Last month we introduced you to the fact that French in Normandy IH Rouen is the only green standard school in France. This month we are going to shift our focus to the school’s location only to emphasise how important sustainability is, not only to the school, but also to the city where it is situated.

What can one find in Rouen?

Generally, when people think of studying in France, the first choice might be Paris, however, today we are going to share with you some reasons as to why Rouen is perhaps a better idea.

1. First of all, we are just an hour away from the French capital, which means that our students can have the best of both worlds.
2. For the foodies, Rouen is the gourmet capital of Normandy, meaning that one can enjoy the best that French cuisine has to offer, at a fraction of the price they’d have to pay in the capital.
3. For the history buffs and culture vultures, Rouen is definitely the place to be with its many links to art and culture and its close proximity to the Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches that take us back to WW2.
4. For the shopaholics, Rouen is a shopping paradise with so many famous brands located within walking distance from each other, making this the perfect spot for anyone who wants to combine a little bit of shopping with French lessons.
5. For the environmentalists, did you know that Rouen has a green standard policy? Indeed, the parts of the city which are  low-emissions zones are being expanded and more vehicle categories will be affected over time. Another interesting point to consider is that for those travelling by car, there are stickers called "air quality certificates" (Certificats qualité de l'air) which are mandatory for French and foreign vehicles in order to continue enhancing the city’s air quality.

There’s something for everyone in Rouen

As you can see from the points above, there is really something for everyone in Rouen. This is not to mention that one of the main landmarks in the city is the modern church that has been built in honour of St Joan of Arc. Legend has it that the 13th century martyr tied to a stake and burnt to death on May 30, 1431, when she was just nineteen years old as she was fighting on behalf of the son of the dead French King Charles VI, who had had his throne stolen from him.

Students who have a particular interest in history, gastronomy, and culture are certainly in for a good time when visiting Rouen. 

On top of that, the importance of sustainability and green standards echo throughout the city and the school itself, so much so that anyone who has sustainability at heart would appreciate the fact that the school is very much aware of its wider role in minimising environmental impact while ensuring comfort and ease of access to all the students who choose to study at the school.