The Saint-Pierre-and-Saint-Paul cathedral of Nantes under its current form was started in 1434, and will be completed only in 1891. These very important times of construction (457 years) did not remove anything with quality nor with the great coherence of style of this Cathédrale. It was built on the site of the preceding cathedral, of Romance style, which will be little by little absorbed by the Gothic building .
History
Its construction was initially led by Guillaume de Dammartin, architect of Jean de Berry, then by Mathurin Rodier, under the impulse of the duke of Brittany Jean V and of the bishop Jean de Malestroit. The medium of XVe century was indeed a period favourable with the launching of such projects, the Brittany having found a sufficient commercial prosperity thanks to an opportunist and skilful diplomatic policy which enabled him to remain relative with the variation European tearings of the time (in particular between the kingdoms of France and England). Moreover, establishment of a also imposing cathedral, and the implication that put at it the ducal capacity, took part in the legitimation of this capacity in a difficult context following the wars of succession of the duchy of Brittany. It will be noted besides that Nantes was not the only city to be profited from this political will of Jean V: let us quote for example the similar building site of the frontage of the cathedral of Quimper, initiated ten years earlier in 1424.
Structure
The frontage of the cathedral of Nantes is framed of two turns rather massive, at the top in terrace. It presents some remarkable characteristics, like the presence of an external pulpit designed to preach with the crowd assembled on the place, or the organization in five gates with the richly decorated Voussure S, three exchanges and two side. If this frontage does not have, as a whole, elegance nor the architectural nobility of other Gothic buildings of the same time, this weakness is largely compensated by the beauty of the interior of the building. The whiteness of the calcareous Micaceous chalk, still accentuated by recent work of restoration, imposing dimensions of the vessel (103m length, height of the great nave with 37,5m is 3 meters more than Notre Dame de Paris), the effect of power and grace of the immense pillars force admiration.
Remarkable elements
One can admire there the tomb and the lying ones of François II and Marguerite de Foix (parents of Anne of Brittany) carried out at the beginning of the 16th century by Michel Colombe and Jean Perréal. Regarded as a masterpiece of the French sculpture, it establishes a bond between the times (Moyen-âge towards the Renaissance) and the areas (the Italian style côtoie and is linked harmoniously with the French style).The cathedral also shelters the Cénotaphe general of Lamoricière, monument set up in 1878 in papal homage to the services rendered by this Nantes native.
The creation of modern stained glasses (500 m) was entrusted to Jean Moal (1978-1988).
Events
In year 843, in front of the assembly of faithful, Saint Gohard is assassinated by the Norman ones which invades and plunders the area with regular intervals.It is in front of the cathedral, places Saint-Pierre, that Nicolas Fouquet is stopped by D' Artagnan the September 5th 1661 on order of Louis XIV.
The January 28th 1972 takes place a gigantic fire of its roof. The firemen manage to control it, but the frame is largely destroyed, and of many other damage are to be regretted. This event led to the opening of a large building site of restoration. This building site undoubtedly constitutes the most complete interior restoration of cathedral in France.
Internal bonds
External bonds
- the cathedral of Nantes
- the cathedral of Nantes, tourist site of information
Photographs
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