Want to be surprised? Come and visit the Musée de la ferronnerie in Rouen (ironwork), which hides many curious treasures!
Housed in a former Gothic church, the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles is home to the world’s largest collection of antique ironwork. Between signs, tools and scientific instruments, we discovered unique iron objects!
In this article, we give you all our tips for discovering this atypical museum.
This review is completely independent, we visited anonymously and paid our entrance fee in full.
Why visit the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles in Rouen?
Is the Musée Le Secq worth it? Our opinion
Of course, and we can even promise you that you won’t be disappointed! We highly recommend a visit to the museum during your stay in Rouen, as it’s full of surprises.
- A unique location: the museum is housed in a former Gothic church in the heart of Rouen. Saint-Laurent church is a listed historic monument. The exterior is magnificent, but the interior is even more spectacular. Ironwork blends with Gothic architecture. We really felt a special atmosphere in this building. What do you think of the nave?
- A beautiful collection: we can assure you that you won’t see art like this anywhere else! The collection spans the Gallo-Roman era to the 20th century. It features pieces from all over Europe. It was Jean-Louis-Henri Le Secq des Tournelles who came up with the idea, realizing the great potential of iron. Thanks to him, the museum is home to an impressive number of unique objects.
- Amazing objects: Did you know that iron is an incredible material? We had no idea how much! With its locksmithing, cutlery and extravagant decorations, the museum really surprised and amused us. The metalwork on these pieces is breathtaking. The details are extremely fine. You’ll find yourself contemplating simple keys for minutes on end! But are they really that simple?
Why is the Musée de la ferronnerie in Rouen famous?
The Musée Le Secq des Tournelles is renowned for its unique collection. In fact, it promotes the art of iron. During your visit to the museum, you’ll discover unusual objects made from this amazing material. Don’t hesitate to visit their official website to learn more about the history of certain pieces!
What’s more, the museum is housed in a charming former Gothic church. The building is listed as a historic monument. We really liked the atmosphere of the place. The outside of the building is magnificent, but the inside is spectacular. The play of light, the ironwork and the dark walls of the church create a very special atmosphere.
Finally, we felt that the museum was the work of a passionate man. Henri Le Secq des Tournelles was first and foremost a pioneer of photography. It is possible that his interest in iron is closely linked to this. Throughout his life, he collected masterpieces of metalwork.
Our favorite moments
The museum’s original collection won us over. We really enjoyed learning about ironwork, even though we had no previous knowledge of the subject. Indeed, we enjoyed exploring the art of iron. It’s an art form that’s rarely represented.
The museum never ceased to surprise us from start to finish! Here’s a short list of our favorites:
- the incredible view of the nave: this vast space is a clever blend of Gothic architecture and unique ironwork.
- the magic staircase: Magnificently crafted, this huge iron structure is incredibly beautiful. It blends in perfectly with the decor of the former Gothic church. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to lean on it, as it seems to float in the air.
- unlikely iron parts: have you ever seen miniature pistols or travel coffee grinders? This unique museum is full of surprises you won’t soon forget!
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Practical tips: Musée de la Ferronnerie, Rouen, France
Where can you find the Musée de la ferronnerie in Rouen?
The museum is located at 2 Rue Jacques Villon in Rouen (76000), Normandy.
- Driving time from Le Havre: 1h15min.
- Driving time from Deauville: 1h10min.
- Driving time from Caen: 1h30min.
- Time from Cabourg: 1h15min.
- Driving time from Mont-Saint-Michel: 2h45min.
- Driving time from Ouistreham: 1h35min.
How to get there
We recommend you travel to Rouen by train. The train station offers regular services to Le Havre, Dieppe, Yvetôt, Elbeuf, Caen and Paris. Once you’ve arrived at Rouen station, it’s a 7-minute walk to the museum.
See available timetables and book your train and coach tickets now.
You can also drive to Rouen, and park in a parking lot close to the museum. The town is within easy reach of other Normandy towns such as Le Havre, Caen and Deauville. From Paris, the journey takes 2 hours. There are regular traffic jams at the Seine crossing.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
You can also take public transport:
- By metro (Palais de Justice stop)
- By TEOR 4 (Gare – Rue Verte stop)
- Fast line F2, F7 (Beaux-Arts stop)
- By bus 11, 15, 22 (Beaux-Arts stop)
Parking
The museum has no dedicated parking lot.
On the other hand, it’s very easy to find parking nearby. These include Q-Park at 12 Rue du Bailliage. It’s just a 3-minute walk to the museum. Alternatively, users also recommend Parking de l’Hôtel de Ville, a 5-minute walk from the museum.
Schedules and rates
Schedules:
The museum is open daily from 2pm to 6pm, except Tuesdays.
Closed on January 1, May 1, November 1 and 11 and December 25.
Rates:
The museum is free, as are all the museums of the Réunion des Musées Métropolitains Rouen Normandie.
Best time to visit the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles
The museum is always busy between 2pm and 5pm. Its free access and location explain why it is so popular. However, to avoid the crowds, we recommend that you get there at the opening.
Visit duration and practical information
In our opinion, it takes 45 minutes to visit the museum. If you’re particularly interested in ironwork, the tour can last up to 1h30. The museum boasts a rich collection of surprising works.
For people with reduced mobility, the museum has several staircases, but no elevator. We recommend that you avoid strollers and use baby carriers with small children. The first floor of the church is paved, and the space is vast and airy. You can move around quite freely. The museum also has disabled access on rue Deshays.
Located close to the ironworks museum, we also recommend a visit to the Rouen Fine Arts Museum (2min away), or the Joan of Arc Museum (7min away).
Tips for visiting
The museum has no real sense of place. Housed in a church, it has just one large space on the first floor, plus a small converted first floor. However, we recommend that you begin your visit by walking along the left wall of the nave. In the 2nd stage, you can explore the right-hand side of the church. The tour then continues upstairs, from where you’ll have a magnificent overview of the building’s interior.
The ironworks museum with children
The museum occasionally organizes workshops for children. For more information, please visit their official website. We also recommend a family visit. Young and old alike will have fun identifying the function of the various objects on display. You’ll have an enjoyable and educational time.
Nearby restaurants
The museum has no restaurant.
And yet, Rouen has an excellent restaurant offering. There’s something for every taste and budget. Here’s our small selection specially designed for you:
- Restaurant L’Odas – excellent Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking Rouen Cathedral. We have devoted an article to this magnificent building.
- Restaurant Le Jehanne at the Blu Radisson Hotel – quality cuisine in a relaxed chic setting.
- Restaura nt L’Épicurius – bistronomic cuisine in a warm atmosphere.
- Café Pâtisserie EMJI – A delicious sweet break in the heart of Rouen.
WHERE TO STAY IN Rouen
Option 1: in the old town center
A charming historic heart, museums and attractions around every corner… We recommend..:
- Gustave Flaubert Literary Hotel with lots of quotes – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hôtel de Bourghteroulde set in a 16th-century residence – see prices, photos and availability.
Option 2: near the station
Just a 10-minute walk from the historic center, you’ll find more modern options. We recommend..:
- Blu Radisson Hotel next to the Jeanne d’Arc Tower – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel de Dieppe Best Western and its Art-deco ambience – see prices, photos and availability
A former Gothic church turned museum
History of the site
Located in the heart of Rouen’s historic center, the museum is housed in the Saint-Laurent church. We found the outside of the building magnificent, but the inside is even more impressive! Built in the 15th century, the Gothic church gradually fell into disrepair in the 18th century. But the city of Rouen bought it in 1893.
A few years later, the renovated church hosted the “Un millénaire d’art Normand” exhibition. It was a 2nd life for the cathedral, which became the Musée d’Art Normand in 1911. Under the direction of Henri Paulme, the museum had a short life. In 1921, it was replaced by the Musée de la ferronnerie. In the meantime, the church was listed as a historic monument in 1914. During our visit, we sensed that the building had a rich history.
The founder Henri Le Secq des Tournelles
Who was Jean-Louis Le Secq des Tournelles and how did he build his collection? Founder of the Musée de la ferronnerie in Rouen, he’s not just known for that. Did you know?
Before becoming a great collector, he was one of the pioneers of photography. Backed by his friend Gustave Legray, he founded the Société héliographique in 1851. The aim of this group of learned individuals was to accelerate the development of photography.
As a photographer of historic monuments, Henri Le Secq appreciated the play of light and contrast. His interest in antique objects and ironwork grew with his photographic campaigns. Driven by a true passion for the art of iron, he nurtured his collection of wrought iron throughout his life. Has he succeeded in passing on his passion to you?
The history of the collection
Inaugurated in 1921, the museum boasts the world’s largest collection of ironwork. We owe a debt of gratitude to Henri Le Secq, who saw the hidden potential in this material. As you will discover during your visit, the collection is immense. It includes up to 15,000 pieces dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Comprising objects from all over Europe and even the Orient, the museum is extremely diverse. It mixes masterpieces with more popular objects. In fact, we were pleasantly surprised! To give you an idea of the main themes represented, we’ve put together a selection for you:
- Signs and property brands,
- Cutlery,
- Tools of the trade,
- Ornaments,
- Church and home furnishings: locks, chests and other curiosities.
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A collection of ironwork unique in the world
When we entered the church, we were immediately struck by the signs hanging on the walls. Signs are marks of ownership displayed on the outside of buildings to attract the attention of passers-by. Suspended on either side of the building, we observed all shapes and sizes. In our photo below, you can see the diversity of our creations.
Signs, locksmithing and exceptional gates
All the iron pieces on display in the museum have their own identity. On several occasions, we found ourselves analyzing in detail the works of the ironworkers on display. In fact, it made us realize that this job is both manual and artistic. Did it inspire you to become an ironmonger?
During our visit, we saw many door locks and their keys. However, these were not just any door locks, but works of art in their own right. We were amazed by the finesse of the details. Working with iron requires a great deal of attention to detail. We realized just how difficult this job is when we saw these unique locks and keys.
Throughout our visit, we were pleasantly surprised by the treasures hidden in the museum. We discovered an area dedicated to iron railings. Their function is to link interior and exterior, and to embellish buildings. We were completely won over by the large iron structure you can see in the photo below. It seems to float in the air, taking us to another world.
DISCOVER Rouen
- Best things to do in Rouen: 15 ideas
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- Where to stay in Rouen: our best hotels
- Where to eat in Rouen: 20 best restaurants
- Rouen’s 10 best museums
- Itineraries in Rouen: 1 day – 2 days
- Rouen Museum of Fine Arts
- Rouen Cathedral
- Rent a car in Rouen
Everyday objects out of the ordinary
The museum houses many everyday objects that you won’t be able to see anywhere else. For example, we discovered the travel coffee grinder. Practical and functional, you can take it anywhere! Once again, we were blown away by the elegance of the ornamentation. On the mill in the foreground, you can make out a hunting scene.
Is ironing a chore for you too? Yet we found the exposed irons incredible. Of course, we still don’t want to do it. But we’ve had a lot of fun looking at these 18th-century works!
In another part of the museum, we contemplated objects linked to adornment and beauty. We saw mirrors, jewelry, watches, combs, chests and other unique iron pieces. We’d love to have such beautiful mirrors in our home!
Special tools
During our visit, we learned about another family of objects: tools. But once again, not just any kind! Do you know what the object in the photo below is? Without the explanatory sign, we wouldn’t have understood what it was all about. An affiquet was a knitting accessory that could be attached to a belt. This one particularly appealed to us because of its fish-like shape.
Later, we discovered a more mysterious category of tools. Do you have any idea what these objects are used for? The scientific and anatomical connoisseurs among you may have found the answer. If you look at the 18th-century engraving below, you’ll have the solution.
The name of this medical instrument is rather obscure. This is an iron crankshaft bit. We learned that surgeons used it to attack bone during operations. Of course, these procedures were not performed under anesthesia at the time. We didn’t dare imagine the pain their patients were in. This tool made our blood run cold!
To conclude on a slightly happier note, we wanted to show you these miniature pistols. They come from Germany and date back to the 16th century. They’re real works of art, and stunning to say the least! From start to finish, we were amazed by the museum’s collection. We loved our experience at the Musée de la ferronnerie in Rouen. In our opinion, a real must-see!
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
All our tips in this article were put into words with the help of Elisa.
