There are 15 (out of 27) Catholic churches, cathedral and chapels and 2 (out of 9) convents still active in Vannes.
The above photo is that of a school’s chapel (Saint-Yves chapel of the Jules-Simon school next to the City Hall of Vannes) that is no longer used.
Saint-Patern de Vannes Church
The Saint-Patern (named after the first bishop of Vannes) was built in 1727.
Saint-Patern de Vannes church in Vannes, Brittany
Backside of Saint-Patern de Vannes church in Vannes, BrittanyThe original Saint-Patern was destroyed by the Norman invasion in the 10th century. When the new church was built, there was struggles between different religious groups for the ownership of the relics of Saint Patern (and the thereby financial offerings that went with it). Eventually it was Rome who intervened.
In 1721 until 1726 major storms destroyed the church and it was rebuilt a third time.
The nave of the Saint-Patern church in Vannes, Brittany
Altar part of the Saint-Patern church in Vannes, Brittany
Fountain outside the Saint-Patern church in Vannes, Brittany
Small chapel inside the Saint-Patern church in Vannes, Brittany
Bust in one of the chapels inside the Saint-Patern church in Vannes, Brittany
One of the chapels inside the Saint-Patern church in Vannes, Brittany
Bigger chapel inside the Saint-Patern church in Vannes, Brittany
Part of a chapel inside the Saint-Patern church in Vannes, BrittanyUrsulines Chapel
The “Chapelle des Ursulines” is the sole survivor of the Ursulines Convent. The chapel was built in 1688 was part of the convent. The convent burned down in 1949.
The Chapelle des Ursulines in Vannes, Brittany
The Ursulines Chapel in Vannes, BrittanyToday it’s a library. Only the facade is the way it was, inside everything was transformed.
Carmel Monastery
The grounds for the Carmet monastery was given to the “Discalced Carmelites” in the 17th century. The monks built a church and buildings, but the work was not done properly and the city decided to destroy the buildings and build a new church in 1737.
The former Carmel Monastery in Vannes, Brittany
The church portion of the former Carmel Monastery in Vannes, Brittany
The main building of the former Carmel Monastery in Vannes, BrittanyThe monastery was never popular, and during the French revolution, only 12 monks were there. The buildings were confiscated, and over the later years changed hands many times until the city of Vannes bought it. The former monastery served as school, museum and now, since 1981, it’s the national music school and has been renamed “Conservatoire de Vannes“.
Conclusion
There are still some very nice and well kept religious buildings in Vannes, thanks to the fact that Vannes was never bombed during WWII.
Related Posts
- 10000
The city of Vannes in Brittany is old, and very well preserved. The fortified walls extend all along the old city centre and merits a visit. - 10000
The gothic Saint-Pierre (Saint Peter) cathedral in Vannes, Brittany is quite beautiful and merits a visit. Building started in the 11th century and finished in the 18th century. - 10000
Nantes is France's 6th largest city with some 300,000 inhabitants and 950,000 in the metropolitan area, and it was once the capital of Brittany (that was in the 15th century). Although over the centuries it was part of the Brittany region, nowadays it is no longer considered as such, much… - 10000
The ramparts (fortified walls) of Vannes are near totally preserved over the centuries. There are not many of these left in France, and they can see seen from different angles. A highly recommended visit. - 10000
Vannes, particularly the old city, is a very interesting visit. The ramparts (fortified walls) are for a large part very well preserved and merit a visit. Here's ho to get there, where to stay and eat.