A memorable night in a historic city? Breathtaking views of the cathedral or half-timbered houses?
Don’t worry, you’ll find your ideal accommodation in Rouen for an unforgettable stay. This is it:
- our advice on where to sleep in Rouen, the best districts
- and our selection of the best hotels in Rouen
Our selection is made independently, based on our experience and research. When we stay in a hotel, we remain anonymous and pay in full.
The best hotels in Rouen, Normandy
We have to admit that Rouen’s hotel offer is a little disappointing compared to the city’s architectural quality. We were expecting a lot more small, charming hotels…
That said, you can find good hotels in great locations for exploring the city. Here are our 3 favorites:
Best hotel near the station: Radisson Blu
Right next to the Joan of Arc Tower, this modern hotel offers all the comforts you could need. We love the uncluttered decor, the garden bar overlooking the tower and the spacious rooms. Best of all, private parking means you don’t have to turn around to find a space.
See photos, prices and availability
Best hotel in the old town: Hôtel Littéraire
For a stay with more charm and a unique experience, choose the Hotel Littéraire. We love the Gustave Flaubert quotations and the book and literature decor throughout the hotel. What will you choose to read during your stay?
See photos, prices and availability
5-star luxury hotel in Rouen: Hôtel de Bourghteroulde
And if you’re looking for a little luxury for your stay in Rouen, the only 5-star hotel is the Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde. And the building is worth the detour! The hotel is housed in an old mansion dating back, for the most part, to the 16th century!
See photos, prices and availability
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Where to stay in Rouen: best districts
Is spending the night in Rouen worth it?
Spending a night in Rouen is absolutely worthwhile: this city is brimming with charm and history. Its medieval town center is a real gem, with cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and the famous Notre-Dame cathedral. Rouen is also known as the city of Joan of Arc, and you can visit the Place du Vieux-Marché where she was burned at the stake. What’s more, an overnight stay in Rouen will give you the chance to immerse yourself in history and enjoy Norman gastronomy.
Where to stay in Rouen: district map
Here’s a map to help you find your way. Most attractions are located in the old town.
It’s one of the most beautiful places to stay in Normandy and an excellent weekend destination.
And then you can plan your stay with our guide to What to do in Rouen (coming soon).
Sleep in the old town, around the cathedral
The old town is mainly located between the old market square and the cathedral. We could separate the 2 areas, but there’s only a 10-minute walk between them and the pros and cons are the same.
Benefits:
- Close to all attractions
- Close to many restaurants
- The charm of the city as soon as you leave the accommodation, and sometimes the view from the room too
Disadvantages:
- Difficult access and parking (some streets are pedestrianized and have cobblestones)
- It can be noisy
Sleeping near the station
Heading back towards the station, you’ll find another series of hotels.
Benefits:
- Easy access (10-minute walk to the old town center)
- Close to the station
- Rooms are often more spacious, as the buildings are more modern.
Disadvantages:
- Less charm around the hotels
- A short walk to see the attractions
- Noisy neighbourhood too
Sleeping on the South Bank (Rive Sud)
The city of Rouen is bisected by the Seine, and thus split in 2. The old town and railway station are on the north bank. The botanical garden is on the south bank.
Benefits:
- Quieter neighborhoods
- Easier parking
- Lower price
Disadvantages:
- Away from the attractions
- Away from the restaurants
Other tips to keep in mind
The city of Rouen is a popular tourist destination, and the supply of hotels is limited. We therefore advise you to book as early as possible to have a choice of hotels and better prices.
In the center of town, there are many pedestrian streets. Plan where you’re going to park and a parking budget.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
1. Radisson Blu Hotel (4 stars, train station)
Why stay at the Radisson Blu hotel
The Radisson is one of the hotels with the highest level of service in Rouen: located near the historic Joan of Arc Tower, it’s a modern building with spacious, functional rooms. We like the decor, which is fairly uncluttered but with beautiful textures that make it warm and inviting.
We also like the large garden at the foot of the tower for an early evening drink.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: Near train station
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: yes
- Family rooms: yes
- Facilities: gym, spa, steam room
- Parking: private, pay parking lot with recharging stations
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
2. Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert (4 stars, Centre)
Why stay at the Hôtel Littéraire
With its ideal location, right in the center of Rouen, it’s one of our favorite options for a stay. We like the original concept based on the literature of Gustave Flaubert, the famous writer from Rouen: quotations from his novels, anecdotes…
What’s more, to enter the hotel, you’ll pass through a porch designed into a timber-framed house, and from your room you’ll be able to admire the rooftops of old Rouen, with the spire of the cathedral looming in the background. Time travel in Rouen!
Practical information
- Neighborhood: old town, near Vieux-Marché beach
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: no, but close to all restaurants
- Family rooms: yes
- Facilities: gym
- Parking: private, pay parking lot with recharging stations
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
See our detailed review of our stay at the Hotel Flaubert
DISCOVER Rouen
- Best things to do in Rouen: 15 ideas
- Where to stay in Rouen: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Rouen: 20 best restaurants
- Rouen’s 10 best museums
- Itineraries in Rouen: 1 day – 2 days
- Rouen Museum of Fine Arts
- Rouen Cathedral
- Rent a car in Rouen
3. Hôtel de Dieppe Best Western (4 stars, Station)
Why stay at the Hotel de Dieppe (Best Western Plus)
We really appreciated this hotel’s revisited Art-deco atmosphere. Old meets new to create a warm and friendly atmosphere. We found that the establishment was decorated with care, with little touches of originality in the choice of colors and patterns.
What’s more, its location near the train station makes it easy to explore the city, its museums and attractions.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: Station
- Price range: 4 stars
- Restaurant: yes
- Family rooms: yes
- Facilities: gym, bar
- Parking: private, pay parking lot with recharging stations
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
See our detailed review of our stay at the Dieppe hotel
4. Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde (5 stars, center)
Why stay at the Bourgtheroulde hotel?
If you’re looking for a touch of history and charm during your stay, the Hotel de Bourgtheroulde is ideal. It’s hard not to fall under the spell of this building with its picturesque courtyard.
This 16th-century townhouse is ideally located in the heart of the city center, just a stone’s throw from Rouen’s main attractions. The hotel’s rooms are elegantly decorated, with a harmonious blend of classic style and modern comfort.
Practical information
- District: Old Town, near Place du Vieux-Marché
- Price range: 5 stars
- Restaurant: no
- Family rooms: no, but extra bed possible
- Facilities: Gym, indoor pool, spa
- Parking: private, pay parking lot with recharging stations
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
Do not make
THE SAME MISTAKE WE MADE
On one of our last trips to Europe, a hacker stole our credit card details while we were using a hotel WiFi.
So our trip began with a “card blocked” call… Not funny at all!
Learn from our mistake, make a small VPN investment to surf without worry.
5. Hôtel Paulette (3 stars, center)
Why stay at Hotel Paulette
Located between the Seine and the old town, Hotel Paulette is a recently refurbished hotel with a warm, chic decor.
These include wallpapers with colorful, elegant patterns.
In terms of value for money, we find it one of the most attractive in Rouen.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: south of the old town, on the banks of the Seine
- Price range: 3 stars
- Restaurant: Café
- Family rooms: yes
- Equipment: /
- Parking: no – public parking nearby
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
6. Hôtel Le Cardinal (3 stars, center)
Why stay at Hotel Le Cardinal
It couldn’t be more central. This hotel is right next to the cathedral! As a result, some rooms have some of the best views in Rouen.
We liked the nod to the Cardinals in the entrance. We’d just like to see it continue a little in the decoration of the rooms, which isn’t the case. But when you’ve got the view, you don’t want to distract with too many decorations…
Practical information
- District: Old Town, Cathedral Square
- Price range:
- Restaurant: no
- Family rooms: yes
- Equipment: /
- Parking: no
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
7. Hôtel Le Vieux Carré (2 stars, old town center)
Why stay at Le Vieux Carré hotel
If you’re looking to sleep in a typical, historic half-timbered building, this is a good option.
On the other hand, as in any old house, it’s not possible to have certain modern comforts, but that’s part of the charm: narrow staircases to get up to the bedrooms, creaky floors, size of the bathrooms…
Practical information
- Neighborhood: old town, near main museums
- Price range: 2 stars
- Restaurant: yes
- Family rooms: yes
- Equipment: /
- Parking: no
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
8. Hôtel De la Cathédrale (historic but aging, old town)
Why stay at the Hôtel de la Cathédrale?
If you’re looking for modern, spacious rooms with all the comforts of home, don’t bother.
This hotel is for history lovers who prefer the cachet of unrenovated history to all the little modern details.
This hotel plunges you into history in a half-timbered building right next to the cathedral.
Practical information
- Neighborhood: old town, right next to the cathedral
- Price range: 3 stars
- Restaurant: no, but plenty of choice nearby
- Family rooms: yes
- Equipment: /
- Parking: no
- See photos, prices and availability – and book!
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
And lots of charming apartments
While we find many hotels in Rouen lacking in charm, you can find some lovely privately-run apartments with beautiful beams, views and old-world charm.
Here is a small selection:
Apartment “L’Escale du Gros Horloge”
With its excellent downtown location and warm, modern decor, this is an excellent place to stay in Rouen.
See prices, pictures and availability
Apartment “Le Bourdon de la Cathédrale”
If you want to wake up with a view of the cathedral, this is a great option for you. The decor is cosy and the equipment very practical.
We appreciate the charm of the sloping ceilings and wooden beams.
See prices, pictures and availability
Apartment “L’Espace Privé Rouen”
For a romantic getaway in Rouen, this studio is quite unique in old Rouen with its whirlpool bath!
See prices, pictures and availability
Or see Rouen’s top-rated apartments.
Other places to stay in Rouen
Cheap hotels in Rouen
To find the cheapest hotels in Rouen, we advise you to move away from the city center and take public transport to visit the city, or go down to the ranges and equipment.
For example:
- Le Domytis Les Mosaïques (with pool) – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Céline (near train station) – see prices, photos and availability
Camping in Rouen
For motorhomes, there is a 20-site parking area in the marina.
If you’re looking for a campsite, you’ll need to get out of the city center:
- Camping des Nénuphar, to the northwest
- Les Camping de la Forêt and Cmaping de la Seine, along one of the loops of the Seine, to the west
