Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Saint-Nicaise church of Rouen, founded in 640 by Saint Ouen, Archbishop of Rouen, was originally a chapel outside the city walls, sheltering the relics of Saint Nicaise. It became a parish church in 1388, under the authority of the Abbé de Saint-Ouen. A new choir was built between 1538 and 1561, but the church was looted by Calvinists in 1560. It was renowned for its organ, built in 1634 by Crépin Carlier and restored in 1927-1928.

In 1934, a fire partially destroyed the building. The city of Rouen organized a contest for its reconstruction, won by architects Pierre Chirol and Émile Gaillard. Their project, made of reinforced concrete between 1934 and 1937, incorporated the remaining Gothic elements. The modern stained glass windows were designed by Max Ingrand, and the church was restored to worship in 1940. However, the degradation of reinforced concrete and water infiltration led to its closure to the public in 2006.

Desacralized in 2017, the church was occupied in 2016 by activists from Nuit Rève, who demanded a consultation of the inhabitants on its future. Since 2019, a brewery conversion project, including a museum and a restaurant, has been selected. The building, classified as a Historic Monument in 2022, retains protected elements such as its high altar, stained glass windows and organs, some of which have been transferred or restored.

Future

The concrete used for reconstruction has deteriorated considerably and the church is now closed to the public.

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