Nantes Cathedral

It is the startling white facade of the Cathedral of Saint Pierre and the magnificent tomb of Duke Francois II of Brittany inside that merit special mention.


The whiteness and brilliance of the cathedral is due to the choice of stone. Builders used a porous limestone (calcium carbonate) of volcanic origin that is most often white or slightly yellow, containing tiny grains of mica. It is common in the Loire valley (chalky stone formed 100-65 million years ago). Its softness allowed architects to use elaborate decorations typical of the Renaissance style.

The original heart of the cathedral is the Romanesque crypt from the antique cathedral of the 10th c. The apse was added about 200 years later. Vestiges of the Romanesque church remain in a museum in Nantes; from these, and from 19th c engravings, it seems likely that this cathedral resembled the abbey church of Fontevrault. Over the next ten centuries, the church was practically reconstructed several times before it was finally finished and dedicated in 1891. Today a mix of gothic styles rises above the Romanesque ruins. Despite the fact that construction took so long, and despite all of the degradation it was subjected to over this time, the cathedral retains its beauty and harmony.

Construction was interrupted by circumstances and delayed by finances; most notably, the war over the succession of the duchy of Brittany 1341-1364 (part of Hundred Years War); a fire in the 15th century; the Revolution which turned the cathedral into a stable; the bombing on June 15, 1944; and another fire (caused by a careless carpenter who forgot to extinguish his blowtorch) that burned the wood roof and destroyed it. Finally, restorers were able to take advantage of the incident to restore the façade to its 15th c. appearance. This is the central portal of the façade, completed in 1481 when it was opened for high mass. Henri IV passed through it in 1598 when he came to Nantes to sign the Edict of Tolerance (Edict of Nantes).

The interior of the cathedral today appears immense. This grandeur is due to the purity of its lines reaching strait to the vaulted ceiling 123 feet above, to its double crossing of vaults, its galleries, and its large windows; all contributing to an ambiance of simplicity and austerity. Today, it is considered the most beautiful restored cathedral in France.

There are actually two crypts: one is the 11th c. crypt whose scattered pillars reveal its romanesque origins. Several objects remain: chalices, cups, and incense burners. The second is known as that of the bishop-counts of Nantes.

Nearly dwarfed by the immensity of the cathedral is the Tomb of François II (d. 1488) and Marguerite de Foix (d. 1486). It is considered a masterpiece of French sculpture, linking two periods in art, Medieval and Renaissance and two regions, Italian and French. The two statues lie side by side, resting on a black marble slab that is mounted on a platform. The lion at Francois’s feet is symbol of force or strength and the greyhound at Marguerite’s feet is a symbol of fidelity. Both show the arms of Brittany.

Around the platform are carved niches reserved for apostles, saints, personages, and mourners in pink marble recesses.At each corner of the platform there is a statue representing the virtues of a wise ruler. The four statues represent the cardinal virtues:
Prudence, Justice, Force, and Temperance, but bear symbols suggesting how a ruler may achieve them.



The tomb was ordered by Anne de Bretagne, the daughter of Francois and Marguerite de Foix, in 1501. In fact, this is also the tomb of the first wife of Francois II, Marguerite de Bretagne (d. 1469). The tomb is made of white Carrara and black Namur marble. The sculptor, Michel Colombe, was 75 when he started the work; he finished 5 years later.


http://nantescathedrale.free.fr/tombeau.htm