Fodor's Expert Review Gros-Horloge

The name of the pedestrian rue du Gros-Horloge, Rouen's most popular street, comes from the Gros-Horloge itself, a giant Renaissance clock. In 1527 the Rouennais had a splendid arch built especially for it, and today its golden face looks out over the street. Inside the monument, you can see the clock's inner workings from the 15th-century belfry; audio guides are available in eight languages, with a special, Alice in Wonderland–themed guide (in English and French) for kids 6–12. Though the street below is crammed with stores, a few old houses dating to the 16th century remain. Wander through the surrounding Vieux Rouen (Old Rouen), a warren of tiny streets lined with more than 700 half-timber houses, many artfully transformed into fashionable shops.