Crossing Rouen

Rouen has never been a pleasant city to cross, the usual route taking one through an industrial area's dual carraigeway with high speed traffic, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and even the odd lady pushing a pram!

Since a key bridge was damaged, this route has been closed for a couple of years or so, the official alternative being an all-autoroute diversion taking one half way to Dieppe - even more unpleasant.

Being  Mapaholics we found a good alternative, and have been using it ever since - even when the bridge is repaired we will continue to use it, this route being so pleasant, and taking no longer.

From Calais:  Follow the A28 towards the city, through a long tunnel.  You will have noticed that the usual roads to the left  are closed off.  After an underpass you will arrive at a traffic light-controlled junction, where the centre of three lanes is a safe bet.  Cross the junction, and turn L - you will see a church on the R of the road.  Keep tothe R and follow the green route nationale signs for Paris, Elbouef etc.  The river will soon be seen on the R.

Follow the green signs through several roundabouts until you see a blue sign for the A13 - follow this in the direction of Paris through more roundabouts.  Keep following the signs for A13 Paris until you join the A13 at Sortie 21. 

We exit after a couple of juctions tothe N154 to Evreux, which leads to Dreux and Chartres and the A10 at Orleans - almost all of it is dual caraingeway.

From the South:  Join the A13 heading towards Rouen, and exit at Sortie 21 - this is just after an ornate steel sculpture dedicated  to the Vikings.  Follow green signs to Rouen through various  roundabouts, after which the river will be seen on your L.  Watch for the tall spires of the shurch, and start to think about taking the RH lane.  At the traffic lights keep to the R.  Cross the junction and turn R following the signs for the A28 Autoroute, through the tunnel, and onwards to Calais.