Musée Le Secq des Tournelles: A Showcase of Ironwork Art

The Musée Le Secq des Tournelles is a unique museum dedicated to the art of ironwork, located in the heart of Rouen, France. What makes this museum particularly special is its setting: a beautiful late-15th-century Gothic church called Saint-Laurent. The church itself was saved from ruin in 1893 and restored in 1911, providing a striking backdrop for the museum's collection. The museum was inaugurated in 1921. The collection began with Jean-Louis-Henri Le Secq Destournelles (1818–1882), a painter and one of France's earliest photographers. Tasked with photographing historical monuments, Le Secq discovered numerous ironwork pieces, leading him to start his collection around 1865. His son, Henri (1854–1925), continued to expand the collection, eventually donating it to the City of Rouen in 1917. The museum boasts over 16,000 pieces, offering a comprehensive overview of ironwork art. Visitors can admire a wide array of items, including : * Architectural elements: grilles, stair railings * Household items: keys, locks, chests * Tools and instruments * Personal adornments: jewelry The collection showcases the technical skill and artistic talent of ironworkers throughout history. The museum is one of eight free museums that comprise the Metropole Rouen Normandy.