An oasis in a former Rouen cemetery, a serene and shady site for strolling or relaxing, with on-site galleries and restaurants.
This ancient cemetery was built in 1526 to bury victims of the plague. The bones have now been relocated, giving way to a beautiful space where you can stroll and admire the architecture of the galleries in this square courtyard. Observe the half-timbering embellished with reliefs of skulls, crossed tibias, and other gravediggers’ shovels. The highlight? A mummified cat! Today, the site is home to art galleries and a renowned restaurant. Serene and shady, the aître is well worth a visit and can be discovered with an audioguide or a guided tour.
Further information
Opening time and information on AÎTRE SAINT-MACLOU
Open all year round. Daily 9am to 7pm. Closed January 1, May 1 and December 25. Free admission. Audioguide: €5 adults and €3 children. Guided tour €7 and free for children under 12. Cheques not accepted. Guided tour (every Sunday at 3pm).
Message from Management
The Aître Saint-Maclou is a historic site to visit in Rouen. This former city cemetery, created in 1526, offers a pleasant setting for a stroll. You'll find galleries, enriched by a remarkable macabre décor, where the bones of the dead are placed. You're sure to be impressed by the architecture and the danse macabre depictions in the galleries. For even more discoveries, it's best to opt for a guided tour. You'll learn more about the history of this gallery cemetery, one of the last remaining in France, from its creation to the present day. Tours specially designed for children are also available. The courtyard of the cemetery can also be reserved for private visits or special events. Art galleries and a restaurant are also available on site. Worth a visit!
L'histoire de ce lieu exceptionnel remonte à la Grande Peste noire de 1348, qui tua les trois-quarts des habitants du quartier. C'est ainsi que l'on dû ouvrir un nouveau cimetière : le grand aître saint Maclou. Trois des galeries qui entourent le cimetière ont été construites entre 1526 et 1533 pour servir d'ossuaire. Leur décor est macabre : crânes, ossements, outils de fossoyeur, objets de culte dans les rites mortuaires.
Dans une vitrine, près de la porte d'entrée, on a placé un squelette de chat découvert dans un mur. Il s'agissait sans doute d'un chat noir (le diable) enfermé vivant dans la maçonnerie pour éloigner le mauvais sort.
Le site est classé monument historique.
Galerie des arts du feu
La Galerie des Arts du feu est un centre d’exposition et de démonstration dédié au travail de la terre, du verre et du métal. Au coeur de l’Aître Saint-Maclou somptueusement restauré, sur près de 500 m², La Galerie des Arts du feu bouscule les codes de la visite culturelle en vous invitant à vivre une expérience sensorielle unique en France.