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Origin and history

The Musée Le Secq des Tournelles is a museum specializing in ironwork, installed in the former Saint-Laurent church of Rouen, abandoned since the Revolution. Founded in 1920, it owes its existence to the legacy of Henri Le Secq des Tournelles (1854–1925), whose collection, initiated by his father in 1862, brings together unique pieces: locks, signs, hitches, jewellery and wrought iron tools. The church, classified as a historical monument in 1914, had previously housed the Norman Art Museum (1911–1920). Its official inauguration in 1921, in the presence of the Minister of Public Instruction, marks the consecration of this industrial and artistic heritage.

The St. Lawrence church, erected between the 15th and 16th centuries on the foundations of an 11th century chapel (1024), has had a turbulent history. Fired in 1248, rebuilt and damaged by storms (1638, 1683), it lost its arrow in 1810 after centuries of degradation. Disused in 1791 when her parish was abolished, she became a national good, serving in turn as a Jacobin club, hangar and stable. Saved in extremis in 1891 thanks to the intervention of the Commission des Monuments Historiques, it was bought by the city in 1893 and restored to host exhibitions, before its definitive transformation into a museum.

The museum's collection, with more than 15,000 pieces, is considered the largest in the world in its field. It covers objects ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, including architectural elements (grills, ramps), everyday objects (coffee moulds, tools), and artistic pieces such as jewellery or wrought iron signs. The iconic pieces include an 18th century "pliers-fly" lock and an iron locker by Ferdinand Marrou (XX century). The museum benefits from the label "Museum of France" and attracts enthusiasts of metal crafts and industrial history.

The ancient St. Lawrence church, classified since 1914, illustrates Norman religious architecture of the 15th–12th centuries. Its tower, built between 1490 and 1501, survived despite the collapse of its bell tower in 1520 and climatic hazards. His rescue in the 19th century, against a plan of destruction to build a building, bears witness to the heritage awareness of the time. Today, the building combines medieval heritage and museum vocation, offering a unique setting to showcase the art of ironwork.

The museum owes its name to the family Le Secq des Tournelles, of which Henri (1854–1925) bequeathed his collection to the city of Rouen. His father, Henri Le Secq, had begun to gather these objects in 1862, creating an exceptional fund. The transmission of this heritage, coupled with the rehabilitation of the church, allowed the creation of a place dedicated to a know-how often unknown. The museum thus contributes to the preservation of a historical craft, while valuing a converted religious building.

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