Cathédrale Saint-Corentin
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Cathédrale Saint-Corentin is a Roman Catholic cathedral and minor basilica dedicated to Notre-Dame and Saint Corentin, on Place Saint-Corentin in Quimper, Brittany.
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Why go
- One of Brittany’s three oldest Gothic cathedrals, classified as a historic monument since 1862.
- The main altar by Placide Poussielgue-Rusand, shown at the 1867 Exposition Universelle and given to Quimper by Napoleon III.
- One of seven cathedrals and basilicas on the Tro Breizh pilgrimage route.
- An organ with 58 stops across four manuals and a pedal.
- Twin spires rising 76 metres.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 18:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 18:00
Tuesday10:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 18:00
Wednesday10:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 18:00
Thursday10:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 18:00
Friday10:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 18:00
Saturday10:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 18:00
Sunday10:00 – 12:00, 15:00 – 18:00
Don't miss
- King Gradlon’s statueLook for the statue of the legendary King Gradlon.Above the arch between the west façade’s spires
- Porche de la ViergeThe carving depicts the Virgin Mary with child.South portal
- Saint Corentin windowA 19th-century window shows Saint Corentin blessing Saint Guénolé and Tudy.Inside the cathedral
- PulpitJean Michelet and Olivier Daniel made this Baroque pulpit in polychrome, gilded wood; its panels depict Saint Corentin’s life.Inside the cathedral
- Back-to-back apostlesA 16th-century granite sculpture joins John the Evangelist and Saint Peter as back-to-back figures.
Know before you go
- Daily, 10:00–12:00 and 15:00–18:00.
Interesting facts4
-
Saint Corentin was the cathedral’s first bishop.
Quimper Cathedral - Wikipedia -
1801
The cathedral has served as the seat of the Quimper and Léon diocese since 1801.
Cathédrale Saint-Corentin de Quimper - Wikipedia -
1886
A chapel received Saint Corentin’s arm relic in 1886.
Quimper Cathedral - Wikipedia -
The choir screen is made of wrought iron by Everaert.
Kathedrale Saint-Corentin - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Several earlier sanctuaries occupied the site, although little is known about them. In 1060–1080, a large cemetery covered present-day Place Laënnec, with paths converging toward the cathedral nave.
- 1031A chapel dedicated to the Virgin was founded within the earlier religious complex.
- 1128A Romanesque cathedral is attested on the site; its form and construction date remain largely unknown.
- 1239Bishop Rainaud commissioned construction, beginning with the choir.
- Early 15th centuryBuilding work gathered pace with Duke Jean V’s involvement.
- 26 July 1424Bishop Bertrand de Rosmadec laid the west façade’s first stone and commissioned the nave and two façade towers.
Show all
- 1475–1486The north transept arm was built, together with the crossing vault.
- 1489–1493The nave vaults were painted and completed.
- 1515The main rebuilding was completed.
- 10 August 1613Fire damaged the north tower’s roof.
- 16 February 1620Lightning set the lead spire on fire.
- 1801Restoration and further construction followed the Concordat.
- 1854–1856Architect Joseph Bigot completed the two towers.
- 1862The cathedral was classified as a historic monument.
- 11 March 1870The cathedral became a minor basilica.
- 1990s–2000sRestoration strengthened the structure and partly recovered its original brighter colours; decoration resembling its late 15th-century appearance was unveiled after work completed in December 1999.
Sources: Quimper Cathedral - Wikipedia · La Paroisse Quimper – Saint-Corentin - Le Diocè… · Cathédrale Saint-Corentin de Quimper - Wikipedia · Kathedrale Saint-Corentin - Wikipedia · checked 6 Oct 2026
Where
Place St Corentin, Quimper
- Phone
- 0298920050
Questions and answers
Is the small north-side portal at Cathédrale Saint-Corentin still used?
No. It once led to the ossuary and cemetery, but it is no longer used.
Where can I see the Romanesque carving from Cathédrale Saint-Corentin?
The carved capital found in 1879 is kept at the Musée départemental breton in Quimper.
When was Cathédrale Saint-Corentin classified as a historic monument?
It was classified in 1862.
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