Saint-Maclou Church

Set against a backdrop of half-timbered houses, the Saint-Maclou church stands out with its unmistakable elegance and character. The church was built between 1436 and 1517 on the marshlands of the Robec, an old stream in the Antiquaires district. It’s a fine example of the Flamboyant Gothic style, which was very much in vogue back then. The structure itself is along traditional and simple lines, yet the intricate stonework of its main façade is truly a feast for the eyes. You can make out a curved, five-bay porch gracefully framing the front half of the building. Talk about unique! Then there’s the lantern tower, a true hallmark of Normandy. Dating from the 19th century, its 83-metre spire now serves as a bell tower. Time to go in through one of the Renaissance-era carved wooden doors. The central one is the widest, depicting the Last Judgment and the Resurrection of the dead. The church’s interior is far more simplistic than the exterior would have us believe, and it’s all bathed in light – a symbol of the divine. Beneath the two-level vaulted ceiling, so often seen in Normandy, you’ll find a stunning Renaissance organ case, an elegant spiral staircase, and a number of stained-glass windows mostly dating from the 15th century. There’s also a rood beam depicting Christ on the Cross, installed here in 1758. You see, although seemingly plain, the interior is rich in treasures. The church was severely damaged during the Wars of Religion and then again during World War II, and has recently undergone extensive restoration work. It’s sure to have a bright future as one of Rouen’s most historic monuments.