Saint-Vincent Cathedral

You’re now standing in front of Saint Vincent Cathedral, first built in the 12th century. Before that, the local cathedral was the ancient Saint John’s Cathedral in the city of Aleth. But because the rocky islet of Saint-Malo seemed far easier to defend and almost impossible to capture, Jean de Châtillon—often considered the city’s second founding saint—decided to move his bishopric here and build a new cathedral right in the heart of Saint-Malo. That decision changed everything. By transferring the episcopal seat from Aleth to Saint-Malo, he completely reshaped the city’s future, bringing with it convents, markets, and craftsmen. The 12th-century cathedral itself was built on the foundations of an even older site dating back to the 7th century. Of the Romanesque building, only a few parts remain, including the nave. What you see today is the result of centuries of construction, expansion, and post-Second World War restoration. Step inside and you’ll find a magnificent rose window designed in the 60s to restore the cathedral’s appearance before the English bombardment of 1695. You’ll also see a mosaic marking the spot where the explorer Jacques Cartier is said to have knelt before setting off for Canada. The Bishopric of Saint-Malo no longer exists, but the cathedral has become one of the city’s great treasures and has been listed as a historic monument since 1910.