Rouen city map & guide.

By the Armada Rouen Guide editorial team · Updated June 2026

📍 The Armada site: the quays

The Armada stretches along both banks of the Seine through the centre of Rouen. The main action is on the Right Bank (Rive Droite) — the historic centre side — but the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) has grown in importance each edition, with the Viking ship village for 2027 expected on the south side.

🚗 Parking zones

Parking in central Rouen during the Armada is extremely limited. The city runs park-and-ride (Parc Relais) sites on the outskirts, from which you take the metro or a shuttle bus to the quays. Here are the main options:

For full details, including prices and real-time availability, see our dedicated parking guide.

🏛️ Points of interest around the quays

All distances are approximate walking times from the nearest quayside entrance:

• Rouen Cathedral (Notre-Dame): 5 min walk from Quai de la Bourse — breathtaking Gothic architecture, light show (Cathédrale de Lumière) every evening from June.
• Gros-Horloge: 7 min walk — the monumental Renaissance astronomical clock, the symbol of Rouen.
• Place du Vieux-Marché: 10 min walk — Joan of Arc's execution site, now a lively square with the modern Saint-Joan-of-Arc church.
• Musée des Beaux-Arts: 10 min walk — one of the finest art museums in France, with works by Monet, Caravaggio and more.
• Aître Saint-Maclou: 15 min walk — a hauntingly beautiful medieval ossuary courtyard behind the church.
• Historic half-timbered quarter: 5–15 min walk in any direction from the quays, concentrated around Rue du Gros-Horloge, Rue Damiette and Rue Eau-de-Robec.
• Rouen Rive Droite station: 10 min walk — main train station with direct links to Paris Saint-Lazare.

See more on our things to do in Rouen page and the guided tours of Rouen.

🚶 Pedestrian zones during the Armada

During the festival, the quays are entirely pedestrianised. Several adjoining streets in the old town are also closed to vehicle traffic on peak days (especially weekends and the Grande Parade Sunday). Key pedestrian areas:

• The quays (both banks) — fully pedestrian from 10 am to late evening.
• Rue du Gros-Horloge — the main shopping street from the cathedral to the old market square.
• Place de la Cathédrale — forecourt and surrounding streets.
• Rue Eau-de-Robec — the picturesque stream-side street.
• Rue Saint-Romain, Rue Saint-Nicolas — medieval lanes in the cathedral quarter.

On the Grande Parade day (the final Sunday), the closures extend much further. See our where to watch the Grande Parade guide for road closure maps and timing.

🚇 Public transport

Rouen has an excellent public transport system run by Réseau Astuce:

• Metro: Two lines (A & B) that cross the city centre. The nearest metro stations to the Armada site are Théâtre des Arts (line B) and Palais de Justice / Gare Rue Verte (line A).
• TEOR: A bus rapid-transit network with dedicated lanes, running east-west across the city. Lines T1, T2 and T3.
• Buses: The regular bus network reaches all suburbs and the park-and-ride sites.
• Funicular: The funicular between the Rive Droite and the Côte Sainte-Catherine is a fun shortcut and offers panoramic views.

During the Armada, the city typically operates extended timetables and additional shuttles. Check Réseau Astuce for the latest schedules.

📌 Quick-reference neighbourhood guide

Getting your bearings: Plan Your Visit · Parking guide · Getting around · Getting from Paris · Rouen itineraries · Things to do · Best viewpoints.