A Travel Price Comparison for France Rouen vs. Nice for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Old Town

Should you visit Rouen or Nice?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Nice? 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 relaxing, historical, and charming 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.

Nice

Nice is a beautiful, opulent, and trendy seaside destination. You'll find world class beauty here as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and shopping.

Rouen and Nice: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Nice?

You'll generally find more things to do in Nice than Rouen. Nice is bigger than Rouen, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Nice is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Rouen is more popular for its museums. Nice is more touristy than Rouen and is known for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Also, Nice is famous for The Promenade des Anglais. Rouen is well known for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Rouen different from Nice?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Rouen is a city with good options for its sights and museums. However, Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Nice does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Nice 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, Nice is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

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 Nice Better for Nightlife?

Nice is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

People head to Nice just to party. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Better for Resorts?

Nice is a world-class destination for its resorts. However, Rouen is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Nice is a great choice. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Rouen is not a resort destination.

Is Rouen or Nice Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nice is a popular place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Rouen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Nice has a few good snorkeling spots. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Rouen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Rouen or Nice Better for Beaches?

Nice is notable for the beache. However, Rouen is not a beach destination.

Nice is considered a top beach destination. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Rouen is not a beach destination.

Is Rouen or Nice Better for its Old Town?

Nice is notable for its old town. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town charm.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Nice. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Nice?

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

Nice is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

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 Nice Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Rouen or Nice.

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.

Nice is a family-friendly city. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Is Rouen or Nice Better for Couples?

Nice is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Nice makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Rouen makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

Is Rouen or Nice Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nice is a popular place for backpackers. However, Rouen is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Nice. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

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 Nice Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Rouen and Nice offer excellent 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 Nice can get you to most places easily. There are both buses and trams.

Is Rouen or Nice a more walkable city?

Nice is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Rouen is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its ease of walking around.

It is easy to get around Nice on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Nice or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Nice?

In either Rouen or Nice, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Nice than Rouen because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Rouen, and 3-5 days is enough time in Nice.

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

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

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

One day in Rouen or Nice?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Rouen. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Nice, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this opulent destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This seaside destination 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 Nice?

Rouen is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nice. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Rouen or Nice?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the impressive destination of Rouen. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Nice is a fun place to experience. In Nice, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this quaint destination offers. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Rouen or Nice?

The impressive city of Rouen offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the trendy destination of Nice. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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 Nice, we can see that Nice 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 Nice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nice 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 Nice Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Nice?

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

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 Nice in the Summer?

Both Nice and Rouen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Rouen in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Nice for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Rouen is cooler than Nice in the summer. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 17°C (63°F) in July, and Nice fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Nice. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Nice receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Nice in the Autumn?

Both Nice and Rouen during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Rouen for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Nice because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Rouen is cooler than Nice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rouen in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Nice averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Nice gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rouen usually gets less rain in October than Nice. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nice receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Nice in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rouen and Nice. The winter months attract visitors to Rouen because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Nice this time of year.

The weather in Rouen can be very cold. In January, Rouen is generally much colder than Nice. Daily temperatures in Rouen average around 4°C (39°F), and Nice fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Rouen usually receives less rain than Nice. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nice receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Nice in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rouen as well as Nice. The natural beauty are the main draw to Rouen this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Nice for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Rouen is cooler than Nice in the spring. The daily temperature in Rouen averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Nice fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Rouen usually gets less rain in April than Nice. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Nice receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nice and Rouen