Hi folks,
Travelling from Dieppe to Deux Sevres (and vice versa), my satnav takes me through Rouen.
Last time two times I did the journey, there were extensive roadworks in Rouen which turned it into a bit of a nightmare.
Has anyone been through Rouen recently? Is it any better? Have the roadworks been completed?
Ta in advance.
This is Rouen you’re talking about. I haven’t been through it for about 3 years now but used to do it a lot. But from comments on here I thought it had much improved.
Before that it’s been a struggle to get through if it’s on your route for many, many years (I’m usually going to or from the ferry but have occasionally ventured within it.)
I do remember that one of the ways I avoided the worst of the various blockages was that going South, as soon as I 'd got onto that longish bridge that is kind of the North entrance to Rouen, I reprogrammed the satnav to Elbeuf (ie replaced my long distance destination, with Elbeuf).
Then ignored all street signs just folllowed the satnav directions to Elbeuf. Then when near Elbeuf, switched back to my real destination.
That seemed to take me a much less painful route around Rouen.
We went through there a couple of times April/May and it wasn’t too bad then.
Just returned to UK on Monday and didnt note anything of worry, mind you I used Pont de Larche D6015 rather than zone industrial or voie rapide. The time of the travel through Rouen makes a bit of difference.
Edit; just looked via google and Waze, it looks like a bit of roadworks on the N338 Voie Rapide just after pont flaubert. Also a little bit on the A13 southern stretch
Bison fute Good for traffic info
I think it depends on time of day - if you are coming off a Newhaven-Dieppe ferry that arrives at 5am it’s fine!
In the past I’ve tried both the NW route down the A150 and through Le Grand Quevilly and the NE route (N128 / D18E) and they were much of a muchness.
When I went down to Charente in June however I was planning to stop for a break at the autoroute services at Aire de Bosgouet Nord on the A13, and my satnav took me off the A150 and down the D351 to the west of Rouen and over a small car ferry across the Seine at La Bouille, then up a very twisty (almost Alpine!) road up the river escarpment, which was fun!
Probably not quicker, but there was definitely less traffic!
I know that one! It actually avoids the Crit Air zone for those who dont know where to put their sticker 
Aire du Reginald Bosanquet as we call it 
We were there around May this year. The satnav chose a different route (we didn’t see the famous plastic cow roundabout, for example) and we went through the centre. It was much better than it had been. This was midweek (outward) and Sunday (inward).
We are in the fortunate position of being able to choose our travel days, so we avoid Monday and Friday in the UK, which tends to mean travelling in France on Wednesdays, Thursdays or the weekend.
Bonus!
Ah yes, the Reggie Memorial Aire de Service…
We travel through Rouen a couple of times a month, through the industrial area. Last time was yesterday no problems, just hit traffic lights wrong.
Thanks everyone for your replies, I’m not so worried about traversing Rouen as I was 
I’m a bit confused why you need to. For years our GPS took us, badly, through Rouen but last trip discovered the free motorway that just takes you around.
? Used to be a couple of euros, have they made it free? A13 stretch presumably.
Came through Rouen on Thursday, no hold ups or roadworks.
Oy maybe it was, but no more than that! Well worth it though to avoid the centre. I remember when Remy was a tiny baby crying and the GPS dropped out going through tunnels, nightmare!
Do you mean the A13? That works if you are going from Paris to Normandie but not so much for us Britanniques going north-south to and from the Channel ports…
I think there is a geographical problem with improving the north-south route at Rouen - the town sits in a loop of the Seine and there are high escarpments that the river has carved out, so either a big detour or a whacking great bridge would be needed to make an effective bypass.
Apparently there is (or was) a plan to build a north-south autoroute bypass on the eastern side of Rouen, but all such plans are on hold for further consideration, after environmental protests:
I am more familiar with Rouen these days so I find it poses no issue any more. I prefer D6015 and Pont de l’arche.
Honestly don’t know just remember being pleased not to have to go through town we were coming from Chatres and heading to Dieppe.
As always I suppose it depends where you are heading for/from. Going to the Loire or down to Charente I usually want to get on to the A28 so Pont de L’arche is bit to far east for me.
Yes depends where you are going but I am going to the Loire but use the N154 and other asociated connecting roads like D910, N12 etc. Pont de L’Arche is still viable from Calais side as you can climb up the A13 to get to the A28.