The Saint-Romain Fair in Rouen

Legend has it that in the 7th century a gargoyle, a kind of dragon, terrorised the inhabitants of Rouen. Determined to get rid of it, Bishop Romain set off to kill the monster, accompanied by a man condemned to death who would be pardoned if he won. The gargoyle was defeated and the prisoner regained his freedom. It was on the strength of this legendary tradition that, every year until the French Revolution, one of Rouen’s death row inmates was pardoned on All Saints’ Day. This event was known as the “Foire du Pardon”.

The Foire du Pardon, initially organised by merchants, became the Foire Saint-Romain at the end of the 19th century, with fairground shows. It was held on the Place du Boulingrin until 1983, when it was moved to the quays on the Left Bank. That’s why France’s only monument to the fairground workers who died in the First and Second World Wars stands on the Place du Boulingrin. Since 2016, the Foire Saint-Romain no longer takes place on the Left Bank quays. It now takes place on the Waddington peninsula on the right bank. Crunchies, thrill rides, candy apples, rifle shooting, duck fishing… Find out all about the attractions, activities and delicacies of the Foire Saint-Romain!

Dates : Friday 24 October to Sunday 23 November 2025 Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 2pm to 11pm. Friday, Saturday and eve of public holidays: 2pm to 1am. Restaurants open daily from 11.30am. Fireworks: date to be announced Prices: Admission to the Foire Saint-Romain is free for everyone. However, ticket prices vary for each attraction and are set freely by the fairground owners. You should expect to pay between €3 and €5 for family or children’s rides, and between €5 and €8 for thrill rides. Access and parking: – More public transport and free parking on Wednesdays, weekends and public holidays. – Two free parking areas: one on the Saint-Gervais esplanade (via rue Nansen) with a free shuttle bus, and the other at the West terminal (opposite the MIN). Two free small trains will take the public from the West terminal to the entrance to the fairground. – A “bike” area is planned at the entrance under the Flaubert bridge.