Rouen, the capital of Normandy, is a French city that is rich in history. It was, in fact, the place where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake in 1431, in the city’s central square, Place du Vieux Marché. This is where the Church of St Joan of Arc now stands, one of Rouen’s many sights that draw in tourists and grab the attention of locals throughout the year. Other notable attractions include the Rouen Cathedral, an astronomical clock known as Gros Horloge, Rouen Castle, and a number of Gothic-style churches.
As a port town on the River Seine, Rouen has long been one of France’s more prosperous cities and continues to offer lots of employment opportunities to residents and expats alike, with industry, commerce, and other business sectors still thriving. It also brings in a good level of tourism during peak seasons, adding to the city’s prosperity while not being overwhelmed with the large crowds of larger cities such as Paris.
Rouen’s development in recent years has included residential areas to provide accommodation for the wider population, including international people looking for apartment rental in Rouen. Rouen’s proximity to Paris makes it popular for expats, with a rail service going directly to Paris making it easy to visit or commute to the capital. Students are also attracted to this city to attend the University of Rouen.
If you’re looking to rent an apartment in Rouen, then you can search on Nestpick to find the perfect solution for you.
Apartments in Rouen by districts
The wider metropolitan area of Rouen is made up of 70 suburbs. Districts like Branly and Vallon Suisse are popular options for their proximity to the city centre, for those who work in the centre or like to be within easy reach of the city’s amenities. Other expats may choose to be further outside of the city to enjoy the peace and quiet. Outlying suburbs such as Bois-Guillaume and Déville-lès-Rouen are good options for this lifestyle, ideal for older expats or for those with families.
Prices of apartments for rent in Rouen will vary depending on the district you are looking at, but prices are generally reasonable for what you get. In the city centre, for example, you could expect to pay €450 for a one-bedroom apartment, perfect for single expats moving to the area. You’ll also find slightly cheaper prices further out of the city, around €330 per month.
Best areas for Apartments in Rouen
Apartments in Rouen City Centre
The Old City of Rouen and its current city centre lies on the right bank of the River Seine in the north of the city. It suffered some damage during World War II, but still displays much of the original architecture, half-timbered buildings, and narrow, cobbled streets that are characteristic of its history. It is home to some of the city’s major sights, including the fantastic Rouen Cathedral, which has been restored in parts since World War II.
There are plenty of modern attractions, too, with a number of cafés, bars, restaurants, and clubs lining the right bank of the River Seine. This makes the city centre popular among the city’s students as well as young professionals relocating to the area. It is a great chance to mingle amongst Rouen’s locals as well as other expatriates. Popular shops and weekly markets in the city’s Old Market Square also provide a bustling atmosphere during the day.
Average prices for renting an apartment in the centre of Rouen range from around €450 for a one-bedroom apartment to €800 or more for a three-bedroom apartment. It’s a great location to place yourself, with all the local facilities you need right there, plus access to other major cities including Paris. Explore the range of apartments and rooms to rent in Rouen via Nestpick’s search tool.
Apartments in Vallon Suisse
Vallon Suisse is a suburb located within the actual city limits of Rouen, to the north-east of the city centre. This puts it in a great location to easily travel into the city centre, either by foot or by public transport. This provides a nice respite from the vibrant centre of the city while still keeping it practically on your doorstep.
Vallon Suisse is largely a residential area, with a range of houses and apartment blocks available either to rent or buy. This means there’s something to suit practically everyone, whether you’re looking to buy a house for your family, rent an apartment in Rouen, or rent a single room within a shared house. The district also features many local businesses, providing amenities to residents as well as creating job opportunities for those living in or near the area.
Vallon Suisse also features nice parks to enjoy plus schools for expats with children. There is a large secondary school, Gustave Flaubert, plus a vocational high school offering a wide range of courses. This district really does provide the best of both worlds thanks to its location and amenities.
Flats for rent in Sotteville-les-Rouen
Sotteville-les-Rouen is the largest and most populous of Rouen’s suburbs, sitting just outside of the city’s borders to the south. It is like a small town in its own right with lots of facilities and amenities available to its residents. The area contains schools, parks, businesses, shops, restaurants, and a variety of other things you might need on a day-to-day basis. There’s something for everyone, including families, couples, students, and single expats.
This suburb also has its own train station, Sotteville station, which leads towards the city centre and further out of Rouen. This makes it a popular location for professionals, as commuting from the district is made much easier. The train station and the city’s local transport also make it easy to get into the city centre and then back home after a day spent shopping or a night in the town.
Sotteville-les-Rouen has many residential areas where houses and apartments line the streets of the suburb. Being a little outside of the city means that you may be able to find lower priced apartments, although monthly rent will vary greatly depending on the type of accommodation you are looking at. Find the perfect home or room to rent to suit your budget in Sotteville-les-Rouen.
Student accommodation in Rouen
The University of Rouen Normandy is the main university located in Rouen. It greatly encourages international students to attend, both through its Erasmus programme and on a more permanent basis. The university even offers French language courses for its international students to help them integrate into the local culture.
The University of Rouen has campuses located in various parts of Rouen, so you’ll find student accommodation throughout the city. Where you choose to live will depend on which campus you’ll mainly be located at as well as your own priorities of living in Rouen. Some students choose to stay close to the city centre while others look for more affordable accommodation outside of the city.
You’ll find a good range of choice of student accommodation in and around Rouen city centre, close to several of the university’s campuses. Student apartments and rooms to rent also stretch further south of the city, close to the university campus in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray. With a large local and international student population in Rouen, the city has a great nightlife, helping you to enjoy your time at university in this city.
Rouen public transport
Public transport in Rouen is provided by bus services and the metro or tramway system. Both local and intercity buses are in operation, making it easy to get around Rouen as well as out of the city on day or weekend trips. Of course, there is also the Gare de Rouen at the centre of the city with railway links out to other cities.
The metro system operates both above and underground in parts, providing an efficient form of public transport covering the city of Rouen. When using Rouen’s public transport, you can expect to pay €1.60 for a single journey when travelling locally. Monthly travel passes are also available for around €45-€50, making travel more affordable for commuters and anyone else who uses public transport on a regular basis.