A Travel Price Comparison for France Rouen vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Rouen or Aix-en-Provence? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Rouen

Rouen is a impressive, relaxing, and historical city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a historic, vibrant, and laid-back town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Rouen and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Rouen than Aix-en-Provence. While Aix-en-Provence is larger than Rouen, Rouen has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Rouen is more popular for its nightlife and historical sights, while Aix-en-Provence is known for its food and shopping. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. It is also home to The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. Aix-en-Provence is popular for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Rouen different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Rouen. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Rouen and Aix-en-Provence.

Rouen offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find the highest concentration of sights in the city's pedestrian zone. Highlights that you should check out include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, and Aître Saint-Maclou.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Aix-en-Provence. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Is the Food Better in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Aix-en-Provence is a world-class destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, Aix-en-Provence is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Rouen has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are many local specialties found in town. Make sure you try the Passe Crassane, which is a French pear. The town is also known for its cheese, chocolate, and pastries.

Is Rouen or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Rouen has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Rouen or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Rouen offers a nice historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Aix-en-Provence make it a world-class shopping destination. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Rouen has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Some of the city's best shopping is found along the Rue du Gros-Horloge in the old city center. You'll find independent boutiques and well as upscale vendors.

Is Rouen or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Rouen. This beautiful city is filled with nice parks, free museums, and towers that offer views over the city. Kids will enjoy climbing the clocktower, eating pastries, or riding a bike around town.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Rouen or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and Aix-en-Provence make for a very good place to visit.

Rouen is a very popular place to visit for couples. The beautiful city makes a great retreat for couples who enjoy good food and nice architecture. There are many hidden gems around town that make this a favorite French city for many couples.

Aix-en-Provence makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Rouen or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aix-en-Provence is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Aix-en-Provence. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Rouen is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpackers may struggle to find a hostel with a social setting, but for those who make it here there are many beautiful things to see.

Is Rouen or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is notable for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Aix-en-Provence is a very popular town for students and younger travelers. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Rouen is not popular with students.

Is Rouen or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rouen is well known for its public transit. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Rouen can get you to most places easily. The city has two agencies that offer public transportation. Métro du Rouen is a tramway that runs north to south from Boulingrin in the north to Saint-Sever, where it branches off into two lines (one to Technopôle and one to Georges Braque). There are also buses and rail connections to town.

While Aix-en-Provence offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Rouen or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Rouen and Aix-en-Provence both are very good when exploring on foot.

Rouen is a very walkable city. There are many parts of town that can easily be explored on foot.

Aix-en-Provence is a very walkable destination. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Rouen or Aix-en-Provence. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Aix-en-Provence due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 2-4 days is enough time in Aix-en-Provence.

Families should spend more time in Rouen than Aix-en-Provence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Rouen, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Rouen than Aix-en-Provence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Rouen that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Rouen if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Aix-en-Provence.

One day in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

The relaxing destination of Rouen offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Aix-en-Provence, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this relaxing destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

The city of Rouen offers food and shopping. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aix-en-Provence. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

Rouen is a great place to explore. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Aix-en-Provence is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Aix-en-Provence. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rouen. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Aix-en-Provence. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France, and The Best Luxury Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rouen and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. And not only is Rouen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rouen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rouen and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Aix-en-Provence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aix-en-Provence than you might in Rouen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rouen Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 30% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Aix-en-Provence, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Rouen or Aix-en-Provence?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Rouen or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Aix-en-Provence. Many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 24°C (75°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Aix-en-Provence this time of the year. In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 366 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Aix-en-Provence. Many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Rouen is generally cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Aix-en-Provence. In the autumn, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 205 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Aix-en-Provence. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Rouen is much colder than Aix-en-Provence in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Aix-en-Provence receives 150 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rouen usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Rouen during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Aix-en-Provence this time of year.

In the spring, Rouen is cooler than Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In Aix-en-Provence, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Aix-en-Provence. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Aix-en-Provence receives 245 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Aix-en-Provence. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Rouen