Rouen: Normandy’s Cruise Destination

Rouen is revealed beautifully as you sail in on the Seine, on one of Europe’s most storied and poetic rivers. Approaching Rouen by water is already part of the experience: the river here is wide, elegant, bordered by gardens, quays, bridges and historical silhouettes, a sequence that announces, even before you dock, that you are arriving somewhere special.

Your vessel docks the heart of Normandy and the Ocean Port of Paris ans is just a few minutes walk from the historic city center, offering easy access to its landmarks, museums, shops, and local restaurants. Whether you are docking for a few hours or spending the night, this page provides everything you need to make your visit smooth, easy, and memorable.

From the quay, discover Rouen’s vibrant heart on foot or take advantage of well-organized shuttle services and local transport that connect you effortlessly to every part of the city. The port’s multilingual staff and clear signage make arriving here smooth and pleasant, reflecting Rouen’s warm Norman hospitality.

From the moment you step ashore, Rouen reveals itself as a city designed to be enjoyed on foot. From the cruise terminal, a scenic and beautifully landscaped riverside promenade follows the Seine directly towards the historic centre. This is not just a path, it is an experience in itself, and one of the ways locals genuinely use their city every day.

The newly redeveloped waterfront is one of Rouen’s favourite outings: a place to join friends after work, go for a jog, cycle, or simply enjoy being outdoors. Along the way, you will find cafés, bars, restaurants with terraces, and the small riverfront shopping mall DOCKS 76, offering fashion, leisure, and lifestyle brands.

HAROPA PORT | Rouen – Cruise Terminal
Quai de Boisguilbert, 76000 Rouen, France

The cruise terminal is a lovely 25-minute stroll by the Seine river to the heart of the city, where half-timbered houses, the soaring Gothic cathedral painted by Monet, and the charm of medieval streets await.

Terminal Operating Hours
Passenger security desks and check-in counters are open 24/7 daily when ship is docked in Rouen. Cruise terminal security access opens 2 hours before vessel arrival and closes 1 hour after departure.

City Welcome, Maps & Information
Free city maps and walking tour guides are available at the terminal’s Tourist Information Desk. Staff are present in French, English and German. Rouen Tourisme, the main Tourism Office in the city centre can be found here! Tel: +33 (0)2 32 08 32 40 – Email: accueil@rouentourisme.com

Security & Customs
All passengers must present valid ID and boarding passes. French Customs officers are on site for international arrivals. Controls follow EU regulations and random baggage checks may occur.

Accessibility
The terminal and promenade are fully wheelchair accessible (ramps, lifts, adapted restrooms). Dedicated assistance points are available at embarkation. Guests can request mobility support via their cruise line or port agent.

Rouen is one of the most attractive river cruise destinations on the Seine, and not only as a visit, but as a place to stay. River vessels are welcomed in three different mooring locations in the city: Quai Pierre Corneille, Quai de la Bourse, and Quai de Boisguilbert. Each quay offers easy access to the historic centre and its lively neighbourhoods, and each one gives passengers the freedom to explore Rouen fully on foot.

Unlike many other river ports, Rouen is not just a short transit call: most river ships stay overnight, and many remain up to three days. This makes Rouen a perfect “city base” on your Seine itinerary and a place where passengers can truly settle in, enjoy daytime visits, experience evening dining, and return again the next morning for museums, markets, and guided tours.

Rouen offers the rare luxury of time on a cruise, so guests can discover more, at a relaxed rhythm, and feel the soul of the city.

Walk: All three river quays are located in the very heart of the city, and the cathedral is only about 450 metres away (5 to 7 minutes on foot) from Quai Pierre Corneille, Quai de la Bourse and 20 minutes on foot away from Quai de Boisguilbert.
Taxi: Taxi can be ordered for your pickup at the foot of your vessel.
Train: Rouen-Rive Droite Station is 15 minutes walk away from the quay.

When your cruise ship docks in Rouen, you’ve arrived at the heart of Normandy, a city where history, art, and gastronomy converge along the Seine. Rouen is not only a premier Normandy cruise stop but a destination rich in UNESCO-worthy experiences just steps from the quay.

• Walk Through Time in Medieval Rouen
  Join a guided walking tour through cobbled lanes and marvel at Rouen’s bimillennial architecture, including the Notre-Dame Cathedral immortalized by Claude Monet. Discover the Joan of Arc Historial, and explore the Gros Horloge, Rouen’s iconic astronomical clock tower.
• Follow in the Footsteps of the Impressionists
  Discover Rouen through the lens of its Impressionist legacy. Visit the Fine Arts Museum and take an optional excursion to nearby Giverny, Monet’s home and garden, accessible from Rouen.
• Indulge in Normandy’s Gastronomy
  Cruise passengers can enjoy Norman culinary delights with tastings at local markets or hands-on cooking workshops. From Camembert and cider to seafood and Calvados, each flavour tells a story of the region.
• Discover Industrial Heritage and the Seine Ports

  Take a specialized tour of the Industrial Port of Rouen, one of France’s leading grain exporters. The experience includes a guided cruise along the Seine showcasing the city’s industrial evolution.

Rouen Cruise Tip: For passengers seeking exclusive or sustainable tours, Rouen offers eco-certified excursions, including e-bike tours and riverfront nature walks.

Rouen is the perfect base for discovering the most iconic sites of France. Most excursions can be completed in half-day or full-day formats, making Rouen an ideal hub for multi-day stays.

• Monet’s House and Gardens at Giverny: Visit the house, studio and water garden that inspired some of the world’s most famous paintings, a must for all Impressionist lovers.
• Versailles and Paris: The Château de Versailles and central Paris are both reachable in around 1½ hours, an extraordinary combination: Normandy + Paris in one voyage. Overnighting equally allows for Paris by night visits, to discover the city of light. 
• Honfleur and Côte Fleurie seaside towns: The elegant old harbour of Honfleur, plus nearby Deauville and Trouville, offer a refined taste of the Normandy coastline.
• D-Day Landing Beaches & Memorials: Utah, Omaha, Juno and the major memorial sites are accessible from Rouen — powerful, emotional, and essential to understand 20th-century history.

Did you know?
Rouen is one of the reare ports where most ships stay longer and over-night, allowing passangers to enjoy the city in depth and radiate outward to some of France’s greatest cultural, artistic and historic treasures, all within easy and fast reach. 

Rouen is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and the only French city in this exclusive club, which means food here is not just a pleasure, it is part of the city’s cultural identity.

The historic centre is full of lively restaurants, cafés, wine bars, brasseries and bistros where you can taste Norman specialities like cheeses, cider, seafood, apple desserts, and refined French regional cuisine. Whether you choose a traditional inn in a half-timbered house or a contemporary chef-driven restaurant, Rouen offers a sophisticated gastronomic scene from Michelin-listed tables to relaxed street-food counters.

Rouen is also famous for its yearly gourmet festivals, especially “Rouen à Table!”, a major city event in October which celebrates Norman flavours and talents. During this period, restaurants, producers and artisan makers showcase tasting menus, special products, events and culinary experiences across the city.

For market lovers, the Marché Saint-Marc is one of the most vibrant in Normandy, with 100 to 200 vendors depending on the day: fresh seasonal produce, cheeses, seafood, flowers, artisanal products and flea market finds. And just a short walk away, Place du Vieux-Marché’s old market is another delicious area not to miss. Many consider it one of the most gourmet squares in Rouen.

Did you know?
Julia Child’s very first meal in France was in Rouen at the restaurant La Couronne: and she later wrote that this exact moment was when she fell in love with French cuisine. And you can still eat in that same restaurant today: it is considered the oldest inn in France.

Rouen offers a particularly charming mix of historic markets, elegant department stores, and one-of-a-kind independent boutiques. The city has an estimated 3,000+ shops and boutiques spread across its districts, including a wide pedestrian shopping area in the historic centre, just a short walk from the cathedral.

Large department stores and shopping malls such asGaleries Lafayette, Printemps, and Docks 76bring together dozens of brands under one roof — fashion, beauty, home décor, gourmet products and more.

Beyond the big names, Rouen is also a city of craftspeople, concept stores, and artisanal makers. Independent boutiques offer authentic locally-designed gifts, while specialty chocolate and pâtisserie shops are a must-visit for gourmet lovers.

For a more local atmosphere, the open-air Marché Saint-Marc brings together 100–200 vendors, selling fresh produce, cheeses, flowers, artisanal foods and flea market treasures, or try the historic Old Market (Vieux Marché) to tempt the tastebuds.

Shopping in Rouen is part discovery, part pleasure — and always deliciously French.

Currency & Payments Currency: Euro (EUR) ATMs located near the terminal and city center. Most restaurants and shops accept Visa and MasterCard. Some businesses may accept American Express, however Amex is not as widely accepted in Europe. Tipping is optional (5–10% for excellent service).

Emergency Medical Assistance
If you believe someone requires urgent medical help, dial the appropriate emergency number immediately. The European emergency number (life or death): is 112

Other useful numbers in France

• Ambulance / SAMU (medical emergencies): 15
• Police: 17
• Fire Brigade (Pompiers): 18
• Deaf or hard of hearing – SMS emergency: 114
• Violence against women hotline: 3919

How emergency response works in France
The SAMU (dial 15) is France’s national medical emergency service, available 24 hours a day. Its ambulances carry trained medical teams and are equipped for cardiac and respiratory support. The Fire Brigade (dial 18) can also respond quickly and may dispatch their own medical unit or alert SAMU if needed.

When you call be brief, clear, and give:

• the exact address or location (include floor / door code if applicable)
• your phone number
• the caller’s name
• the patient’s name + age
• what is happening (chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe bleeding, trauma, stroke symptoms, etc.)

If helpful, you may be transferred to an English-speaking specialist. For non-critical medical situations or house calls, SOS Médecins can be contacted (less urgent/private service).