No matter what old quarters and winding streets curious travelers visit in the French city of Rouen, they are unlikely to pass by the Church of Saint-Maclou – one of the main attractions of the city and one of the best examples of the Flamboyant style in the whole country.

Along with the Parlament of Normandie (Palais de Justice), Saint-Ouen Abbey, and Rouen Cathedral, the Church of Saint-Maclou forms a famous architectural ensemble in the Gothic style, the thin high spires of which are visible from any part of the city.

The construction of this unique monument of French temple architecture began in the middle of the 15th century. At that time, Europe was still experiencing outbreaks of the deadliest pandemic in the history of mankind, the Black Death. That was reflected in the gloomy interior of the Church of Saint-Maclou. Outside, the church building was richly decorated with stone statues and sculptures. Unfortunately, most of them were destroyed by constant religious wars and the Revolution of 1789. But there are also some architectural monuments that still have their original form. For example, massive carved entrance doors, a luxurious Renaissance organ, or some chapels that still have wooden furniture of the 18th century.

The construction of the Roman Catholic church, designed by the French architect Pierre Robin, lasted for almost a hundred years. A tower appeared much later, after 350 years. Thanks to the recent restoration, today the Church of Saint-Maclou looks light and airy, and the former gloomy black facades and scenes of deadly dancing that adorn the interior impress talented craftsmen.

Pay special attention to the sculptural composition on the tympanum with a statue of Jesus Christ on the Day of Judgment. And only the tombstones with human skulls and bones in the ancient cemetery of the Church of Saint-Maclou still make your blood freeze, reminding of the time of the spread of the Black Death.