Sotteville-lès-Rouen, commune in Seine-Maritime, France
Sotteville-lès-Rouen is a small town in Normandy linked closely to railway heritage, with the historic station featuring a prominent clock tower still visible today. The town mixes older houses with newer buildings, local shops, green spaces such as Parc Urbain Naturel and Jardin des Plantes, and street art murals that add color to everyday surroundings.
The town developed in the 1800s as a railway hub when trains from Paris began stopping here and major workshops were established. After World War II, the damaged church was replaced by a modern building that reflected new post-war architectural thinking.
The railway station with its clock tower shapes how locals view their town and reminds them of the railway heritage that defined the place. This connection to train history remains central to how people think about and experience the community today.
The town center is easy to walk through with all main sights and shops within short distances of each other. Wear comfortable shoes as streets mix paved sections with cobblestone paths that can be uneven in places.
Pacific 231 G 558, a powerful steam locomotive built in the 1920s, sits near the town hall and is occasionally fired up during special events. When running, the steam and distinctive train sounds fill the air, bringing the early days of modern rail travel back to life.
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