Discover Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy and one of France’s best-preserved medieval cities, on this guided walking tour. Your certified guide takes you through centuries of history, from Joan of Arc’s
dramatic trial and execution to the masterpiece cathedral that captivated Claude Monet.
Begin at the Place du Vieux-Marché, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431. Your guide
recounts the extraordinary story of the teenage warrior who changed the course of the Hundred Years’ War, her trial in Rouen, and her rehabilitation 25 years later. See the modern church dedicated to her memory and the cross marking the exact spot of her execution.
Continue to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, the tallest cathedral in France at 151 metres. Step inside to admire the soaring Gothic nave, the stunning stained-glass windows dating back to the 13th century, the tomb of Richard the Lionheart (whose heart is buried here), and the intricate stonework that inspired Monet to paint his famous series of over 30 canvases.
Stroll through the Vieille Ville, Rouen’s beautifully preserved medieval quarter. Walk beneath the iconic Gros-Horloge, a 14th-century astronomical clock spanning the street, and admire rows of colourful half-timbered houses that have stood for over 500 years. Your guide points out hidden details, carvings, and stories behind the facades.
Reach the Aître Saint-Maclou, one of Europe’s last surviving medieval plague cemeteries.
This stunning courtyard, surrounded by half-timbered galleries carved with skulls, crossbones, and gravediggers’ tools, served as a mass burial ground during the Black Death of 1348.
Recently restored, it is now one of Rouen’s most striking and atmospheric sites.
End your tour at the Église Saint-Maclou, a jewel of Flamboyant Gothic architecture with one of the finest church porches in France.
Your guide explains the intricate stone lacework of the facade and the church’s turbulent history through wars and revolutions.
