Basilique Saint-Sauveur
ChurchHidden Treasure
Basilique Saint-Sauveur, located in Rennes (Département 35), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Church
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Rennes, Département 35, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.1118, -1.6818
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090673
The Baroque jewel of the old town of Rennes, the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur boasts an Italianate façade of rare elegance and a history closely linked to the great fire of 1720 that reshaped the town.
History
In the heart of the old town of Rennes, just a stone's throw from Place des Lices and its bustling markets, the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur stands out as one of the most accomplished expressions of Baroque religious architecture in Brittany. Its Italianate façade, characterised by fluted pilasters, elaborate pediments and a subtle superimposition of architectural orders, contrasts with the usual sobriety of Breton buildings, offering an unexpected, almost Mediterranean face in the heart of Rennes' granite. What makes the basilica truly unique is the tormented history of its construction, punctuated by interruptions, tragedies and tenacious revivals. Born out of a desire to rebuild a dilapidated place of worship in the early eighteenth century, it survived one of the most devastating events in the history of Rennes - the fire of December 1720, which ravaged more than a third of the city - before finally being completed in 1764, after more than sixty years of work. The interior of the building is an invitation to quiet contemplation. The generous volumes of the choir and transept, the light filtering through the skylights, the carved woodwork and finely crafted side altars create a setting that is both solemn and warm. Popular devotion is still very much alive here, particularly around the representations of the Virgin Mary, which the people of Rennes have been particularly attached to for centuries. Visitors will appreciate taking the time to look at the façade from the rue Saint-Sauveur to get the full picture, before entering the church to let their eyes become accustomed to the soft golden half-light of the nave. The basilica is just a stone's throw from the Parliament of Brittany and the medieval quarter, making it a natural stop-off on any tour of Rennes' heritage.
Architecture
The Basilica of Saint-Sauveur belongs to the French Classical Baroque movement, with a particularly marked Italian influence in the treatment of its western façade. The façade, designed by the architect Forestier around 1755, consists of two superimposed levels punctuated by pilasters with Corinthian capitals, linked by scrolls characteristic of Roman Baroque. Triangular and arched pediments alternate above the openings, creating a highly sophisticated interplay of vertical and horizontal rhythms. In this way, the façade stands out clearly from the architectural traditions of Brittany, and is a notable landmark in the regional landscape. The layout of the church follows the classic Latin cross pattern, with a central nave flanked by side aisles, a projecting transept and a choir with a flat chevet. The masonry uses limestone and tufa for the sculpted elements, contrasting with the granite of the load-bearing structures, a common practice in 18th-century architecture in Rennes. The long-sloped, slate-covered roof is fully in keeping with Breton building traditions. Inside, the space is dominated by the golden light that bathes the nave, highlighting the quality of the woodwork on the side altars and the choir stalls. The engaged pillars supporting the arches, the stuccoed vaults and the painted pictures framed in carved wood all contribute to a temperate Baroque atmosphere, elegant without ostentation. The liturgical furnishings, some of which have been preserved since the 18th century, give the whole a remarkable stylistic coherence.
Related Figures
Architecte Huguet — maître d'œuvre de la reconstruction à partir de 1703, décédé en 1730Architecte Forestier — successeur d'Huguet, auteur de la façade à l'italienne vers 1755Jacques Gabriel père — architecte de la reconstruction de Rennes après l'incendie de 1720, figure du contexte urbain de l'édificeRobert de Cotte — premier architecte du roi consulté pour la reconstruction de Rennes, dont le contexte architectural influence Saint-Sauveur
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Basilique Saint-Sauveur located?
Basilique Saint-Sauveur is located in Rennes, Département 35 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Basilique Saint-Sauveur built?
Basilique Saint-Sauveur dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Basilique Saint-Sauveur open to visitors?
Basilique Saint-Sauveur is currently closed to visitors.