Jumièges from Rouen

Saint Philibert founded the abbey in the seventh century, and the monks adopted the Benedictine rule in the ninth century. Ravaged during the Viking invasions, it recovered thanks to William Longsword. In the eleventh century, the rebuilding of the Notre-Dame abbey church began a long period of prosperity.

After the Revolution, the buildings were sold and partly dismantled. In the nineteenth century, the Romantics nicknamed the site “the most beautiful ruin in France”. The Seine-Maritime Département has owned it since 2007 and has no plans to rebuild it.

You wander freely through the open-air nave, around the Saint-Pierre church, then through the park that climbs towards the abbot's lodge. A one-hour guided tour, in French, starts every day at 11:00 and 15:00. With the Jumièges 3D app, you can see the abbey as it was before it was destroyed.

Notre-Dame abbey church

Its two 46 m towers dominate the site, a major example of Norman Romanesque architecture. Included in admission (€7.50).

Saint-Pierre church

It holds the oldest remains on the site, dating from the late eighth century. Included in admission (€7.50).

The abbot's lodge and its park

The hilly park leads to the lodge, which houses the collections, including a series of sculptures of the apostles. Included in admission (€7.50).

The Jumièges 3D app

A 3D reconstruction of the abbey church, the cloister and the gardens, to use during your visit. Free app, or tablet hire for €5 at reception.

La nuit du Loup vert

A game-tour for families with children from age 7: tablet and parchment in hand, you solve riddles in the ruins.

The guided tour

One hour with a guide to learn the history of the site, every day at 11:00 and 15:00, in French.

Jumièges on the map

Tap a point to see its name. Base map © OpenStreetMap, Protomaps.

Getting there from Rouen

By the 530 bus

Departs from Rouen coach station, 11 rue des Charrettes, near the Théâtre des Arts and the quai du Havre (Gare Routière stop). Get off at the Abbaye de Jumièges stop, right by the entrance. Only some services make the detour via Jumièges: all of those on Sundays and bank holidays, and a few during certain school holidays. Allow about 13 min on foot from the Busmandy stop (left bank) to this coach station.

On Sundays and bank holidays

7 departures from Rouen: 10:00, 11:15, 13:25, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 19:50. Allow 43 min to the Base de loisirs de Jumièges stop, the Abbaye stop comes just after. To get back, the bus passes the leisure park at 10:22, 11:37, 12:32, 14:42, 16:22, 17:57 and 19:37 (the Abbaye stop is served just before), then 47 min to Rouen.

During certain holidays

During the orange (Monday to Friday) and yellow (Monday to Saturday) periods on the timetable, 3 departures from Rouen go via Jumièges: 8:10, 10:00 and 13:00, about 44 min to the leisure park. Returns from the leisure park at 11:22, 16:17, 17:12 and 18:17.

On other days

Get off at Duclair Centre and call the Filo'R on-demand service on 0800 649 649.

Ticket

Rouen and Jumièges are both part of the Métropole Rouen Normandie: on this route, an Astuce network ticket applies, even on board the bus.

Days with no service

No 530 bus on 1 May. The abbey is closed that day.

Prices and opening hours

Prices

Full price €7.50. Reduced price €6, notably for visitors arriving by low-carbon transport. Free up to age 18, for students up to age 26, jobseekers, people on minimum social benefits and disabled visitors with their companion. Pass découverte at €25, valid for 1 year at six sites of the Seine-Maritime Département. Payment by cash, card or ANCV holiday voucher.

Opening hours

Open all year round. From 15 April to 15 September: 9:30 to 18:30. From 16 September to 14 April: 9:30 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 17:30. Last entry 30 min before closing. Closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 November, 11 November and 25 December.

Prices and times can change: check the official website before you go.

Top tips

• Come on a Sunday or a bank holiday: these are the only days when every 530 bus goes via the abbey. Check the colour of your date on the timetable calendar before you go.
• Allow 1 h 30 for the visit. Wear good shoes: the park is hilly, with gravel paths and a few steps.
• Accessibility: step-free entrance and a wheelchair on loan at reception, but the sloping park requires assistance and the upper floor of the abbot's lodge is reached by stairs. Animals are not allowed, except guide and assistance dogs.
• Until April 2027, the gatehouse is being renovated: reception and ticketing are in temporary facilities, and the site stays open.

Flying into Beauvais airport?

The Busmandy shuttle, official partner of Beauvais airport, takes you to Rouen by direct coach, in 1 h 40, from €23.90. You arrive at the Busmandy stop, halte de Champlain (see on Google Maps), about 10 min walk from the centre: base yourself in Rouen and visit Jumièges as a day trip.

Frequently asked questions