St. Sauveur Basilica, Dinan, France

The construction of St. Sauveur Basilica was commissioned around 1120 by Sir Rivallon le Roux, Lord of Dinan, on his return from the first Crusade. The church was extensively rebuilt and extended during the 15th and 16th centuries and is a successful blend of architectural styles. The lower part of facade is part of the original 12th century building. The bell tower was built during the 18th century to replace the 17th century dome which had been destroyed by lightning.

References:

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User Reviews

Andy Chislett-McDonald (17 months ago)
Just go an see it. The whole town is 'chocolate box' pretty.

A. Ayres (2 years ago)
A spectacular and atmospheric basilica, one of the highlights of the lovely town of Dinan. It is quite cavernous and dark, but that only adds to the atmospheric nature of the place, and it serves to highlight the stunning and colourful stained glass windows, many of which depict the patron saints of typical professions in the town's history. A delight.

Jennifer Spaulding (2 years ago)
Beautiful Basilica in the "old" section of Dinan. Enjoyed the history, architecture and natural coolness of the interior in the heat of day.

not dub (2 years ago)
This is a beautiful Basilica in the heart of Dinan, a not-very-touristy town in the Brittany area. Not as huge and ornate as some of the bigger, better known Cathedrals, but every bit as beautiful and feels more like a place people actually use than a show piece.

Mark Rowland (2 years ago)
A fascinating Church from a variety of periods. The modern stained glass is a particular highlight.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Martin M. Miles

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Abbey of Saint-Étienne

The Abbey of Saint-Etienne, also known as Abbaye aux Hommes ('Men"s Abbey'), is a former monastery dedicated to Saint Stephen (Saint Étienne). It is considered, along with the neighbouring Abbaye aux Dames ('Ladies" Abbey'), to be one of the most notable Romanesque buildings in Normandy. Like all the major abbeys in Normandy, it was Benedictine.

Lanfranc, before being an Archbishop of Canterbury, was abbot of Saint-Etienne. Built in Caen stone during the 11th century, the two semi-completed churches stood for many decades in competition. An important feature added to both churches in about 1120 was the ribbed vault, used for the first time in France. The two abbey churches are considered forerunners of the Gothic architecture. The original Romanesque apse was replaced in 1166 by an early Gothic chevet, complete with rosette windows and flying buttresses. Nine towers and spires were added in the 13th century. The interior vaulting shows a similar progression, beginning with early sexpartite vaulting (using circular ribs) in the nave and progressing to quadipartite vaults (using pointed ribs) in the sanctuary.

The two monasteries were finally donated by William the Conqueror and his wife, Matilda of Flanders, as penalty for their marriage against the Pope"s ruling. William was buried here; Matilda was buried in the Abbaye aux Dames. Unfortunately William"s original tombstone of black marble, the same kind as Matilda"s in the Abbaye aux Dames, was destroyed by the Calvinist iconoclasts in the 16th century and his bones scattered.

As a consequence of the Wars of Religion, the high lantern tower in the middle of the church collapsed and was never rebuilt. The Benedictine abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution and the abbey church became a parish church. From 1804 to 1961, the abbey buildings accommodated a prestigious high school, the Lycée Malherbe. During the Normandy Landings in 1944, inhabitants of Caen found refuge in the church; on the rooftop there was a red cross, made with blood on a sheet, to show that it was a hospital (to avoid bombings).

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