Rouen is a port of call on Seine river cruises nearly year-round, with Avalon Waterways, Viking River Cruises, and Uniworld among the lines calling at this Normandy gateway.
Avalon Tapestry IIAvalon Waterways · docked in Rouen — track the ship live →
Viking RadgridViking River · docked in Rouen — track the ship live →
Viking KariViking River · docked in Rouen — track the ship live →
About The Port Of Rouen
Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, traces its story back more than two thousand years along the banks of the Seine. Richard the Lionheart was once crowned Duke of Normandy here, and the city is forever linked to Joan of Arc, who was tried and burned at the stake in its central square. Though much of Rouen was damaged during the Second World War, careful restoration has preserved its medieval character, including the soaring Gothic cathedral immortalized in Monet’s paintings and a warren of half-timbered houses along cobbled streets.
The old town lies within easy walking distance of the river landing, making it simple to wander from the cathedral square to bustling market streets and quiet side lanes. History runs deep here, from wartime memorials in the surrounding countryside to artisan shops and cafés tucked into centuries-old buildings, giving visitors a layered sense of place that rewards unhurried exploration.
Pavlus Recommendations
How our planners would spend a day in Rouen.
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
Step into the soaring Gothic nave Monet painted dozens of times, its facade a lacework of stone spires. It sits at the heart of the old town, just steps from the river landing.
Stand in Place du Vieux-Marché
See the square where Joan of Arc was executed, marked by a striking modern church and memorial cross. Market stalls and cafés ring the plaza, making it a natural pause on any walking route.
Wander the Gros-Horloge Street
Pass beneath the ornate Renaissance astronomical clock arching over a lane of half-timbered facades, one of Rouen's most photographed corners. Climb the belfry for rooftop views if time allows.
