A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Rouen for Food, Couples, Attractions, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Rouen. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Rouen

Rouen is a historical, charming, and compact city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Saint-Etienne and Rouen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Rouen than Saint-Etienne. While Saint-Etienne is larger than Rouen, Rouen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Rouen is better known for its food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its hiking. Rouen is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is popular for its architectural history, historical monuments, and sense of culture. Also, Rouen is famous for The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Rouen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Saint-Etienne and Rouen.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

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 Saint-Etienne or Rouen? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Rouen is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Rouen has a huge number of terrific 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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rouen Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Saint-Etienne and Rouen.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

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.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rouen Better for its Old Town?

Rouen is a good destination for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Rouen. The old town is where you'll find spectacular Gothic churches and the most charming streets.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rouen Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Rouen is not a hiking destination.

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Rouen is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

Rouen is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Rouen. 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rouen Better for Families?

Both Saint-Etienne and Rouen are notable family-friendly destinations.

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rouen Better for Couples?

Rouen is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rouen 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, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Rouen can get you to some 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.

Saint-Etienne has a few public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Saint-Etienne or Rouen a more walkable city?

Rouen is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Rouen Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rouen or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rouen than Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

In Saint-Etienne, many people enjoy the nightlife and museums that this undiscovered 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the impressive destination of Rouen. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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 Rouen. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

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

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical destination of Rouen. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

A week in Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the park-filled destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 beautiful city of Rouen. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Rouen, 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Rouen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Rouen. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Rouen, 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 Saint-Etienne or Rouen?

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 Saint-Etienne or Rouen in the Summer?

Both Rouen and Saint-Etienne during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Rouen for the family-friendly experiences.

Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Rouen in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Rouen fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Rouen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint-Etienne. In the summer, Saint-Etienne often gets more sunshine than Rouen. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 241 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Rouen. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Rouen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Rouen. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Rouen in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Rouen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Rouen averages at about 12°C (53°F).

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

In October, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Rouen. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Rouen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Rouen. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Rouen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Rouen can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally around the same temperature as Rouen. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Rouen fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rouen. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rouen receives 62 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets less rain in January than Rouen. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Rouen in the Spring?

Both Rouen and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Rouen because of the natural beauty.

Saint-Etienne is a little warmer than Rouen in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Rouen fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rouen during spring. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Rouen receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint-Etienne usually receives more rain than Rouen. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rouen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Rouen and Saint-Etienne