Best Day Trips from Rouen
Do you ever decide to go somewhere because of all the great places to visit nearby? The day trips that you can do from Rouen in Normandy are all amazing. You know you’ve picked the right destination when you find yourself in a wonderful city that’s also close to lots of other places to explore.
Rouen is one of the most historic cities in France. It’s a charming city with Gothic buildings, a world-famous cathedral and narrow, medieval streets that make you wonder which century you’re in. But our visit to Rouen was made even more special because it made such a great base for exploring more of Normandy and even further afield, to places like the gardens at Giverny and the Palace of Versailles, which had been on our travel wish list for years.
Just a short drive from Rouen and you’ll find yourself on the beautiful Normandy coast or in some of the prettiest villages in France. You can even go to Paris. Here’s our guide to the best day trips from Rouen, eight fantastic places you can visit in less than 90 minutes from the city centre.
Giverny
Monet described the gardens that he created at his home in Giverny as his “most beautiful masterpiece”. He lived here in Normandy for 43 years and the gorgeous gardens inspired some of his most famous paintings.
Visitors today can wander round these same gardens. You can see the waterlily ponds, the Japanese bridge and the weeping willows. The flower beds in front of the house are a riot of colour. Spend time in the house too, which has been furnished as it would have been when the Monets lived here, with a bright yellow dining room, Hiroshiges on the walls and Cézannes in the bedroom.
Tip: Book in advance to avoid the queues to get in. You’ll find it much less crowded if you visit in October than during the summer months.
Time to get there from Rouen: 56 minutes by car.
Monet’s house and gardens are open from March 22nd until November 1st. They are open daily from 9.30am until 6pm. Adults, €10.20; children, €7.20.
Lyons-la-Forêt
We fell in love with the sleepy village on the edge of a forest where Madame Bovary was filmed. It’s no wonder that it’s considered one of the most beautiful villages in France – there’s an 18th-century covered market, half-timbered houses (including one where Ravel composed some of his music) and a lovely market square surrounded by cafés, restaurants and a very good pâtisserie (try the Réligieuse – it’s one of the best I’ve ever had).
This is the sort of village I’d love to spend a few days in. It’s such a pretty spot and the beech groves in the surrounding forest are said to be some of the most beautiful in Europe.
But the village hasn’t always been the sleepy idyll it is now – it used to be the home of the Dukes of Normandy and King Henry I of England died here from food poisoning in 1135 after eating too many lampreys (a type of jawless eel).
Time to get there from Rouen: 43 minutes by car.
Honfleur
The medieval town itself is just as pretty. Half-timbered houses line the narrow cobbled streets and you can visit the wonderfully quirky museum in the home of composer, Erik Satie, the fantastic food market and the largest tropical butterfly house in France.
To find out more about visiting Honfleur, take a look at my guide to the best things to see and do there.
Time to get there from Rouen: 67 minutes by car.
Versailles
We couldn’t resist a visit to one of the most famous palaces in the world. The Palace of Versailles is all splendour, opulence and bling and has to be seen to be believed. In the 17th century, King Louis XIV transformed his father’s hunting lodge outside Paris into the largest palace in Europe and it became the principal royal home of the kings of France from 1682 until 1789 when King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette were forced out at the beginning of the French Revolution.
The palace and its famous gardens are far too large to see everything but don’t miss the magnificent Hall of Mirrors, lined with crystal chandeliers and more than 350 mirrors, the beautiful chapel and the vast gardens with their fountains and garden groves. We also loved the Petit Trianon and the Hameau de la Reine, the model farm and village where Marie Antoinette used to play at being a peasant.
Tip: More people visit Versailles than the Eiffel Tower so book tickets in advance and get there when it opens at 9am to avoid the worst queues. And wear comfortable shoes – you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Time to get there from Rouen: 90 minutes by car. It may take you longer than this if you’re travelling at rush hour.
The Palace of Versailles is open every day except Monday from 9am until 5.30pm. Adults, from €18; under 18s, free.
Étretat
Étretat was originally a fishing village but became a popular seaside resort in the 19th century when Impressionist painters like Monet and Gustave Courbet came to paint here. You can appreciate the landscape best by walking up the cliffs – it’s a relatively easy walk made all the better for packing a picnic with treats bought from the local bakery.
Time to get there from Rouen: 75 minutes by car.
For more information on visiting Étretat, take a look at The Spectacular Cliffs at Étretat.
Les Andelys
Richard the Lionheart’s medieval castle sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the charming town of Les Andelys on the banks of the River Seine. It’s an impressive sight yet Château Gaillard was built in less than two years. It’s now in ruins but you can climb around the walls and the dungeons where two medieval princesses were imprisoned in the 14th century. One of them, Margaret, wife of the King of France, was murdered here and her ghost is said to haunt the castle.
It’s an easy stroll back down the hill to Petit Andely, the prettiest part of the town (Grand Andely is a bit further away). Here you can wander along the riverbank and stop for a bite to eat at one of the inviting cafés and restaurants.
Time to get there from Rouen: 52 minutes by car.
Paris
You can be sitting outside one of the cafés in Saint-Germain-des-Prés or Montmartre or taking in the art at the Musée d’Orsay less than two hours after leaving Rouen.
From climbing up the Eiffel Tower and taking a boat trip down the Seine to eyeing up the gargoyles of Notre Dame or shopping in the Marais, there are a thousand and one things to do in Paris so it’s best to plan carefully if you’re only there for the day. Aim to limit yourselves to just a few favourites and factor in time for café and restaurant stops as well.
To help you plan, read my guide to our favourite things to do in Paris.
Paris can make a surprisingly easy and rewarding addition, especially for anyone who wants to pair landmark sightseeing with something more personal. Beyond the major museums and monuments, one of the best ways to experience the city is through Airbnb Experiences, where visitors can join locally hosted activities that add depth to a day in the capital. Options range from guided food walks and photography sessions to art, history, and neighbourhood-focused experiences that help travellers see a more personal side of Paris. If you’re considering a Rouen itinerary with a bit of variety, Paris stands out not just for its famous attractions, but for the chance to connect with the city through Airbnb Experiences hosted by people who know it best.
Time to get there from Rouen: 70 to 90 minutes by train.
Veules-les-Roses
Victor Hugo used to holiday at Veules-les-Roses, another of Frances’s most beautiful villages. The village is on the bank of the River Veules, which, at only one kilometre long, is the shortest river in France.
Veules-les-Roses is lovely – you’ll find thatched-roof cottages, restored watermills and a couple of good restaurants. What’s more, it’s right on the beach so you’ve got the double whammy of pretty village and a day at the beach with the impressive white cliffs of the Alabaster Coast on either side.
Time to get there from Rouen: 55 minutes by car.
For more ideas about visiting Normandy, take a look at 5 Fantastic Places to visit in Normandy and our Guide to Visiting Rouen.
