagne and the travel time to Rouen is a little longer,i think that the train schedule will drive my decision.
Thanks to all who replied.

Both are well worth your time.

I've been to Reims but not to Rouen. I suggest seeing the cathedral in both, Rouen has a Napoleon statue.

If you're interested in WW2, I suggest also the Surrender Museum, where the Germans surrendered to on 6 May to Ike, the 2nd of the 4 surrenders they signed in 1945. The Museum is housed in the same building and room where the surrender took place, saw this once in 1984.

Reims was badly damaged in WW1 since it was in 1914 right on the battle line along with Meaux and Chateau-Thierry. In 1918 Reims was one of the German strategic objectives. Take the TGV direct to Reims; if you find it too drab, take the TER train back to Meaux for the big WW1 museum or to Chateau-Thierry where the American monument, the American Church are located. The monument is dedicated to the US 3rd Inf. Div. The Anglo-French cemetery from WW1 is also there. in Chateau-Thierry.

I'll state that I have not been to either, although Rouen has been on my list for a while. However, I understand Rouen was also half-destroyed during WWII and then rebuilt afterwards. Still, the cathedral (of which I have a very high-quality print of one of the Monet paintings hanging in my house from the Boston MFA) and the history relating Joan of Arc are what interest me most of this town. Oh if I had the time to visit both...

I liked the cathedral and Mumm's champagne house in Reims. There are also very limited Roman ruins and a fairly nice cafe area near the train station. It's kind of spread out so I can understand why someone wouldn't describe it as charming. The fast train requires a short connection to get into town so that adds a little time to the trip each way.

In Rouen, I was impressed with the size of the medieval center. It starts a few blocks from the station. There are blocks and blocks of half-timbered buildings and other historic sights. The connection to Joan of Arc is interesting though the sights related to her aren't the best. If you cover all of the medieval area in one day, your legs will be tired.

Given the choice of these two, I'd consider a day trip to Chartres (if you haven't already been there). It's about an hour by train, so more convenient for a day trip than either Reims or Rouen. It has a great cathedral and is a charming town.

Troyes is great. Hardly any non-French visitors when I was there, and tons of half-timbered buildings.

@ scythian...Troyes is easily accessible from Paris Est, great place too since it is very close to Brienne-le-Chateau, where a few years ago the expanded Napoleon Museum opened up.

It is in the historic building where Napoleon attended military school. Keep in mind too that Brienne was the first place where the Allies in their invasion of France in 1814 first tangled with Napoleon. They lost.