Rouen Old Town Self-Guided Walking Tour with App

Medieval Rouen on your schedule: cathedral, Joan of Arc, Viking fortress, and half-timbered streets

A self-guided audio walking tour of Rouen's Old Town with a downloadable app, 25+ narration points, and an offline map covering medieval streets, Gothic churches, museums, and sites tied to Joan of Arc, Norman conquest, and WWII. The tour takes 3 to 4 hours and suits all fitness levels. You control the pace and stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Rouen's historic landmarks

• Visit Aître Saint-Maclou ossuary
• Marvel at Église Saint-Maclou church
• Stroll Rue St-Romain street
• See Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
• Walk Rue du Gros-Horloge street
• Discover Place Dominique Laboubée square
• Admire Parlement de Normandie building
• Walk Rue Jeanne d'Arc boulevard
• Trace history on Rue aux Ours street
• See Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde mansion
• Stand at Place du Vieux-Marché square
• Visit Église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc church
• Stand at Le Bûcher de Jeanne d'Arc site
• Walk Rue Guillaume le Conquérant street
• Find Dispatchwork LEGO street art
• Explore Musée des Beaux-Arts museum
• Climb Rue Bouvreuil street
• See Donjon de Rouen tower
• Explore Musée Le Secq des Tournelles
• Stand at Place du Général de Gaulle square
• Step inside Abbaye Saint-Ouen abbey
• Learn Rouen's WWII history at gardens

The experience

Rouen's layered past unfolds on foot through medieval lanes and Gothic architecture. The app guides you past the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen (the 151-meter spire Monet painted 30 times), then to Place du Vieux-Marché, where Joan of Arc was executed in 1431. You'll walk Rue du Gros-Horloge beneath half-timbered houses, see the Donjon tower where Joan faced interrogation, and discover the Aître Saint-Maclou, a 14th-century plague cemetery with bone carvings and danse macabre art. The route also passes Église Saint-Maclou's Flamboyant Gothic portals, the Parlement de Normandie's intricate stonework, and the Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde's Renaissance façade.

The app works offline, so you don't need Wi-Fi or data once downloaded. Narration is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and one additional language. You'll find detailed directions to both famous stops and hidden corners: like Jan Vormann's colorful LEGO street art filling bomb scars on medieval walls, or the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles, a Gothic church housing the world's largest wrought iron collection. The Musée des Beaux-Arts, featuring Monet's cathedral series, has free permanent entry.

The walking route traces Rouen's survival through Viking conquest, religious conflict, Nazi occupation, and WWII bombing. You'll pass Rue Jeanne d'Arc, marking where Protestant-Catholic wars reshaped the city, and the Abbaye Saint-Ouen, a 14th-century abbey with 80 original stained-glass windows. The pace is entirely yours: stop for coffee on Rue St-Romain, linger in museums, or move through quickly. Public transport is nearby if you need it.

What’s included

• Detailed directions to well-known attractions and hidden spots.
• audio guide in five languages.
• access to the app with 25+ narration points.
• fully offline map requiring no Wi-Fi or data.
• and entry to the Musée des Beaux-Arts permanent collection.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 to 65 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Trippy Tour Guide

Is this one for you?Start from wherever you're staying in Rouen: the app's offline map and self-guided format mean you don't need a car or a meeting point. You walk at your own pace, pause for museums or meals, and skip stops that don't interest you, making it ideal for travelers on their own schedule or those without local transport.

Top questions

What is the Aître Saint-Maclou and why is it on this tour?

The Aître Saint-Maclou is a 14th-century plague cemetery turned museum, featuring medieval bone carvings and danse macabre art. It's included because it reveals a haunting chapter of Rouen's medieval past and the city's response to the Black Death.

Can I visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts on this tour, and is there an entry fee?

Yes, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of the stops. The permanent collection, including Monet's cathedral series and Impressionist masterpieces, is free to enter.

Does the app work without internet or data once I download it?

Yes, the app includes a fully offline map and all narration, so you don't need Wi-Fi or mobile data while walking the tour.

Where exactly did Joan of Arc's execution take place, and can I stand there?

Joan of Arc was executed at Place du Vieux-Marché in 1431. The exact spot is marked by the tall Cross of Lorraine, and you can stand there in the modern square, which now hosts cafés and daily markets.

What languages is the audio guide available in?

The audio guide is available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and one additional language, so you can choose the narration that suits you.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit or have mobility concerns?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You set your own pace and can take breaks whenever you like. Public transportation is available nearby if you need it.