If you are looking for a hotel well located to discover the city of Rouen, with a little something cultural in addition, we recommend you to stay at the Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert.
In this article, we propose to you to discover our experience in images, our opinion and all the practical information on this hotel to benefit the maximum of your stay there.
This review is completely independent, we stayed anonymously and paid our bill in full.
Why stay at the Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert
The Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert is on our list of the best hotels in Rouen, for 3 reasons:
- An ideal location: located in the heart of downtown Rouen, the hotel is a stone’s throw from the old market square and the famous rue du Gros Horloge. You will be able to discover the city on foot, in all simplicity.
- An original concept based on literature: the hotel is entirely dedicated to Gustave Flaubert, the famous 19th century writer from Rouen. The decoration of the rooms is inspired by his novels and you can discover literary quotes and anecdotes throughout your stay.
- A so Rouen atmosphere: to enter the hotel, you will go through a porch designed in a wood panelled house, and from your room, you will be able to admire the roofs of the old Rouen with the spire of the cathedral in the background.
This is one of our favorite hotels in Rouen.
Read more
Subscribe to our Newsletter
- Get away from it all with Region Lovers’ beautiful destinations!
- Once a month
- Advertising-free
Is the Hotel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert worth it? Our review
For us, it deserves your full attention.
The theme around Gustave Flaubert has been cleverly declined and allows to get out of the standardized atmosphere of hotel chains. The rooms are all different, tastefully decorated and inspired by the novels of Gustave Flaubert. In each room, a different quote from Flaubert will be used as a headboard.
There are literary nods in every corner of the hotel, which makes the experience very fun. A well-stocked library is available for guests who wish to borrow a book during their stay.
Read more
Decoration and atmosphere
The rooms of the Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert are tastefully decorated and are all inspired by the novels of the writer. Each room has its own universe and is personalized around a particular work of art.
The“Madame Bovary” room is decorated in pastel tones in a soft and romantic atmosphere, while the“Salammbô” room is decorated in bright colors and recalls (modestly) Antiquity.
We slept in the room“Pyrenees-Corsica” in reference to a journey of initiation made by the writer after his dismissal from high school in 1839. He will draw a novel from it which will be published only in 1910, 30 years after his death.
The decoration of the hotel’s common areas is also related to the literary theme, with paintings, sculptures and references to the writer in every corner. The atmosphere is warm and cosy, you really feel immersed in a literary universe.
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
History
The Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert in Rouen opened in 2013, in the courtyard of a historic building dating from the 17th century.
It was conceived and created byJacques Letertre, president of the Société des Hôtels Littéraires, which launched this original concept of accommodation dedicated to literature in France.
The first literary hotel opened its doors in 2007 in Paris, around Marcel Proust, followed closely by other establishments dedicated to authors such as Oscar Wilde, Jules Verne, George Sand or Arthur Rimbaud.
The breakfast
The breakfast is served in the form of a buffet, with a nice variety of breads and cakes that seem to come straight out of the family kitchen (yogurt cake, chocolate cake, salted cake…).
Although we are Normans and big bread lovers, we discovered Dieppe bread, which is similar to sandwich bread but with much less butter! We confirm, it is eaten without hunger!
You will find many local products (jams made in Villequier, fruit juice from Saint Aignan and yogurt from the Peupliers farm) because in Normandy, we like to start our day well!
The equipment
The Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert has a beautiful fitness room, located on the first floor of the establishment. It is equipped with quality equipment, treadmill, elliptical and rowing machine, as well as some weight training equipment.
The hotel also houses a library rich in literary works, as well as a vast collection of books and documents dedicated to the life and work of Gustave Flaubert. You can borrow them for the duration of your stay.
This hotel gives you the ingredients for a healthy mind in a healthy body!
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.
Other services
The hotel offers a series of conferences and cultural events throughout the year, giving guests the opportunity to discover more about French literature and culture.
Price range
We are in an ideally located hotel, in the heart of a major French city and this has a cost. However, we remain within very reasonable prices for a 4 star hotel in the city center, far from the prices in Paris or the big cities.
Read more
DISCOVER Rouen
- Best things to do in Rouen: 15 ideas
- Rouen’s tourist calendar: our selection of events
- 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
Practical information about the Hotel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert in Rouen, France
Book
Where is the Hotel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert
- From Caen : about 1h30 by car (via the A13)
- From Cherbourg : about 3 hours by car (via the A13)
- From Alençon : about 1h30 by car (via the A28)
- From Evreux : about 45 minutes by car (via the A13)
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.
How to get there
The Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert is located near the “Théâtre des Arts” metro station, on line 1 of the Rouen metro. From the train station, it’s a 20-minute walk.
To get to Rouen, you can either take the train (regular connections to Paris, Lille and Caen) or drive (A13 and A28 freeways), even if the traffic in Rouen is not always very fluid…
See available timetables and book your train and coach tickets now.
Parking
The Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert does not have a dedicated parking lot. However, there are public parking lots nearby, such as the underground parking lot at Place du Vieux Marché and the Quais de Seine parking lot.
It is also possible to park on the street near the hotel, but this depends on the availability of parking spaces. On busy days, your chances of finding what you are looking for are minimal.
In any case, plan for paid parking.
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…
Is the Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert family friendly?
It offers connecting rooms and triple rooms to accommodate families. In addition, children under 12 years of age can stay free of charge in their parents’ room. However, there is no childcare or special activity program for children at the hotel.
Read more
Other best Rouen hotels to stay at
WHERE TO STAY IN Rouen
Option 1: in the old town center
A charming historic heart, museums and attractions around every corner… We recommend..:
- Gustave Flaubert Literary Hotel with lots of quotes – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hôtel de Bourghteroulde set in a 16th-century residence – see prices, photos and availability.
Option 2: near the station
Just a 10-minute walk from the historic center, you’ll find more modern options. We recommend..:
- Blu Radisson Hotel next to the Jeanne d’Arc Tower – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel de Dieppe Best Western and its Art-deco ambience – see prices, photos and availability
