aitre st-maclou

This is a solemn and a daunting place. Not easy to find as the house blend into this row of medieval houses right behind the St.Maclou church. We missed it the first time, but went back on our return to Rouen and there it was, Once inside the courtyard one encounters solitude and the presence of death although no one has been buried there for centuries. The somber black and gray of the buildings and the macabre relief of sculls, bones and shovels on the beams give the place another-worldly atmosphere. Would not have liked to miss it. Look out for the iron sign of St.Maclou over the entrance right after you pass the church.

If the church is nice, I do not know because it was always closed. It seams a government department that opens between 10 to 12 and 14 to 18 instead of a church that should be always opened during the day.

I’m glad that our tour group visited this former ossuary, and that we had a guide who could tell us about it in great detail. Except for the exhibit of the mummified cat, whose manner of death (entombed alive) gave me a chill, I didn’t find anything disturbingly gruesome about this place. I guess that’s because I was so intently focused on learning its history. The skull and bones carvings are a key element of this place because of their stark symbolism. The carvings are not conspicuous – at least not in my opinion-- and to photograph them properly you may need to stand fairly close and zoom in.

This is an interesting stop on a walking tour of the city centre and its historic highlights. The wood carvings that surround the atrium are macabre to say the least and might give some people nightmares!

This is the place to go. An old parish graveyard that had to be adapted to efficient storage and accommodation of bodies over three centuries of at least two bad plague epidemics...the practical, artistic and spiritual sense of history is remarkable. One of the only remaining sites like this in Europe.

This -atrium- was one of the highlights of my visit to Rouen. It used to be a cemetery in the Middle Ages for the victims of the plague but now it houses a fine arts school. Its decoration is very unique and thought provoking. I found it very easily, it's just around the corner from the Saint Maclou church on Rue Martainville. There's even a sign outside the entrance so it's not difficult to miss. Don't leave Rouen without seeing it!

I was impressed by the place...even though one can pass without seeing it. The square court surrounded by old buildings ornated with sinister carvings transposed me in old times, when one's life was far more fragile than today...

A little hard to find tucked back an alley but it's free and the devilish carving are interesting and make for a nice photo. It's on Rick Steves walking tour.

There isn't that much to see at the Aitre St. Maclou - just an ancient courtyard with the surrounding buildings decorated with macabre reminders of the square being used at one time as a burial place for plague victims. Nevertheless, it makes an impression. The skulls carved out of wood are a memento mori, a reminder that only time stands between us and oblivion. And it is a very peaceful spot.

After the 1348 black death, it became necessary to enlarge the capacity of the cemeteries and the city opted for an ossuary. This was one of the first of this kind: above the ground rather than catacombs. The building are heavily decorated with carved wood (the city was rich during the middle age)Later on, the bones were removed and the buildings were used as a school. Today, there are projects to use them as an art gallery.You've probably visited dozens of cathedrals or abbeys. You'll be pleasantly surprise by one of the most unusual yet very interesting type of monument.

Short visit as part of the Rouen's walking tour - pick up a guide at the Tourist Information Office. Very interesting history and while a sad spot, well worth understanding how people dealt with the traumas of the plague.

Trying to explain to a schoolchild what the plague was and how cities in the Middle Ages dealt with the deceased? This is probably the place. Here you have the original space, truly old and creepy with skulls and different death-related carvings, where the city of Rouen disposed of their death by the hundreds or thousands. Kids will surely pay attention and listen in awe. A few meters from the back of the Cathedral, just behind the Church of Saint Maclou, if you pay real attention you may find the entrance to this inner courtyard.

This was once the site of decomposing bodies, rooms with bones, and now marks a mass grave from the time of the plague. The rooms around the courtyard are grimly decorated with carved wooden skulls, shovels, and skeleton and death motifs. It is difficult to find this site, so be prepared to ask people along the street for directions. It is an interesting place to visit and takes you back in time to think about all of the lives lost during that part of history. The site also reminds of the superstition which plagued the time period as you can see the mummified cat through a window, which was buried to ward off evil.

This is a bit hard to find, but that is part of the fun. It is in the old medieval center of Rouen, behind the St. Maclou church. It is really interesting to walk through the streets of old Rouen and finding this place is a bonus. It only takes a few minutes to walk around, though you could spend more time if you were inclined. It is worth a look and free, though the museum which was closed at the time we visited, may have charged a fee.

Odd plague ossuary is almost hidden. Don't miss it's beauty amid the carved skulls, bones, picks, shovels and grim history. Only here. Mummified cat from the 1300s in glass box fascinates kids.