ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL
Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Saint-Brieuc, featuring a restored axial chapel with colorful neo-Gothic decorations
Built from the 13th century on former marshes, the cathedral was partly built on stilts. The current monument is a mixture of styles: built over time and history, it was completed in the 18th century. Stage of the Tro Breizh, it is one of the rare fortified churches in Brittany, with its two defensive towers. The "great lady of stone", as the writer from Brioche Louis Guilloux called her, reflects the history of the town. Besieged and burnt down, the cathedral experienced many ups and downs during the 14th century, during the War of Succession which shook Brittany. Its restoration and extension were spread throughout the 15th century. The cathedral was again plundered during the religious wars of the League (1589-1598). Inside, don't miss the baptismal font (15th century), as well as the altarpiece of the Annunciation, in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, a masterpiece of baroque art by the Trégorrois sculptor Yves Corlay (18th century). The great Cavaillé-Coll organ, dating from 1848, is housed in a magnificent case dating from 1540. Since 2009, the cathedral has benefited from a major programme of work, which has restored its splendour. The stones have been cleaned to restore their whiteness and the cement joints have been replaced by traditional lime joints. The axial chapel has been restored as it was in the 19th century, with its very colourful neo-Gothic decorations: blue starred vaults alongside pillars repainted with flower or spiral motifs.