We did not have trouble driving into or out of Rouen which is a city I agree with that. We set google maps on our iPhone to the destination and it took us to our hotel with no trouble. Some of the roads were narrow as they usually are in these old towns. We drove to Giverny from Rouen and again it was easy. We dropped our car off on the way back from Giverny to Rouen. We booked through Auto Europe with a Hertz rental and for some reason ended with a drop off about 15 minutes outside of the historic area on the main rd. Perhaps the one to which Christina was referring. We had to have a taxi take us on this highway into Rouen. As I recall the train station is a bit outside the historic district and the roads are 2 lane. So if you are comfortable driving in European towns, you'll be fine. Actually, sometimes the towns are easier than the small villages to drive in.
While in Rouen check to see if they do the light show on the cathedral. Not sure when they start it each year, but its definitely worth seeing if its on.

You can buy tickets Paris to Rouen at station - very little savings if any by buying in advance - regional trains do not take seat reservations I believe and as train starts in Paris you will find ample empty seats as long as it is not rush hour - first class may be worth the extra money for folks with bags. For lots on French trains check www.sncf.oui - probably can buy ticket for Rouen online and use any regional train that day with it - www.www.seat61.com; www.ricksteves.com and BETS-European Rail Experts.

You could turn the car in at Rennes train station and take bullet train back to Paris - in that case book tickets early as on fast trains you can score neat discounted fares if far enough in advance to get them. Or drive over to Loire Valley for a few days and turn car in at Tours' St-Pierre-des-Corps station and blast via TGV train back to Paris.

To echo the other posters, I loved Rouen, it is absolutely interesting and not worth missing! Rouen has the history of being where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake and is a delightful, charming city. Giverny (and Vernon) is a village IMO and noted for Monet's house. I personally don't know of anyone that has stayed in Giverny but rather go through as a stop enroute to Normandy or make it day-trip from Paris. We took the train from Paris into Rouen. I'm glad you have decided to go there, you will enjoy yourselves!

I didn't have trouble with parking in Rouen either (I drove in and out), but then, I had a good GPS system. :)

Thanks all for more information! We will be armed with a GPS and Michelin maps (my son is an employee)��. We are fine driving in European cities as long as we don’t get caught on tiny narrow streets, so good to know the Rouen station is outside the historic area.

Unfortunately, the light show doesn’t begin until June. However, I imagine we would have missed it anyway. We will undoubtedly be fast asleep given it will be our first night after our flight from the US.

I havent planned out out the end of our trip yet, but we will probably take the TGV from Nantes or Vannes back to Paris. I will definitely book tickets in advance to get the low fare. PalenQ— why is 1st class better with luggage?

Christina—I don’t think my statement is odd. I was factoring in that a taxi takes you directly to your hotel while there is some additional travel time with the RER depending on where your hotel is located.

Agree with kja, I didn't find driving into or out of Rouen difficult. I, too, had my GPS. My hotel was on a pedestrian street but you could ring a bell by the barrier and it would be lowered for you to drive to the hotel to drop and pickup your luggage. Parking was a block or two away.

The transfer at Gare du Nord to the RER E Magenta station was about a four minute walk for us. It was a quick ride over to Lazare, and about 4 more minutes walk into the main Gare for the Rouen Train. I can recommend the Mercure Rouen Centre Cathedral Hotel. We stayed there in 2016 and loved it. When renting the car, I would agree that picking up the car at one of the stations south of the river would be more convenient to getting on the 338.

1st class can be better with luggage IME because seats are bigger - fewer people fending for storage space in overhead luggage racks and fewer seats in same-size train car and often more empty seats where you can sit with your luggage - if train is not crowded not much advantage but if is first class often has more empty seats - marginally more comfy.

All I can say is my marriage nearly ended driving into Rouen. ( That was before common gps, when we used to download directions from Mapquest). It failed to note that a major road changed to oneway, seasonally.

I think even google maps has it fair share of errors. I can imagine a seasonal road change would be one of them.