Saint-Pierre Cathedral

Saint-Pierre cathedral, a thousand years of history

The Vannes audio-guided tour leads you to Saint-Pierre cathedral, a building that has come through the centuries borrowing from each era a little of its style. It is discovered with quiet respect, in the heart of the walled town.

From the Norman invasions to Gothic

In 919, the Norman invasions destroyed the first wooden church of Vannes. A new one was built in the early eleventh century thanks to two brothers, Bishop Judicaël and Geoffrey I of Brittany. On this Romanesque church, a new building was raised in the thirteenth century. The base of the bell-tower, to the left of the façade, is a remnant of that time, contrasting with the Gothic tower on the right. The cathedral has held the relics of Saint Vincent Ferrer since 1419.

What there is to see

The cathedral layers styles, from Romanesque to Gothic and later additions, making it an open-air book of architecture. Inside, take time to observe the chapels, the furnishings and the tomb of Saint Vincent Ferrer, with respect for the place of worship. The contrast between the two towers of the façade alone illustrates the long stages of its construction.

Practical information

Saint-Pierre cathedral is in the heart of the historic centre of Vannes. An active place of worship, it can be visited with respect for silence and services; opening times may vary with celebrations and the season. Entry is on the level.

What relics does the cathedral hold?

The cathedral has held the relics of Saint Vincent Ferrer since 1419, making it an important place of memory and pilgrimage in Vannes.

Why are the two towers different?

The left tower preserves the Romanesque base of the eleventh-century building, while the one on the right is Gothic. This contrast reflects the many building stages of the cathedral.