Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine, Abbey church in Rennes, France

Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine is an abbey church in Rennes built on a Latin cross plan, with a classical bell tower topped by a copper dome. The building combines Romanesque and Gothic elements and is listed as both a registered and classified historical monument in France.

The first church was built on the tomb of Saint Melaine, bishop of Rennes around 500, and was burned and rebuilt in the 7th and 10th centuries. Rebuilt from 1026, it was restored as an abbey from 1054 by the monk Even, sent by Sigo of Saint-Florent de Saumur at the request of Count Geoffroy Grenonat. The bell tower was rebuilt in 1432 on Romanesque bases, and its sculpted limestone facade dates from 1676.

The church is dedicated to Saint Melaine, traditionally held to be the first bishop of Rennes, who died here in the 6th century. His relics were partly returned to the abbey in the 11th century through Abbot Even, after Gervais de Bellême, archbishop of Reims, gave up the portion his family kept at Argentré. A daily Mass is held at 18:00, and the Sunday solemn Mass at 10:30.

The church stands right next to Thabor Park in the northeastern part of the city and is easy to reach on foot from the city center. The copper dome with the large Virgin and Child statue on top makes it easy to spot from a distance.

Between 1803 and 1844, this church took on the role of the city's cathedral while Saint Peter's Cathedral was being reconstructed. For over four decades, it stood as the main place of worship for all of Rennes.