_Rue de Sotteville, suburb of Saint-Sever._
For a long time the municipal council had occupied themselves with the
idea of endowing the town with an establishment of this description, the
want of which was imperiously felt; numerous plans were presented and
discussed; at last, after a thorough examination, the town obtained, by
royal ordinance of the 18th august 1833, the authorisation to establish
a public and common slaughterhouse, with apparatus for melting the
tallow, scalding house and tripe house, on the fine property, which is
situated in the _rue de Sotteville_, at the corner of the _avenue de
Grammont_, bought for that purpose from Mr Burel.
A public competition was opened at the end of the year 1838 for the
plans of this establishment, and the prize was decreed, on the 20th
march 1834, to _Mr Etienne-Theodore Dommey_, an architect from Paris.
The first stone of this establishment was laid by Mr Hy Barbet, the
mayor of Rouen, on the 28th july 1835, in the presence of the civil and
military authorities and a large number of spectators.
This important establishment, which was built within the period of two
years, and which is now completed, is one of the finest of this
description. The expences, including the purchase of the ground,
amounted to the sum of 970,000 francs, and the annual product is
estimated about 80,000 francs.
The principal entrance is from the _rue de Sotteville_, a handsome
gateway between two gate houses gives a view of the whole building. The
total superficies of the buildings is of seven thousand three hundred
and thirty seven metres, or about the same number of yards.
Spacious streets and avenues planted with trees permit of a free access
to all parts of the establishment. It is well supplied with water, and
has a canal to carry off the dirty water of the establishment, which
allows its being kept very clean.
To visit the slaughterhouse, apply to the secretary general's office at
the town hall.