Student Accommodation in Rouen

Famous as the historic capital of Normandy, Rouen is one of the best cities to be at if you are a student or a professional. There are more than a dozen higher education institutions in the city that provide some of the best education in the whole of the European Union.

Therefore, thousands of students come to the city every year to pursue their dreams, and this creates an excessive demand for student accommodation in Rouen. The rent for student properties in Rouen ranges between €360 and €420 per month, but finding the right property might be a hassle. Therefore, to help these students, University Living boasts a pool of several hundred properties for students to choose from! We provide the best solutions for every student, depending on their choices and preferences.

Rouen is home to some of the top universities in France, and therefore, several thousand students come to the city every year to become a part of the vibrant student community of Rouen. These students fly in from all across the world, and therefore, one of the major problems they face even before coming to the city is finding the right student property. Student accommodations in France are divided into 2 major types, namely, Student Housing and Private Apartments. These have been explained briefly below:

Student Housing

Also referred to as Purpose-Built Student Accommodations (PBSA), these are special properties that are built specifically for students. The best part about these properties is that most of them include utility bills like electricity, water, and gas in their rent. Plus, several other amenities are provided that a student might require while pursuing their education in the city. These properties are further divided into 4 types which have been explained below:

• Shared Apartments: These are the most affordable student rooms in Rouen and are mostly preferred by first-year students who are new to the country. This not only helps them socialise but also makes sure that students always have someone to rely upon while coming to a new country. In a shared apartment, students get to share a room with 2/3 other occupants along with a shared bathroom, living room, and kitchen.

• En-Suite Accommodations: These are the most preferred type of student accommodation in Rouen, as students get to have an entire room for themselves along with a bathroom, a shared living room, and a shared kitchen. These cost a bit more than a shared apartment but offer better privacy and comfort.

• Non-En-Suite Accommodations: These properties are very similar to an En-Suite Accommodation. The only visible difference between the two is that in a Non-Ensuite Accommodation, students do not get a bathroom attached to a room. They only get a personal room, and the bathroom is shared among other occupants of the property.

• Studio Apartments: These apartments are the best properties for students who wish to have a high level of privacy and comfort. A studio apartment is an independent unit in which students get to have an entire room for themselves along with a bathroom and an attached kitchen. These are also one of the most expensive options for student accommodation in Rouen. However, every single penny spent is worth it!

Private Apartments

A private apartment is one of the best properties that you can get as a student in Rouen. Students get to have an entire apartment with 2/3 rooms for themselves, along with bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. All of this is for just one person.

However, these properties are best suited for working professionals and 3rd or 4th year students who know about the city and can manage their expenses properly. This is because, unlike PBSAs, the rent in Private Apartments does not include utility bills like electricity, water, gas, and Wi-Fi bills. Every expense that you make is an extra on top of the rent. Also, these properties might come with some or no furnishing at all!

Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, is a "museum city" where medieval architecture meets a profound legacy. The skyline is dominated by the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which boasts the tallest spire in France and served as the muse for Claude Monet’s Impressionist masterpieces. Walking through the old town reveals a labyrinth of cobblestone streets lined with over 2,000 half-timbered houses and the Gros-Horloge, a Renaissance clock tower that has been ticking since the 14th century. However, the city is also defined by its solemn history as the site where Joan of Arc was martyred in 1431, an event memorialized at the Place du Vieux-Marché.

Beyond its Gothic stone and timber, modern Rouen thrives as a vibrant educational and gastronomic hub. Home to over 45,000 students, the city maintains a youthful energy that spills out into its lively cafe terraces and UNESCO-recognized culinary scene. As a major river port on the Seine, it serves as a gateway between Paris and the coast, blending its prestigious past with a dynamic role in contemporary French culture. Whether you are exploring the heart of Richard the Lionheart inside the cathedral or visiting its world-class art museums, Rouen offers an immersive journey through the centuries.

Rouen is home to more than 120,000 residents, and these people stay in some of the most aesthetically pleasing cities in the country. It is a very safe city, and therefore, students can literally stay in any neighbourhood. However, since birds of the same feather flock together, students are recommended to stay in areas that already have an established student community so that they can reach out to their peers in case of any emergencies and concerns. Some of the best areas to live in Rouen have been explained briefly below:

Centre-Ville (Rive Droite)

One of the best neighborhoods for student accommodation in Rouen is Centre-Ville, and is the historic city center, located in the heart of Rouen. This is one of the most aesthetic neighbourhoods for student properties in the city and the Université de Rouen Normandie is a short 5-minute walk from the neighbourhood! This is one of the most desirable location for students who want to live in the middle of everything: cafes, shops, bars, and cultural attractions. This neighbourhood is home to one of the most gorgeous landmarks of the city, the Gros-Horloge, which is a stunning 14th-century astronomical clock arch spanning the main pedestrian street. This is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in the city! The neighbourhood also houses the famous Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, an iconic Gothic cathedral famously painted by Monet multiple times. Students visit the cathedral for its stunning facade, free entry, and the summer son-et-lumière light show. If you ever crave a few drinks in the neighbourhood, one of the best bars in the city can also be found in Centre-Ville, the Bar Jacques, which is a legendary student bar on Rue Ecuyère, and is known for cheap drinks, loud music, and a packed terrace.

Gare – Jouvenet

Situated on the heights of the Right Bank around the SNCF train station, Gare Jouvenet is another one of the top neighbourhoods for student apartments in Rouen. This area is located a short 10-minute walk from the university and offers a quieter living experience with a residential vibe while still being close to the city centre. The area has undergone significant modernisation, with improved pedestrian access and bike lanes. One of the best parts about this neighbourhood is that it houses the main train station in Rouen, and students use the train services for weekend trips to Paris, which is just 1:30 hours away! It is also home to the famous Rue Verte, a lively street in the Jouvenet area known for its local shops, bakeries, and affordable student-friendly restaurants! One of the best recreational spots in the neighbourhood which is frequented by students and locals alike is the Jardin de l'Hôtel de Ville, a beautiful public garden behind City Hall, which is used by students for picnics, studying outdoors, or relaxing between classes.

Quartier Saint-Marc

For the students of IAE Rouen and CHU Hôpitaux de Rouen, one of the best neighbourhoods for student properties in Rouen is Quartier Saint-Marc, as both these universities are located a short 5-minute walk from the neighbourhood! This area also boasts great transport connectivity to the rest of the city, and therefore, is preferred by students! The area has a more functional, academic feel than the historic centre which further helps students study at peace without the hustle-bustle of the city center! Quartier Saint-Marc houses the famous CHU Hôpitaux de Rouen, which is a massive university hospital complex and has some really affordable sandwich shops and cafes catering to staff and students. If you crave good baguette sandwiches, quiches, and pastries, the Boulangerie Saint-Marc, is a popular local bakery which provides students with a quick budget-friendly lunch option! The Parc de l'Arquet is a small, quiet park in the neighbourhood and is visited by students for study breaks, jogging, or relaxing away from the busier centre.

Saint-Sever

One of the most affordable neighbourhoods for student apartments in Rouen is Saint-Sever. Once considered less desirable, the Saint-Sever district has undergone significant regeneration and is now a smart, practical choice for budget-conscious students. The main advantage for students is the affordability of the neighbourhood. Saint Sever boasts great transport connectivity throughout the city and is, therefore, a more practical option than other neighbourhoods in the city! Saint Sever is also home to the Centre Commercial Saint-Sever, which is one of the largest shopping centres in Normandy. Students use it constantly for groceries, affordable clothing, and the cinema complex. The neighbourhood also houses the Théâtre des Arts, a striking modern theatre and concert hall on the Left Bank. The best part about this theatre is that students can access discounted tickets for plays, classical music, and contemporary performances. Another one of the best recreational spots in the city includes Jardin de la Poterne, a peaceful garden along the Seine with walking paths and views of the Rouen cathedral across the river. A quiet study spot away from the crowds!

Despite being the historic capital of Normandy, Rouen has a relatively lower cost of living than other major capital cities in Europe. Students can expect to spend an entire month in Rouen for just under €1000- €1200 if they plan their budget right and stick to it. The cost of living in Rouen depends on various factors, like how often you go out for dinner, if you choose an Uber or public transport to commute to the university, or how often you go out for movie dates or a bar spree in the city.

However, to make things easier for students, here is a table explaining how much you can expect to spend in a month in Rouen:

PS: These figures are tentative and might vary based on your expenditure and lifestyle. However, if the funds are managed properly, students can expect to live well under €1000 per month in Rouen. To get a better idea of expenses, try University Living's exclusive cost-of-living calculator for free!

When it comes to student apartments in Rouen, there are a plethora of options to choose from. However, not every property is best suited for you. It is important for students to understand that choosing the right property is essential. The property that you choose must be located in close proximity to the university and major points in the city so that you can save on travelling expenses. The average rent for student accommodation in Rouen ranges between €360 and €420 per month, and the top properties have been explained briefly below:

• Rue Cesar Franck

• Rue Hector Berlioz

• Room in Rue Dambourney

Book the top student properties in Rouen at the best prices and unlock great discounts now!

The population of Rouen is around 120,000 and therefore, in order to make commuting easier for students and residents, Rouen has developed an extensive network of public transit systems that help them travel from one place to another. These services act as a lifeline for the residents and are greatly used by students for everyday university travel. The various modes of public transit include buses and metro rail systems. These have been explained briefly below:

Metro

One of the fastest modes of public transit for students in the city is the Metro service. Technically a light rail system, these services serve the city center and southern suburbs and are divided into 2 broad lines in order to boast greater connectivity! Branch 1 and Branch 2. The metro runs through five communes: Rouen, Petit-Quevilly, Grand-Quevilly, Sotteville-lès-Rouen, and Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray. The first metro runs every day from 5:00 AM, while the last metro runs till 12:30 AM.

TEOR (Transport Est Ouest Rouennais)

The bus services in Rouen are some of the best in the region and are managed by the Transport Est Ouest Rouennais or TEOR, which is a rapid bus transit system with 5 dedicated lines which ensure last mille connectivity throughout the city! These buses run on reserved lanes, making them faster and more reliable than standard buses, and have a very high frequency, with buses coming in every 6 minutes! The TEOR has 5 dedicated lanes, namely T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, which ensure last mile connectivity throughout the city!

Rouen is one of the best cities in France and has some great places where students can visit and enjoy their free time. The architecture of the city itself is mesmerising and amazing to look at. Here are some of the top tourist attractions for students in Rouen that also attract several thousand tourists to these historical places:

• Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen (Rouen Cathedral)

• Gros-Horloge (Great Clock)

• Place du Vieux-Marché

• Église Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc (Church of Saint Joan of Arc)

• Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen (Museum of Fine Arts)

• Aître Saint-Maclou (Saint-Maclou Ossuary)

• Église Saint-Maclou

• Tour Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc Tower)

• Jardin des Plantes de Rouen (Botanical Garden)

• Panorama XXL (by the Seine River)

These places are some of the most visited in the city and, therefore, are absolutely loved by students and are a must-visit!