Vieux Rouen, Medieval old town in Rouen, France.
Vieux Rouen is a medieval old town in Rouen centered around narrow streets and squares framed by half-timbered houses with elaborate carved wooden facades. The buildings vary in height and style, with many tilted and leaning from centuries of settlement, creating an uneven, organic streetscape.
The district developed as a thriving medieval trade hub on the Seine River, linking Paris to the English Channel and making it wealthy and influential. Over centuries, wars, fires, and urban renewal shaped which buildings survived and how the streets were rebuilt.
The old town served as a center for merchant life during medieval times, and you can still find small shops and ateliers that reflect this trading heritage. Residents and visitors move through the narrow lanes much as merchants once did, following routes that connect the main plazas.
Walking is the best way to explore the narrow lanes at your own pace, since vehicles have little room to navigate and you can stop to notice architectural details. The area is compact and flat, making it accessible for most visitors, though some streets are quite steep near the cathedral.
The Gros Horloge is a remarkable astronomical clock tower from the 14th century that displays not just the time but also lunar phases and seasonal changes through intricate mechanical gears. Visitors are often surprised to discover that it still operates as originally designed, making it one of Europe's oldest functioning mechanical timepieces.
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