In France, 7th-century church to be converted into brewery and restaurant

The Church of Saint-Nicaise in Rouen, which is set to be converted into a brewery and restaurant. Photo: Tribune Chrétienne

In 2026, officials in the northern French city of Rouen approved a plan to transform the Church of Saint-Nicaise into a brewpub and restaurant, Tribune Chrétienne reports.

The church’s history stretches back to the 7th century. According to tradition, the first chapel on the site was founded by St. Ouen, Archbishop of Rouen, to house the relics of the holy martyr Nicasius. Over the centuries, the church played an important role in the life of the city, became a parish church in the 14th century, and survived both the Wars of Religion and later reconstructions.

The building acquired its present form after a fire in 1934. It was rebuilt by architects Pierre Chirol and Émile Gaillard using reinforced concrete. The church reopened for worship in 1940, but over time its condition deteriorated. Because of structural decay and lack of proper maintenance, it was closed to visitors in 2006, and in 2017 it was officially relegated from sacred use.

One of the church’s principal treasures was its great organ. It is now being dismantled for transfer to the Church of the Holy Spirit in Paris, where it is to be restored and installed anew.

The authorities say the decision to repurpose the building was driven by the high cost of maintaining and restoring it. The project envisions a brewery, a restaurant, and a museum space inside the former church – meaning the site will pass into commercial use.

The decision has drawn criticism, since the building carries centuries of history and deep religious significance. Other proposals had previously been considered, including social and cultural uses, but in the end a commercial model was chosen.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that vandals in France smashed up the altar of a Roman Catholic church with an axe.

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