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

Should you visit Rouen or Reims?

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

Should I visit Rouen or Reims? 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.

Reims

Reims is a relaxing, scenic, and cultural 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 Reims: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Rouen or Reims?

Both Reims and Rouen have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Rouen is more popular for its historical sights, while Reims is known for its food and shopping. Reims is more touristy than Rouen and is known for its Champagne Houses, impressive architecture, and beautiful cathedral. Rouen is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture.

How is Rouen different from Reims?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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 Reims. Sights around town include Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Palais du Tau, Basilique Saint-Rémi, and Musée des Beaux-Arts.

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

Reims 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, Reims is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. While its famous for its Champagne, the city also has Michelin starred restaurants, local produce, and an amazing regional cuisine. The region is known for its ham, cheese, mustard, and truffles.

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 Reims Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Rouen and Reims.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Rouen. You'll find wine bars, trendy cocktail bars, and local pubs where you can grab a drink.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Reims. The nightlife scene is relaxing but active. Most locals hang out with friends at local bars near Place Drouet d'Erlon or the Rue Chanzy area. Bars have a combination of local beers and Champagne.

Is Rouen or Reims Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Reims 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.

Reims does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Rouen or Reims?

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

Reims is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. You'll find not only Champagne, but also jewellry, designer fashion, and chocolate. The best shopping is located around the Place Drouet d'Erlon which is a pedestrian area. Also check out the shopping streets of Rue de Vesle and Cours Langlet.

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 Reims Better for Families?

Rouen is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Reims 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, Reims is not always the best place to visit. Kids will enjoy exploring the historical city center or visiting the Palace of Tau. For a unique activity, view the region from above with a hot air balloon ride.

Is Rouen or Reims Better for Couples?

Reims 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.

Reims makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This romantic area is perfect for couples who enjoy wine and history. There is beautiful architecture as well as wine tours and breathtaking hot air balloon rides. Visiting the Champagne Houses is a must for any couple visiting the area.

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 Reims Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Reims. It's located in the Champagne region, which isn't often associated with backpackers, but it's still not to be missed.

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

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

Rouen offers a very effecient public transportation network. 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 Reims offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. In town there are buses and trams, but to get into the countryside you'll need your own car.

Is Rouen or Reims a more walkable city?

Rouen and Reims 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.

Reims is a very walkable destination. You can explore the city on foot and reach many local Champagne Houses. If you really want to explore everything in depth, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Reims or Rouen?

How long in Rouen or Reims?

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

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

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

One day in Rouen or Reims?

In Rouen, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this charming destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

In Reims, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this relaxing 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 Reims?

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

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

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

Reims is a fun place to experience. In Reims, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the food. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Rouen or Reims?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the scenic destination of Reims. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rouen and Reims, we can see that Reims 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 Reims would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reims 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 Reims Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Rouen or Reims?

Reims has a larger population, and is about 74% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Rouen and Reims, 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 Reims?

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 Reims in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Rouen is around the same temperature as Reims. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rouen in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Reims averages at about 19°C (65°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Reims this time of the year. In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rouen usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Reims during summer. Rouen gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Reims receives 235 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rouen usually receives more rain than Reims. Rouen gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Reims receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Rouen or Reims in the Autumn?

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

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

In the autumn, Rouen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reims. Rouen gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reims receives 122 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in October than Reims. Rouen gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Reims receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Rouen or Reims in the Winter?

Both Reims 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 Reims because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

Rouen usually receives more sunshine than Reims during winter. Rouen gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Reims receives 50 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rouen usually receives more rain than Reims. Rouen gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Reims receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Rouen or Reims in the Spring?

Both Reims 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 Reims this time of year.

In the spring, Rouen is around the same temperature as Reims. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rouen in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Reims averages at about 9°C (49°F).

In the spring, Rouen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Reims. Rouen gets 172 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reims receives 172 hours of full sun.

Rouen usually gets more rain in April than Reims. Rouen gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Reims receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Reims and Rouen