You want to visit Normandy and are wondering where to go: Le Havre or Rouen?
We love both destinations. The choice is difficult, but we’re here to help you with our opinions on specific criteria.
Here’s our Le Havre vs Rouen battle with tips and photos:
- Atmosphere
- Architecture and monuments
- Location
- Hotels and restaurants
- …
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Le Havre or Rouen: comparison summary
Short answer
These two Normandy towns offer very different experiences!
Le Havre seduced us with its unique modern architecture by Auguste Perret, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its immediate proximity to the sea. This port city will also surprise you with its contemporary art and urban dynamism.
As for Rouen, we were charmed by its perfectly preserved medieval historic center, its Gothic monuments and its rich heritage linked to Joan of Arc, a major historical figure in the Hundred Years War. It’s also the capital of Normandy, and you’ll see that it exudes history around every corner!
Depending on what you’re looking for…
- for modern architecture and contemporary art: Le Havre
- for medieval historical heritage: Rouen
- for families with young children: equality
- for the most beautiful hotels: Rouen
- for a romantic break: Rouen
- for gastronomy: Rouen
- for access to the sea: Le Havre
- for museums: equality
- for the Impressionist art movement: Le Havre
- …
See the best rated accommodations in Le Havre.
See Rouen’s top-rated accommodations.
Access + Location to explore the region
Both towns are located in Normandy, but in different strategic positions for exploring the region.
Le Havre offers direct access to the sea and is a good starting point for discovering the Côte d’Albâtre. Rouen’s inland location on the banks of the Seine makes it easy to reach the interior of Normandy.
Here are a few guidelines to help you make the right assessment:
- Le Havre to Rouen = 1h30 drive
- Le Havre to Étretat = 30min drive
- Rouen to Caen = 2h drive
- Rouen to Giverny = 45min drive
Both towns have well-connected train stations. Rouen is better connected to the national rail network. Note that access by train from Gare de Paris Saint-Lazare remains the preferred option for both destinations.
Paris to Rouen: 1h20 by direct train
Paris to Le Havre: 2h15 by train
Book your trains
Both towns also have easy motorway access for those wishing to explore the region by car.
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.
Hotels: Le Havre vs Rouen
Hotels in Le Havre
We found the hotel offer in Le Havre to be modern, but more limited than in Rouen. We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the establishments.
We recommend you:
- Seaside: Hilton Hotel – Check photos and availability
- Downtown: Hôtel Pasino – Check photos, photos and availability
- Near the train station: Odalys Hotel (Aparthotel) – Check photos, photos and availability
The Hilton Hotel is one of our favorites, with its spacious, elegantly decorated rooms. We love the textures and plants in this establishment. And best of all, we loved watching the sunset from the balcony!
Read our article on where to stay in Le Havre.
Hotels in Rouen
Rouen’s hotel offer is distinguished by its diversity and character. We really appreciated establishments that combine history and modernity.
We particularly recommend:
- Luxury: Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde – See prices, photos and availability
- Charming: Hôtel Littéraire Gustave Flaubert – See prices, photos and availability
- Moderne: Radisson Blu – See prices, photos and availability
The Hôtel de Bourgtheroulde particularly appealed to us for its exceptional setting in a former 16th-century mansion. We also appreciate the originality of the Hôtel Littéraire, with its references to Gustave Flaubert.
Read our article on where to stay in Rouen.
Our review
We prefer Rouen’s hotels for their diversity and historical charm. However, Le Havre offers some very pleasant modern establishments, especially for business travelers.
Attractions, museums and monuments
Attractions in Le Havre
Its architecture, designed by Auguste Perret after the war, is baffling. Inspiring, for the skies that so inspired the Impressionists and that you can admire at MuMa. Surprising, too, for its unusual sites, such as the hanging gardens installed in a former city fort. In this special and endearing port city, you’ll discover..:
- Perret architecture: a must-see in Le Havre, this unique modern architecture is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Perret show apartment: to understand life in these revolutionary buildings
- MuMa: André Malraux art museum, rich collection of modern and contemporary art
- St. Joseph’s Church: a masterpiece of modern religious architecture
- Le Volcan: emblematic cultural center designed by Oscar Niemeyer
- Le Havre Beach: enjoy the sea
- A tour of works of art in the city: catenas in containers, statues scattered around the urban space…
- Street art in Le Havre with an urban art trail
Find out more in our article on Le Havre’s top attractions.
Attractions in Rouen
With its rich historical heritage and colorful half-timbered houses, we were charmed by the town. Whether you’re passionate about history, gastronomy or art, the capital of Normandy is sure to surprise you. Rouen’s main attractions bear witness to its rich medieval past and historical importance. We were particularly impressed by the density of the architectural heritage in the historic center:
- Visit the Gros Horloge and its museum
- Contemplating Rouen Cathedral
- Explore the Musée des Beaux-Arts
- Following in the footsteps of Joan of Arc
- Discover the Abbatiale Saint-Ouen
- Visit the Aître Saint-Maclou
- Strolling through the Jardin des Plantes
Find out more in our article on Rouen’s top attractions.
Our review
In Rouen, you’ll enjoy a wider range of historical and cultural attractions. Le Havre offers a more concentrated experience of modern architecture and contemporary art. We prefer Rouen for its rich heritage, but Le Havre is a pleasant surprise for lovers of 20th-century architecture.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities in Normandy
- Helicopter flight over the cliffs of the Côte d’Albâtre
- Book your time to visit Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
- Take a microlight flight over Mont-Saint-Michel
- Climb the Via Ferrata in Switzerland Normandy
Excursions around the cities
Excursions from Le Havre
From Le Havre, you can visit..:
- Étretat and its spectacular cliffs (30min drive)
- Fécamp and its abbey (45min drive)
- Honfleur and its picturesque port (30min drive)
- The Côte d’Albâtre and its fishing villages
If your cruise calls at Le Havre, find all our tips here.
Or discover our recommendations for shore excursions from Le Havre.
Excursions from Rouen
From Rouen, you can explore the Seine-Maritime and its treasures or one of the jewels of the Eure :
- The cliffs ofÉtretat
- Le Havre and its modern architecture
- Dieppe and its fishing port
- Jumièges Abbey
- Giverny and its flower gardens – see options
See our article on the best excursions from Rouen.
Our review
The choice is difficult, as you can imagine! Le Havre offers privileged access to the wonders of the Normandy coast. As for Rouen, it’s the perfect place to discover the hinterland and art treasures such as Giverny. So we recommend Le Havre for lovers of seascapes, and Rouen for art and history enthusiasts.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
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The best urban experiences
Experience in Le Havre
In Le Havre, you’ll enjoy a unique urban experience combining modernity and maritime proximity. The town surprised us with its architectural unity and wide-open spaces overlooking the English Channel and the Seine estuary. We particularly like the relaxed atmosphere of the waterfront and the discovery of contemporary art in the streets. Our tour of the port on the Seine boat, for example, was a truly unique experience, featuring works of art and gigantic ships! It’s also a city the whole family can enjoy, so read our article on Le Havre with children.
Experience in Rouen
A stroll through Rouen is like immersing yourself in the medieval atmosphere of its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses! Every street corner reveals a vestige of the past. We love strolling through the historic center and discovering the artisan stores in these perfectly preserved period settings. A dream come true for young and old alike! Read our article on Rouen with children
Our review
The two cities offer complementary urban experiences for families, singles or couples. Le Havre is more suited to lovers of modern architecture and marine proximity, while Rouen will appeal to history and medieval heritage enthusiasts.
Best gastronomic offer
Restaurants in Le Havre
A culinary scene irrigated both by imports from the port and by the rich agricultural production of the surrounding countryside, our hometown of Le Havre is a great place to eat. As the culinary experience is an integral part of the journey and the discovery of the destination, let us surprise you with our gourmet halls and their food shops, roasters, tea rooms and fine restaurants!
Among our favorite restaurants:
- Restaurant Le Margote: creative bistronomic cuisine from a chef who loves Normandy produce
- Restaurant Jean-Luc Tartarin: Michelin-starred gourmet cuisine of precision and mastery
- Restaurant Calice et Mandibule: Claire and Manu’s canteen, blending local Normandy produce with Senegalese and Moroccan flavours
On the menu: gastronomy with character and craftsmanship!
Read our article on the best places to eat in Le Havre.
Restaurants in Rouen
Rouen’s vibrant gastronomic scene! We were particularly impressed by the culinary offerings. You’ll see that the town combines Norman tradition with contemporary creativity.
Among our favorite restaurants:
- Restaurant L’Odas (1 star): gastronomic excellence with instinctive cuisine
- Restaurant Simone: creativity and boldness in a relaxed atmosphere
- Restaurant Okto: refined bistronomy near the Old Market
- Salon de Thé Dame Cakes: elegance and indulgence for afternoon tea
We were pleasantly surprised by the creativity of Restaurant L’Odas and the warm atmosphere of Salon de Thé Dame Cakes, two of our favorites. See our selection of tables in Rouen.
Our review
We prefer Rouen’s gastronomic offering for its diversity and the presence of several Michelin-starred establishments. However, Le Havre also offers some fine culinary discoveries, especially for seafood lovers.
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Easy to get around these cities
Getting around Le Havre
Le Havre is a modern city designed to make getting around easy. Perret’s rational urban planning makes the downtown area easy to explore on foot. The tramway network efficiently serves the main districts.
Getting around Rouen
As well as the charming Little Tourist Train, which invites you to take a guided tour of the city, you’ll find that Rouen’s historic center is best discovered on foot, in its pedestrian lanes. The city has a bus network and a metro bus to reach more remote districts. We recommend parking on the outskirts of the town to explore its medieval heart.
Our review
Equality! Both towns are within easy walking distance of each other. In Le Havre, mobility is more fluid thanks to modern urban planning, while Rouen favors pedestrian discovery of its historic heritage.
Can we visit Le Havre and Rouen on the same trip?
Yes, it’s quite possible, as the two cities are separated by a 1h30 drive and a train line with regular daily services.
We recommend a minimum of 2 days in each city to take full advantage of their specific features. A one-week stay allows you to discover both destinations and their surroundings in comfort.
And why not other cities/regions?
In Normandy, other destinations are also worth a visit:
- Caen and its memorials
- Bayeux and its tapestry
- Cherbourg and the Cité de la Mer
- Honfleur and its harbour charm
- The Pays d’Auge
- …
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…
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
