This evocative circa-1960 travel poster by Jean Aujame celebrates Rouen as a “Ville Musée” — literally a “museum city.” The phrase perfectly captures the Norman capital’s rich artistic and architectural heritage, long admired for its medieval streets, Gothic churches, and riverside atmosphere.
Aujame’s painterly composition presents Rouen from an elevated vantage point along the Seine. The cathedral spires, bridges, and waterfront architecture emerge in soft yet vibrant tones, while a solitary figure in the foreground suggests quiet contemplation — reinforcing the idea of Rouen as a place to absorb history, art, and scenery.
Stylistically, the poster reflects mid-20th-century French tourism graphics, where fine-art sensibility merged with promotional design. The brushwork recalls modern painting more than commercial illustration, highlighting France’s cultural identity while inviting travelers to experience it firsthand.
Today, this poster remains a beautiful testament to postwar cultural tourism in France, presenting Rouen not simply as a destination, but as a living gallery where history, landscape, and everyday life intersect.
Original Poster
Tourism - Seine-Maritime - France
Printed by Mourlot in Paris
Good condition
Sign up & benefit from discounts or exclusive offers.