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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Bourgtheroule hotel, located in Place de la Pucelle in Rouen, is a former mansion built mainly in the sixteenth century. It embodies the transition between the flamboyant Gothic and the First French Renaissance. Commanded at the end of the 15th century by William II the Roux, lord of Bourgtheroulde and member of the chessboard of Normandy, he was conceived as a dwelling worthy of his rank. His son, William III, Abbé d'Aumale, completed the work and enriched the Renaissance building, including the famous gallery of Aumale decorated with bas-reliefs representing the interview of the Gold Sheet camp between Francis I and Henry VIII of England.

The main façade, although redesigned over the centuries, retains emblematic elements such as Norman leopards and porcupine, a symbol of Louis XII. The partially preserved West wing features allegorical sculptures and flamboyant skylights, while the gallery of Aumale, a masterpiece of the wheely Renaissance, illustrates historical and poetic scenes. The hotel was severely damaged during the 1944 bombings, losing some of its interior and exterior decorations, including the bas-reliefs of the south turret.

After sheltering a bank until 2006, the hotel was restored and transformed into a luxury five-star hotel, opened in 2010. Ranked a historic monument since 1924 for its facades and roofs, it bears witness to the architectural opulence of the Norman Renaissance. Its history also reflects the vicissitudes of time, between fires (like that of 1770), reconstructions and adaptations to modern usages, while remaining a symbol of the Rouen heritage.

The Place de la Pucelle, where the hotel stands, is named after a historical scorn: it was long believed that Jeanne d'Arc had been burned there. The building, with its turrets, arches and carved medallions, embodies the alliance of medieval and Italian influences. The missing sets, like those of Eustache-Hyacinthe Langlois, recall the artistic richness of the past, while the successive restorations (notably in 1893 by Jean-Baptiste Foucher) attempted to restore his original fascist.

Among the remarkable elements, the salamander of François I and the Phoenix of Eleonore of Habsburg adorn the West wing, while the Petrarch Triomphes inspire the bas-reliefs of the gallery. The north wing, rebuilt after a fire in 1770, and the east wing, with its Gothic gate, complete this architectural ensemble. The hotel welcomed personalities like Cardinal Alexandre de Medici in 1596, highlighting his prestige throughout the centuries.

Today, the Bourgtheroule hotel combines historical heritage and modernity, offering visitors a glimpse of the Norman Renaissance. Its classification and restoration make it a must-see monument of Rouen, mixing the memory of Le Roux, a noble family sponsor, and contemporary adaptations to perpetuate its influence.

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