Un mystère intact
Take in the immersive atmosphere, as our tour guide shows you around this unique building within the archaeological crypt at the heart of Rouen’s historic old town.
Forty years after its discovery, and over nine centuries after it was built, the oldest Jewish building in France opens its doors to visitors. Will it finally offer up all its secrets?
An invaluable archaeological discovery
In August 1976, during work to restore the paving in the courtyard of Rouen’s Palais de Justice, a digger happened to pierce a hole in what turned out to be the vault of a Romanesque cellar. Intricate excavations began, in an attempt to uncover the mystery of the building, which was gradually revealed.
How old was it? What was its purpose? This building, which is now known as the Maison Sublime, has given rise to many theories and attracted the attention of the scientific community all around the world.
“May this house be sublime”
The Maison Sublime provides crucial archaeological evidence of medieval Jewish history.
After its discovery, excavations uncovered a series of remarkable engravings on the walls in the lower room. It is one of these engravings that has given the house its name: “Que cette maison soit sublime” [May this house be sublime] is a reference to the Book of 1 Kings 9:8.
Research into the engravings, however, has not yet revealed the purpose of the Maison Sublime. Was it a synagogue, a school for rabbis, or a private residence? No-one knows. But one thing is certain. The Maison Sublime is the oldest Jewish building in France.