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By entering the cathedral through the crypt (via Cours Saint-Pierre), discover the fascinating history of the tomb of François II, Michel Colombe’s early 16th century masterpiece, which was influenced by the Italian Renaissance.

After the five years it took to complete the tomb, it was moved around quite a bit before finding its home in the transept of the Cathédrale de Nantes – more than two hundred years after its completion. Anne de Bretagne commissioned Colombe to make the white Carrara marble tomb, which is covered in symbolic representations and would house the remains of her parents, François II and Marguerite de Foix, the last Duke of Brittany’s second wife. Given the scale and the height of the work, the average visitor cannot see the upper part of the tomb. Le Voyage à Nantes therefore had a light structure built to allow for a privileged point of view of the work and, for 2013, has added additional lighting.

Special thanks to the Diocese and Bâtiments de France.

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© Marc Domage

OPENING HOURS
Cathedral: accessible 7 days a week, from 8.30 AM to 7.00 PM during summer / 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM during winter.
From 1st July to 27th of August 2017, during Le Voyage à Nantes event: entrance free 7 days a week from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Access from outside through Le Jardin de la Psalette. Opened during les journées du Patrimoine (on 16th and 17th of September 2017): from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

DIRECTIONS
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul
Place Saint-Pierre
44000 Nantes
No access during services.

CONTACT
Tél. 02 40 47 84 64

Accessibility

Cathedral: Entrance on the same level through a proch in the south transept near the Square de La Psalette.
View point over the recumbents not accessible for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs/buggies.
The Cathedral crypts: Not accessible for wheelchair users. A helper is strongly advised for those with mobility issues.