Aître Saint-Maclou - Fire Art Gallery

It is one of the last surviving gallery cemeteries in France, and its fantastic decorations are unique examples preserved in Europe. Listed as a Historic Monument in 1862, this exceptional site has retained all its magnetic, almost unreal atmosphere.

Its creation dates back to the Black Death epidemic that ravaged Europe in the XIVᵉ century. In the first half of the XVIᵉ century, it was redeveloped with the construction of three galleries above which the bones of corpses were piled. In the middle of the XVIIᵉ century, the south wing was built to house the clergy and, surprisingly for our contemporary eyes, the cemetery still in use housed a charity school for poor local children. It was then a boarding school for young girls that took over the site at the end of the XIXᵉ century, followed by the Rouen School of Fine Arts from 1940 to 2014.

The Dance of Death is one of the finest examples of sculpted dance in Europe. At the top of the stone columns supporting the attic floor, we can see figures dancing towards their deaths. This art developed in the XVᵉ century, at a time when death was wreaking havoc, enabled Christians to prepare to face God. Skulls, skeletons and gravediggers’ tools are also depicted on the wooden beams, giving this strange place all its uniqueness.

After more than two years of painstaking restoration, the Saint-Maclou Aître has been restored to its former glory. It is now a place of life and creation. The Fêtes macabres is a not-to-be-missed event in the autumn.

Audioguide: “The Aître Saint-Maclou, a jewel of Rouen”.
It’s a short step from a place of death to a place of life. Immerse yourself in the history of this former gallery cemetery, where life has reclaimed its rightful place, and let us guide you through this unusual monument of exceptional architecture.

The Galerie des Arts du Feu plunges you into the fascinating world of ceramics, glass and metal, where fire transforms the material into unique pieces: An interactive exhibition, “Ceramics, Precious Earth”, explores the origins of clay and its many uses, from everyday objects to scientific innovations.

Watch the craftsmen at work in their workshops and talk to them about their techniques and know-how. If you want to go further, take part in the introductory workshops: throwing, sculpting, modelling, silver chasing or glass cutting to create your own objects. There are courses for adults and children alike, as well as parent-child mini-courses.

The Gallery also houses a permanent exhibition room and a shop dedicated to Norman craftspeople, where you can admire and purchase original pieces throughout the year. It’s a sensory, artistic and human experience.