Planning a trip outside of Paris for 3 nights. Looking for someplace with a great, walkable old town, lots of historical interest (we love medieval, Roman, etc), art historical significance a plus. Someplace lovely to stroll and explore. Which would you recommend? We have visited and love cities like Bayeaux, Amboise, Brugges.... Would look for something similar.
Posted by
1575 posts
We thoroughly enjoyed Rouen with a 2 night stay. We tried to stop in Reims for a few hours, and realize now that it was the annual farmer's market (or similar) and we couldn't get into the city, but folks on this forum have suggested Reims is worth a visit as well.
Not sure your mode of transportation, but I would think you could stop in Reims on your way to Rouen; and experience both.
Posted by
northern CA
3217 posts
see my trip report from Rouen last year at this time; if you look earlier in October '24 you'll see discussion of this same choice option
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
2580 posts
erica_m,
Just fyi, Reims is northeast of Paris and can be done in a long-ish day trip from Paris. It isn't on the way from Paris to Rouen.
Rouen is northwest of Paris, along the Seine, about a 2 hour drive. I would spend 2-3 nights there to have 1-2 full days. If you only stay 2 nights, you could have a half day after arrival and all day next day. You could see quite a bit in that time. The medieval section and cathedral are in a compact area. If you do have anotherfull day,you could see more of Rouen, or take a drive to the Route des Abbayes along the Seine for a visit to the fantastic ruins of the Abbaye de Jumieges. The drive is bucolic and lovely along D982.
In my experience, Rouen offers more of what you are looking for than does Reims. Reims has a cathedral at which nearly every French king was crowned, plus champagne tasting and the museum where the Germans signed the WWII surrender, but the town, although nice, isn't as lovely or romantic as Rouen. Rouen is very walkable, is known for the great food of Normandy, and a cathedral so lovely, that Monet painted it numerous times. And the Joan of Arc connection is just one of the historical interests there.
Amusez-vous bien!