Donjon de Rouen
The Donjon de Rouen is a round defensive tower from the 13th century that rises above the old town and was originally part of a large fortified structure. The walls are remarkably thick, the tower reaches impressive height, and the interior still shows simple stone chambers with winding stairs that lead to broad views over the city.
The tower was built in the 13th century by King Philip II Augustus to protect the city and secure royal authority. Over centuries it was the setting for decisive moments in Rouen's history, from the battles of the Hundred Years' War to the Wars of Religion, before being recognized as a monument in the 19th century and later opened as a museum.
The donjon was built in the Middle Ages as a center of royal power and continues to shape the city's identity today. Visitors can read in its walls how important this place was for defending and governing Rouen, and feel in its stone rooms the presence of that distant past.
The tower is easily reached by public transport or walking from the city center, and the surrounding area offers cafes and shops for visitors. It is helpful to check opening hours beforehand, as a guided or self-guided tour through the interior offers deeper understanding of the structure and its past.
The donjon's walls are over 13 feet (4 meters) thick, showing how seriously its builders took defense and what resources the king had at his disposal. This exceptional construction allowed the tower to survive all the city's changes while the surrounding castle long since disappeared.
Location: Rouen
Address: Rue du Donjon, 76000 Rouen, France
Phone: +33235524800
Website: http://donjonderouen.com
GPS coordinates: 49.44646,1.09451
Latest update: December 9, 2025 17:00
The city of Rouen tells its history through its buildings and public spaces. In the city center, the Notre-Dame Cathedral stands tall with detailed Gothic facades and an astronomical clock that has fascinated visitors for centuries. Around it, the small streets of the old town show houses with visible wooden walls, built following local traditions, like Saint-Maclou Church with its detailed cloister. Each corner of the street shows a different time in the city's life, from medieval homes to the changes the city has gone through. The museums in Rouen keep collections that show the local past. There, you can see blacksmith-made objects, evidence of the region’s maritime history, and natural science collections that reveal the curiosity of past centuries. These places give a good break to learn how the Normans shaped their surroundings. The botanical garden is a quiet place for a walk among the plants, and the Sainte-Catherine hill offers views of the roofs and towers of the city.
Rouen Castle
9 m
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen
194 m
Tour Jeanne-d'Arc
9 m
Église Saint-Godard de Rouen
176 m
Square Verdrel
192 m
Rotomagus amphitheatre
23 m
Rouen Ceramic Museum
124 m
Immeuble le Métropole
155 m
Hôtel d'Hocqueville
126 m
Hôtel de l'État-Major et du Conseil de Guerre
191 m
Hôtel de Franquetot
163 m
Hôtel Caillot de Coqueréaumont
161 m
Ceramics Museum - Meeting of Metropolitan Museums (RMM)
129 m
Musée des beaux-arts
194 m
Bibliothèque Jacques Villon
166 m
Esplanade Marcel Duchamp
186 m
Orgue de tribune de l'église Saint-Godard de Rouen
176 m
Maison natale Maurice et Charles Nicolle
191 m
Panis
191 m
Pan
116 m
Michel Anguier
190 m
Nicolas Poussin
182 m
Horizontal
185 m
Mémorial de la déportation
17 m
Water well
70 m
Georges Dubosc
161 m
Guy de Maupassant
178 m
Monument des frères Bérat
189 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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