Henri Beau’s Le port de Rouen presents a sweeping view of Rouen and the Seine from an elevated hillside overlooking the city and its harbour. The river curves broadly through the centre of the composition, bordered by quays, warehouses and industrial buildings, while the clustered forms of Rouen rise beyond. Church spires and towers punctuate the distant skyline, softened by the pale atmospheric haze.

Beau frames the view dramatically with the tall, dark trees at the right, their deep greens and purples contrasting with the luminous blues, yellows and soft pinks of the river valley. In the foreground, sunlit grassy slopes descend toward a small group of houses, establishing the height of the viewpoint and leading the eye toward the port below. The opposite hillside catches touches of green and violet, while small flashes of red and orange along the waterfront suggest boats, roofs and harbour activity.

Painted with loose, energetic brushwork and an Impressionist sensitivity to light and atmosphere, Le port de Rouen emphasizes the expansive geography of the Seine valley rather than precise architectural detail. The combination of the curving river, distant city and heavily wooded foreground gives the scene both depth and a sense of quiet observation from the hills above Rouen.