Mindful Travelling in Rouen, France

Skip the bustling, metropolitan, and honestly crowded streets of Paris unless you’re going for the clothes or food. If you vacation in France, instead visit the architecture- and history-rich city of Rouen. Just 90 miles from Paris—about 2 hours by train—Rouen offers a serene escape with a side of culture.

Why Visit Rouen?

Rouen, built on the River Seine, is a history geek’s paradise. There’s a historically important monument on almost every other street you turn into in Rouen. Some must-see landmarks include:

• The iconic Gros Horloge clock tower

• The Church of Joan of Arc, just 5 minutes away

• The Notre Dame Cathedral

• The Abbatiale Saint-Ouen, a short walk from the rest

And for the architecture enthusiasts, the Gothic structures in Rouen are a breathtaking testament to medieval craftsmanship, featuring intricate facades, soaring spires, and stunning stained glass that transport you back in time to the city’s vibrant past.

A Mindful Traveler’s Perspective

A majority of tourists who’ve been to Rouen said it wasn’t worth it. But, remember, travel can mean something different for everyone. Rouen is made for mindful travelers. 

What is Mindful Traveling?

Mindful travel in Rouen is all about uncovering hidden gems. Skip the tourist traps and wander the charming streets—check out that quirky café you’ve stumbled upon and don’t worry about covering the items on your itinerary.

Mindful Traveling encompasses different goals for every traveler. Some might go to Rouen to simply discover a new place and culture, some might go to relive history and take in the gothic architecture. But every traveler who ends up in Rouen, comes out of it a mindful traveler if they weren’t already one. Mindful travelers travel for the joy of self-discovery. They learn to find beauty in small moments and details.

A Day of Mindful Traveling in Rouen

Start your day with a long list of museums to visit in the city and brush up on your history lessons but by sunset you find yourself taking a long break in a quaint cafe, maybe chatting with a local or another tourist, appreciating the last rays of the sun, over a wine bottle.

And the best place to have this experience in Rouen is on the banks of the River Seine.

Steps to Mindful Traveling

Step 1: Self-discovery and self-renewal

How to do that? 

• Slow Down: Forget the rush and truly experience your surroundings. 

• No technology: Becoming more in touch with yourself and your surroundings in a healthy and sustainable way, which means forgoing technology for the length of time that you are paying attention to nature.

• Appreciate the beauty around you: And after you’re away from your four-sided contraption for long enough, you start to appreciate the beauty in the little things around you. And when that’s serene, and tranquil mountains, sparkly beaches, or crowded streets bustling with culture and history, even better.

• Keeping a journal: Keeping a journal is the best way to stay in the present and most importantly, stay in touch with yourself. You put down the places you visited, the things you saw, a memorable instance, or even a particularly gorgeous tree that you saw.

• Talk to Locals: Chatting with locals is a game changer; they’ll point you to the best otherwise hidden spots.

Step 2: Incorporating travel habits into your everyday lifestyle

After you are able to take that long break and have that glass of wine while appreciating the sun without worrying about the big picture, you should incorporate this lifestyle into your everyday life. You might continue writing a journal, going into nature and taking breaks from technology. Direct these habits towards a healthy and balanced lifestyle.