Aître Saint Maclou

Historic Building in Rouen

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Chabe01

The Aître Saint-Maclou in Rouen is a rare and evocative example of a medieval ossuary, originally established in the aftermath of the Black Death in 1348. As the plague decimated the population, the parish cemetery quickly became overwhelmed. To accommodate the increasing number of burials, three timber-framed galleries were constructed between 1526 and 1533 to house disinterred bones, allowing for new graves in the courtyard. These galleries, adorned with macabre carvings of skulls, bones, and tools of gravediggers, reflect the era’s preoccupation with mortality and the transience of life.

Architecturally, the Aître is notable for its half-timbered structures surrounding a central courtyard, a design uncommon for ossuaries. The wooden beams feature detailed carvings, including depictions of the danse macabre—a motif illustrating the universality of death. In the 17th century, the southern gallery was added to accommodate a school for poor boys, marking a shift from a purely funerary function to an educational one. This transformation continued over the centuries, with the site serving various roles, including a girls’ boarding school and, later, the Rouen School of Fine Arts until 2014.

Today, the Aître Saint-Maclou stands as a testament to Rouen’s layered history, blending its somber origins with contemporary cultural significance. Following extensive restorations completed in 2020, the site now hosts art exhibitions and cultural events, breathing new life into its historic walls. Visitors can explore the galleries, appreciate the intricate carvings, and reflect on the site’s evolution from a place of mourning to one of community and creativity.

The Aître Saint Maclou appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Rouen!

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