A Travel Price Comparison for France Rouen vs. Nantes for Food, Attractions, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Rouen or Nantes?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Nantes? 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. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Nantes

Nantes is a vibrant, welcoming, and friendly city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Rouen and Nantes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Nantes?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Nantes than Rouen, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Nantes is popular for its castles and historical landmarks, local wine, and beautiful parks and gardens. It is also home to The Castle of the Dukes of Brittany.

How is Rouen different from Nantes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Nantes is notable for its sights and museums. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Nantes offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is filled with historical monuments, particularly in the Bouffay District. Highlights include Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul, Château des Ducs de Bretagne, and the Musée d'Arts de Nantes.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Rouen. 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.

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

Nantes 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, Nantes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The region lends itself to unique flavors with a great mix of seafood from the Atlantic, freshwater fish from the Loire, and dairy from the surrounding countryside. The region is also famous for its wine. Local dishes that you should try include Filet de Sandre au Beurre Blanc (fresh fish in butter sauce), Crepes Bretonnes (breakfast crepes), and Le Canard Nantais (duck with Muscadet wine).

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 Nantes Better for Nightlife?

Nantes is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Nantes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The large student population heavily influences the nightlife scene. You'll find a young vibe with a lot of bars and clubs to choose from, particularly around Île de Nantes.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

Is Rouen or Nantes Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the good old towns in both Rouen and Nantes.

Many people head to Rouen to see the old town. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Nantes has an old town worth visiting. The city's old town is in the Bouffay District and it is filled with half-timbered houses and a maze of streets and shops.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Nantes?

Nantes is notable for its shopping opportunities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

Nantes is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are impressive shopping streets, boutique stores, and grand shopping malls. Make sure you check out Rue Crébillon, Passage Pommeraye, and the shops around the Bouffay District. Talensac Market is also a historical covered market that you can explore.

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 Nantes Better for Families?

Nantes is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nantes is a very kid-friendly city. It's filled with gardens, museums, and theme parks, making it a great combination of fascinating activities for adults and kids alike. Some of the top kid-friendly activities include a visit to Machine of the Isle of Nantes (both a theme park and a museum), seeing a show at Le Lieu Unique, or experiencing Naudières Park (a smaller theme park). Kids will also enjoy seeing Goulaine Castle or wandering around Jardin Extraordinaire or the Botanical Gardens.

Rouen is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Rouen or Nantes Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Rouen and Nantes 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.

Nantes makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There is a mix of both natural and historical beauty. Couples can enjoy a nice meal, stroll through one of the many parks and gardens, or even spend the day at the spa.

Is Rouen or Nantes Better for Students?

Nantes is a popular place for students. However, Rouen is not popular with students.

Nantes is a good city to visit for students. There's a decent sized student population and the city has a welcoming atmosphere. It's also easy to get around with public transportation.

Rouen is not popular with students.

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

Both Rouen and Nantes offer very good public transit options.

Rouen has some very good public transit options. 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.

The public transit in Nantes can get you to most places easily. There are both trams and buses throughout the city that are operated by TAN (Transport de l'Agglomeration Nantaise).

Is Rouen or Nantes a more walkable city?

Rouen and Nantes 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.

Nantes is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable. Both locals and tourists alike choose to walk in Nantes.

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

Should I spend more time in Nantes or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Nantes?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Rouen and Nantes. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Nantes than in Rouen. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 2-3 days is enough time in Nantes.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nantes 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 Nantes.

One day in Rouen or Nantes?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rouen. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Nantes, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this welcoming destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This city 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 Nantes?

Rouen is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rouen. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

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

A week in Rouen or Nantes?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Rouen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Nantes. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. 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 Nantes, we can see that Rouen 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 Nantes Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Nantes?

Nantes has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Nantes, 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 Nantes?

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 Nantes in the Summer?

Both Nantes and Rouen during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Nantes in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rouen is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Nantes averages at about 19°C (67°F).

In Nantes, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rouen. In the summer, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 267 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in July than Nantes. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Nantes in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Nantes. Many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nantes for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Rouen is generally cooler than Nantes. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 12°C (53°F), and Nantes fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during autumn. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rouen usually receives less rain than Nantes. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Rouen or Nantes in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Nantes. Most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Nantes because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Rouen is cooler than Nantes in the winter. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 4°C (39°F) in January, and Nantes fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Rouen often gets less sunshine than Nantes. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nantes receives 72 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets less rain in January than Nantes. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nantes receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Nantes in the Spring?

Both Nantes and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Nantes this time of year.

In the spring, Rouen is cooler than Nantes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Nantes averages at about 11°C (51°F).

Rouen usually receives less sunshine than Nantes during spring. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Nantes receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Nantes and Rouen