{"id":7038660,"date":"2026-08-16T02:58:30","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T02:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/best-day-trips-from-rouen\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T02:58:30","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T02:58:30","slug":"best-day-trips-from-rouen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7038660","title":{"rendered":"Best Day Trips from Rouen"},"content":{"rendered":"


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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\u2019ve picked the right destination when you find yourself in a wonderful city that\u2019s also\u00a0close to lots of other places to explore.<\/p>\n

Rouen<\/a> is one of the most historic cities in France. It\u2019s a charming city with Gothic buildings, a world-famous cathedral and narrow, medieval streets that make you wonder which century you\u2019re in.\u00a0But our visit to Rouen was made even more special because it made such\u00a0a 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.<\/p>\n

Just a short drive from Rouen and you\u2019ll find yourself on the\u00a0beautiful Normandy coast<\/a> or in some of the prettiest villages in France. You can even go to Paris<\/a>. Here\u2019s our guide to the best day trips from Rouen, eight fantastic\u00a0places you can visit in less than 90 minutes from the city centre.<\/p>\n

Giverny<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Monet described the gardens that he created at his home in Giverny as his \u201cmost beautiful masterpiece\u201d. He lived here in Normandy for 43 years and the gorgeous gardens inspired some of his most famous paintings.<\/p>\n

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 C\u00e9zannes in the bedroom.<\/p>\n

Tip: Book in advance to avoid the queues to get in. You\u2019ll find it much less crowded if you visit in October than during the summer months.<\/p>\n

Time to get there from Rouen<\/strong><\/em>: 56 minutes by car.<\/p>\n

Monet\u2019s house and gardens<\/a> are open from March 22nd until November 1st. They are open daily from 9.30am until 6pm. Adults, \u20ac10.20; children, \u20ac7.20.<\/em><\/p>\n

Lyons-la-For\u00eat<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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We fell in love with the sleepy village on the edge of a forest where Madame Bovary was filmed. It\u2019s no wonder that it\u2019s considered one of the most beautiful villages in France \u2013 there\u2019s an 18th-century covered market, half-timbered houses (including one where Ravel composed some of his music) and a lovely market square surrounded by caf\u00e9s, restaurants and a very good p\u00e2tisserie (try the R\u00e9ligieuse \u2013 it\u2019s one of the best I\u2019ve ever had).<\/p>\n

This is the sort of village I\u2019d love to spend a few days in. It\u2019s such a pretty spot and the beech groves in the surrounding forest are said to be some of the most beautiful in Europe.<\/p>\n

But the village hasn\u2019t always been the sleepy idyll it is now \u2013 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).<\/p>\n

Time to get there from Rouen<\/strong><\/em>: 43 minutes by car.<\/p>\n

Honfleur<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"dayHonfleur has to be one of the world\u2019s prettiest harbours. The \u2018Vieux Bassin\u2019 is lined with tall, narrow 16th-to-18th-century townhouses \u2013 some colourfully painted, others with striking grey slate fronts. Sit at an outside table at one of the many caf\u00e9s and restaurants and eat fresh seafood washed down with Kir Normande (sparkling cider and blackcurrant liqueur).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

To find out more about visiting Honfleur, take a look at my guide to the best things to see and do there<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Time to get there from Rouen<\/strong><\/em>: 67 minutes by car.<\/p>\n

Versailles<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We couldn\u2019t 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The palace and its famous gardens are far too large to see everything but don\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> 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 \u2013 you\u2019ll be doing a lot of walking.<\/p>\n

Time to get there from Rouen<\/strong><\/em>: 90 minutes by car. \u00a0It may take you longer than this if you\u2019re travelling at rush hour.<\/p>\n

The Palace of Versailles<\/a> is open every day except Monday from 9am until 5.30pm. Adults, from \u20ac18; under 18s, free.<\/p>\n

\u00c9tretat<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"dayYou can find some of the most stunning scenery in France at \u00c9tretat on the Normandy Coast<\/a>. The white chalk cliffs are carved into dramatic arches and needles. There\u2019s even one that looks like an elephant dipping its trunk into the sea.<\/p>\n

\u00c9tretat 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 \u2013 it\u2019s a relatively easy walk made all the better for packing a picnic with treats bought from the local bakery.<\/p>\n

Time to get there from Rouen<\/strong><\/em>: 75 minutes by car.<\/p>\n

For more information on visiting \u00c9tretat, take a look at The Spectacular Cliffs at \u00c9tretat<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Les Andelys<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Richard the Lionheart\u2019s medieval castle sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the charming town of Les Andelys on the banks of the River Seine. It\u2019s an impressive sight yet Ch\u00e2teau Gaillard was built in less than two years. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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 caf\u00e9s and restaurants.<\/p>\n

Time to get there from Rouen<\/strong><\/em>: 52 minutes by car.<\/p>\n

Paris<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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You can be sitting outside one of the caf\u00e9s in Saint-Germain-des-Pr\u00e9s or Montmartre or taking in the art at the Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Orsay less than two hours after leaving Rouen.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> so it\u2019s best to plan carefully if you\u2019re only there for the day. Aim to limit yourselves to just a few favourites and factor in time for caf\u00e9 and restaurant stops as well.<\/p>\n

To help you plan, read my guide to our favourite things to do in Paris<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>, 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\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

Time to get there from Rouen<\/strong><\/em>: 70 to 90 minutes by train.<\/p>\n

Veules-les-Roses<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Victor Hugo used to holiday at Veules-les-Roses, another of Frances\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Veules-les-Roses is lovely \u2013 you\u2019ll find thatched-roof cottages, restored watermills and a couple of good restaurants. What\u2019s more, it\u2019s right on the beach so you\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

Time to get there from Rouen<\/strong><\/em>: 55 minutes by car.<\/p>\n

For more ideas about visiting Normandy, take a look at 5 Fantastic Places to visit in Normandy<\/a> and our Guide to Visiting Rouen<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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