Saint-Étienne Cathedral in Saint-Brieuc is one of Brittany’s nine historic cathedrals and the present seat of the Diocese of Saint-Brieuc and Tréguier. A key stop on the Tro Breiz pilgrimage route, it preserves relics of Saint Brieuc, the 6th-century Welsh monk who evangelized the region. The current Gothic building was constructed between the 13th and 18th centuries and has been listed as a historic monument since 1906.
Its silhouette, marked by two asymmetrical towers, reflects a layered history. The north tower, begun in the 13th century, once had a defensive character, while the south tower—known as “Marie”—was completed in the 15th century thanks to the patronage of Duke John V. During the French Revolution, the cathedral was even used as a warehouse. Built on marshy ground and supported by wooden piles, it presents a unique architectural feature: visitors descend two flights of steps to enter the nave, creating an unexpected visual effect, as the interior appears taller than the exterior suggests.
Inside, highlights include the great nave rose window (completed in 1728), the restored polychrome decoration of the ambulatory and axial chapel—where ochre tones and neo-Gothic elements have been carefully revived—and the grand Cavaillé-Coll organ (1847–1849), one of Brittany’s most important historic instruments. The cathedral is completed by a remarkable peal of five bells housed in its twin towers.
- Address
Pl. Général de Gaulle, 22000 Saint-Brieuc, France - Web
https://www.cathedrale-saintbrieuc.fr/ - Visiting Hours
Saturday and Sunday from 14:00 to 18:00 - What to see
The 1728 Rose Window , the Cavaillé-Coll Organ (1847–1849), the Descending Entrance to the Nave
