Catholic religious building dating from the 15th century, emblematic of the city of Nantes.
There is a stanza engraved on the back of the doors that tells us of when the first stones were laid in 1434, and with it one of the longest religious constructions in France was underway, building that wouldn’t be completed until 1893. Repair and restoration work was first undertaken after the 1972 fire and only finished once the cathedral had been returned to its original splendor. Behind the white-stone (and not in the more usual granite) of a double tower front, the nave rises to a full 37.5m – higher than at Notre-Dame in Paris.
Fire summer 2020
The fire of July 2020 caused a lot of damage, in particular the loss of the great organ, the stalls and the 15th century glass roof, both of which were preserved during the great fire of 1972. The building is temporarily closed until major renovation work can restore its splendour. An exhibition on the forecourt shows the work in progress.
The Tomb of François II and Marguerite de Foix
In the righthand transept lies the masterpiece of the sanctuary, the tomb of François II and Marguerite de Foix, parents of Anne of Brittany.
Ordered by Anne of Brittany This Renaissance masterpiece was made by Michel Colombe in 1507. In 2012, Le Voyage à Nantes set up a light structure to elevate the visitor’s gaze and took advantage of 2013 to provide the work with new lighting.
The tomb is currently undergoing restoration until 2027.
The statues are on display in a chapel in the choir.
The crypts
The 11th century roman crypt actually hides the real treasure of the cathedral in the shape of a bigger second crypt dating back to the 19th century and today housing a permanent exhibition on the history of the cathedral.
The crypts are closed due to ongoing renovation work.
Le Voyage à Nantes 2026
Anne-Charlotte Finel, Vaisseaux (Title TBD)
It is in the crypts of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral, which have been opened to the public for this special occasion, that Anne-Charlotte Finel is presenting her project for Voyage à Nantes 2026.
Further information
Place Saint-Pierre 44000 Nantes
How to get there?
Parking(s) nearby: Parking Cathédrale, Parking Decré-Bouffay, Parking Gare Château, Parking Baco-LU 1 côté gare
Public transport: Foch - Cathédrale, St-Pierre, Foch-Cathédrale, Duchesse Anne - Château
Self-service bicycles: Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Foch (n°32), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Verdun (n°48), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Strasbourg (n°3), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Hôtel de ville (n°2), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service (n°1012), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Duchesse anne (n°49), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Château (n°50), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Moulin (n°4), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Préfecture (n°1), Station Naolib Vélo libre-service Lieu unique (n°61)
Free access every day, including Sundays, from 9 am to 7 pm
From June 29 until August 31 2026: free access from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm – closed on Mondays
Daily Mass is at 18.00, and on Sundays, celebrations at 10.00 and 19.00
Accompaniment is recommended for people who have difficulty walking. Difficult path, paved area and uneven ground.