Rouen’s parks: gardens, views and the banks of the Seine
You can do Rouen in trainers, too. Between the gardens in the centre, the Colline Sainte-Catherine and the quays, there’s always a patch of green within walking distance. Here are seven places to walk, picnic or let the children run about.
Jardin des Plantes
The big garden on the left bank, with its central glasshouse, aviaries, peacocks roaming free and some fine specimen trees, such as the ginkgo and the giant sequoia. Playground, merry-go-round, picnic area: enough to fill a whole afternoon with children. Entry is free.
114 ter avenue des Martyrs-de-la-Résistance, 76100 Rouen
Jardin de l’Hôtel-de-Ville
A big, gently sloping lawn at the foot of the abbey church of Saint-Ouen, ideal for a picnic right in the centre. A round pond, horse chestnuts, a large playground, boules and basketball courts. See if you can find the replica of the Jelling stone, brought over from Denmark.
Rue des Faulx, 76000 Rouen
Coming up here: Exposition : Enfants et alcools (until 15 January), Exposition : Fantastique physique ! (11 November to 30 December)
Square Verdrel
The English-style garden just behind the Musée des Beaux-Arts: winding paths, a cascade, a pond and some of the finest trees in the city centre. Playground and toilets on site. Rouen old-timers still sometimes call it the Jardin Solférino.
Rue Jeanne-d’Arc, 76000 Rouen
Coming up here: Inédit ou les coulisses d’une Joaillerie (until 19 March)
Colline Sainte-Catherine
The finest view over Rouen, the one Monet painted. You climb from Rue Henri-Rivière, near the Mont-Gargan cemetery: about 525 steps and three quarters of an hour uphill, and your calves will know about it. Go on a clear day, ideally at sunset.
Rue Henri-Rivière, 76000 Rouen
Presqu’île Rollet
On the left-bank quays, a walk of nearly 2 km runs from the Pont Guillaume-le-Conquérant to the tip of the peninsula, facing the boats and the port’s cranes. Behind the warehouses, the Jardin des Rails has play equipment for children aged 3 to 10. It’s flat all the way, and pushchairs will thank you.
Quai Jean-de-Béthencourt, 76100 Rouen
Coming up here: La Fugue (Saturday 21 Nov, 8:30 pm)
Promenade du Robec
A narrow, shady path follows the Robec, a former industrial river, past mills, dye works and converted textile factories. Allow an hour for the 2.8 km to the outskirts of Darnétal. With a bit of luck, a kingfisher will streak past.
Rue des Petites-Eaux-du-Robec, 76000 Rouen
Parc Saint-Exupéry
The park for sporty types, with football and baseball pitches and jogging paths, and three rivers running through it. Its flowery banks and tall trees (tulip trees, bald cypresses and dawn redwoods) also make it a lovely quiet stroll. Playground, table tennis and picnic tables.
Boulevard Gambetta, 76000 Rouen
Coming up here: CAP sur l’HANDI by ASPTT (Thursday 3 Dec, 10 am to 3 pm)
Updated 10 November 2026.