Foundation of the College of Good Children 1358 (≈ 1358)
Establishment of an educational institution for poor children.
1944
Destruction of the synagogue
Destruction of the synagogue 1944 (≈ 1944)
Bombardments during World War II.
28 juin 1963
Classification of buildings
Classification of buildings 28 juin 1963 (≈ 1963)
Protection of facades and roofs by stop.
septembre 2020
Art project on potlets
Art project on potlets septembre 2020 (≈ 2020)
Customization by local artists.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Bernard Le Bouyer de Fontenelle - Man of letters and scientist
Born at number 100-102 on this street.
Origin and history
The Rue des Bons-Enfants is an iconic road in Rouen, located on the right bank of the city. With a length of approximately 380 metres, it extends from Cauchoise Street to Jeanne d'Arc Street, crossing several historic arteries. Its name comes from the school of the Good Children, founded in 1358 to educate the poor children of the city. This institution, which has now disappeared, marked the identity of the neighbourhood, combining its history with education and urban charity.
The street houses several buildings classified as historical monuments, including 20, 22-24, 27, 29, 31, 77, 87, 89, 91, 93, 97 and 112. Their protection, formalized by an order of 28 June 1963, mainly concerns facades and roofs. Among the remarkable buildings, the Synagogue of Rouen (No. 55), destroyed in 1944 during the Second World War, was rebuilt, symbolizing the resilience of the local Jewish community. In 2020, an artistic initiative personalized 163 street potlets, combining heritage and contemporary creation.
No. 100-102 is particularly notable as the home of Bernard Le Bouyer de Fontenelle (1657–1757), a literary man and scientist from Rouen. This place recalls the intellectual heritage of the city. The street, dynamic and rooted in history, also illustrates the urban transformations, between memory and modernity, as evidenced by its proximity to the tramway (station Palais de Justice - Gisèle Halimi).
