Cath茅drale Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul (Nantes Cathedral), Nantes (must see)
The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul of Nantes, commonly known as Nantes Cathedral, is a monumental Gothic structure that stands as a symbol of the city鈥檚 historical and spiritual heritage. Its construction began in 1434 with the laying of the first stone, a moment commemorated by a quatrain engraved on the back of the doors. One of the longest-running religious construction projects in France, the cathedral wasn鈥檛 fully completed until 1893. Its striking white-stone fa莽ade, rare for western France where granite is more common, is flanked by two imposing towers and features five richly adorned portals.
Inside, the cathedral reveals soaring vaults that reach 37.5 meters鈥攈igher even than those of Notre-Dame de Paris. It houses several major works of art, including the tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany, and his wife Marguerite de Foix, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created in 1507 by Michel Colombe at the request of their daughter, Anne of Brittany. Another notable monument is the cenotaph of General de Lamorici猫re, a papal tribute erected in 1878. The cathedral鈥檚 two crypts鈥攐ne Romanesque from the 11th century and a larger 19th-century addition鈥攄isplay liturgical treasures and a permanent exhibit on the building鈥檚 history.
The cathedral has endured significant trials over the centuries, particularly devastating fires in 1972 and 2020. The 2020 blaze destroyed the great organ, the 15th-century stained-glass window, and much of the choir stalls鈥攅lements that had survived the earlier fire. Although currently closed for major restoration, visitors can explore an outdoor exhibition on the forecourt that documents the reconstruction and ongoing conservation work.
Inside, the cathedral reveals soaring vaults that reach 37.5 meters鈥攈igher even than those of Notre-Dame de Paris. It houses several major works of art, including the tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany, and his wife Marguerite de Foix, a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created in 1507 by Michel Colombe at the request of their daughter, Anne of Brittany. Another notable monument is the cenotaph of General de Lamorici猫re, a papal tribute erected in 1878. The cathedral鈥檚 two crypts鈥攐ne Romanesque from the 11th century and a larger 19th-century addition鈥攄isplay liturgical treasures and a permanent exhibit on the building鈥檚 history.
The cathedral has endured significant trials over the centuries, particularly devastating fires in 1972 and 2020. The 2020 blaze destroyed the great organ, the 15th-century stained-glass window, and much of the choir stalls鈥攅lements that had survived the earlier fire. Although currently closed for major restoration, visitors can explore an outdoor exhibition on the forecourt that documents the reconstruction and ongoing conservation work.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Nantes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Cath茅drale Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul (Nantes Cathedral) on Map
Sight Name: Cath茅drale Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul (Nantes Cathedral)
Sight Location: Nantes, France (See walking tours in Nantes)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nantes, France (See walking tours in Nantes)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nantes, France
Create Your Own Walk in Nantes
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nantes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Nantes Introduction Walking Tour
Dubbed 鈥淭he Sleeping Beauty of France,鈥� Nantes is a city that found rebirth through culture and creativity. Straddling the Loire River in western France, its history stretches across two millennia. The city's name comes from the Namnetes, a Celtic tribe that made their home here before the Romans arrived. The latter incorporated the settlement into their empire in the 1st century BC,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles