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On the northern end of the Rue aux Juifs, the “Street of Jews”, sits Rouen’s Palais de Justice. During a routine renovation in the 1980’s the imposing Gothic structure of the Palais was discovered to be situated atop an ancient stone structure that is believed to be a Yeshiva that dates back to the 12th century. The courtyard of the Palais de Justice has been left open to allow visitors to explore this underground structure, believed to be a place of study for acclaimed scholars such as Rashbam and Abraham ibn Ezra, who wrote extensive commentaries on the Torah. Inscribed in Hebrew on the walls are the words “May the Torah reign forever” and “This House is Supreme.” The site is thought to be not only the oldest Jewish building in Europe, but also one of the oldest rabbinical schools in the world.