A Travel Price Comparison for France Rouen vs. Auxerre for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Rouen or Auxerre?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Auxerre? 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 compact, impressive, and relaxing city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a under-rated, undiscovered, and authentic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Rouen and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Auxerre?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Rouen. Although Rouen and Auxerre are both popular with visitors, Rouen has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Rouen is more popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is known for its small town charm. Rouen is more touristy than Auxerre and is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. It is also home to The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. Auxerre is popular for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Rouen different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre 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 Auxerre?

Plenty of people visit the good sights and museums in both Rouen and Auxerre.

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 Auxerre. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

Is the Food Better in Rouen or Auxerre? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Auxerre offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Rouen or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Rouen is very good for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Rouen has a few options to choose from. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Rouen or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is very good for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Rouen has an old town worth visiting. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Auxerre?

Rouen is very good for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Rouen or Auxerre Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Auxerre.

Rouen is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Auxerre is a family-friendly city. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Rouen or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Rouen is great for couples. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Rouen is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Auxerre is a nice destination for couples. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Rouen or Auxerre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Rouen is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

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.

Auxerre has a few public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Rouen or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Rouen is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

For even more information, also check out Is Rouen Worth Visiting? and Is Auxerre Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Rouen or Auxerre to fill your time. In our opinion, Rouen has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Rouen than Auxerre. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Rouen than Auxerre. 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 Auxerre. 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 Rouen than Auxerre 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 Rouen.

One day in Rouen or Auxerre?

In Rouen, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Auxerre, many people enjoy the food and museums that this undiscovered destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Rouen or Auxerre?

In Rouen, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rouen has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. 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 Auxerre?

Rouen is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

A week in Rouen or Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rouen. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and food around the authentic destination of Auxerre. 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 comparing the travel costs between Rouen and Auxerre, we can see that Auxerre is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Auxerre?

Rouen has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Auxerre, 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 Auxerre?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Rouen or Auxerre in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Auxerre. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Auxerre for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Auxerre. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Auxerre averages at about 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auxerre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rouen this time of the year. In the summer, Rouen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in July than Auxerre. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Auxerre in the autumn for the small town atmosphere.

In October, Rouen is generally around the same temperature as Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Rouen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during autumn. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rouen usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rouen or Auxerre in the Winter?

Both Auxerre and Rouen during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rouen in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Auxerre for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Auxerre can be very cold during winter. Rouen can get quite cold in the winter. Rouen is a little warmer than Auxerre in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Auxerre fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Rouen often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Auxerre. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Auxerre in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Auxerre. Most visitors come to Rouen for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Auxerre because of the small town charm.

In the spring, Rouen is cooler than Auxerre. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Auxerre averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Rouen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Auxerre during spring. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rouen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Auxerre. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Rouen