Maison Sublime

The Maison Sublime remained hidden underground for over 450 years before its accidental discovery on August 13, 1976. Construction workers were simply repaving the courtyard of the Palais de Justice when they broke through into this remarkably preserved medieval structure that had been deliberately buried when the Parliament of Normandy was expanded in the late 15th century.

The building's walls are an impressive 4 meters thick at their base, constructed from local Caumont limestone. This massive construction required thousands of stone blocks and represents a significant investment by Rouen's medieval Jewish community, suggesting the building held great importance - though whether as a yeshivah (rabbinical school), synagogue, or wealthy merchant's home remains one of archaeology's unsolved mysteries.

The name 'Maison Sublime' comes from a Hebrew graffiti inscription discovered on the walls, quoting the Book of Kings: 'May this house be sublime!' This phrase was traditionally used to bless important buildings and confirms the structure's deep connection to Rouen's Jewish community, which was one of the most significant in medieval France until their expulsion by King Philippe le Bel in 1306.

Professor Norman Golb's research revealed that medieval Rouen hosted an extremely renowned rabbinical academy (yeshivah) that attracted scholars from across Europe. The Jewish community played a vital role in the city's economic and intellectual development, making the Maison Sublime a rare surviving witness to this often-forgotten chapter of French history.