Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Rouen is nothing new. It was a regional capital during Roman times, and France's
second-largestcityinmedieval times(with40,000residents—only Parishadmore).Inthe
ninth century, the Normans made the town their capital. William the Conqueror called it
home before moving to England. Rouen walked a political tightrope between England and
France for centuries, and was an English base during the Hundred Years' War. Joan of Arc
was burned here (in 1431).
Rouen's historic wealth was built on its wool industry and trade—for centuries, it
wasthelastbridgeacrosstheSeineRiverbeforetheAtlantic.InAprilof1944,asAmerica
and Britain weakened German control of Normandy prior to the D-Day landings, Allied
bombers destroyed 50 percent of Rouen. And though the industrial suburbs were devast-
ated, most of the historic core survived, keeping Rouen a pedestrian haven.
Planning Your Time
If you want a dose of a smaller—yet lively—French city, Rouen is an easy day trip from
Paris,withconvenienttrainconnectionstoGareSt.Lazare(nearlyhourly,1.5hours).Con-
sideringtheconvenientParisconnectionandRouen'shandylocationinNormandy,drivers
can save money and headaches by taking the train to Rouen and picking up a rental car
there. Leave the car (with your bags in it) in the secure rental lot, and visit Rouen before
