Saint Peter and Saint Paul Cathedral

The Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral of Nantes

The Nantes audio-guided tour invites you to quiet contemplation on Place Saint-Pierre, facing the Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral. Of a size comparable to Notre-Dame de Paris, this jewel of Gothic art was, too, tested by a major fire in 2020.

A construction of more than four centuries

The cathedral, seat of the Bishop of Nantes, was built over a very long period, from 1434 to 1891, that is more than four and a half centuries of work. According to popular legend, a certain Saint Clair is said to have come from Rome in the third century, carrying a nail from the cross of the martyr Saint Peter, and to have had a chapel built to house this relic. He is said to have chosen the present site, once occupied by an ancient temple. From this long history was born one of the finest examples of flamboyant Gothic in France.

What there is to see

The building impresses with its Gothic façade, its nave of great height and its luminous white stone. Inside, a place of contemplation and faith, you discover in particular the tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany, a masterpiece of funerary sculpture. Marked by the 2020 fire, the cathedral remains a major symbol of Nantes, to be visited with respect and in silence.

Practical information

The Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral stands on Place Saint-Pierre, in the heart of the historic district of Nantes. An active place of worship, it is visited with respect for the contemplation of the faithful; access is generally free during opening hours, liable to vary because of works and services.

How long did the construction take?

The cathedral was built from 1434 to 1891, that is more than four and a half centuries of successive work.

What can you see inside?

In particular the tomb of Francis II, Duke of Brittany, a masterpiece of funerary sculpture, in a Gothic nave of great height.