Basilique Saint-Sauveur de Rennes

Basilique Saint-Sauveur is a neoclassical church featuring a light-colored stone facade with large columns framing the entrance and statuary adorning the top. Inside, baroque furnishings including a canopy, pulpit, baptismal basins, and substantial organ pipes create a richly appointed interior space.

Construction began in 1768 under architects François Forestier de Villeneuve and François Huguet, replacing an earlier religious building on the same site. The project emerged in the aftermath of a major fire in 1720 that had devastated Rennes, part of the city's reconstruction efforts.

The name references the Savior in Christian tradition, reflecting the spiritual focus of the space. Inside, visitors encounter rich furnishings from past centuries that show how worship and prayer have been performed here over generations.

The building is open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM, making it accessible for morning and evening visits. Public transportation connects easily to the location, allowing visitors to arrive from different parts of the city without difficulty.

Inside hangs an ex-voto painting commemorating the great fire of 1720 that devastated the city. This artwork offers visitors an unexpected direct link to a defining moment in Rennes' past and shows how faith intertwined with the city's struggles.

Location: Rennes

Inception: 1768

Architects: François Forestier de Villeneuve, François Huguet

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Website: http://cathedralerennes.catholique.fr

GPS coordinates: 48.11180,-1.68177

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:19