Saint-Pierre Church (Église Saint-Pierre)
About Saint-Pierre Church (Église Saint-Pierre)
Église Saint-Pierre is a Gothic Flamboyant and Renaissance church rebuilt by Bishop Geoffroy Herbert beginning in 1494, replacing a ruined 13th-century structure damaged during the Hundred Years' War. The church measures 42 meters long and 17 meters wide, featuring a five-bay nave with side aisles, an imposing transept, and a two-bay choir with ambulatory. Its octagonal Renaissance lantern tower, completed between 1550 and 1581, was designed to resemble a papal tiara and echoes the nearby cathedral's tower. Notable treasures include a 1656 organ by Robert Ingoult, intricately carved 17th-century choir stalls, a 1737 wooden pulpit from the former Cordeliers Convent in Granville, and 16th-century stained glass windows (some destroyed in WWII bombings). The church was classified as a Monument Historique in 1901. Currently undergoing restoration following damage from Storm Ciaran in 2023 - visitors should verify access before visiting.
Interesting Facts
The church was first documented in 1056 when Duke William the Bastard (later William the Conqueror) mentioned it in a charter to Coutances Cathedral. By 1108, chronicles already described the basilica as "very ancient" (ab antiquis temporibus constructa), suggesting its origins may date back to the early medieval period.
During the French Revolution, the church was stripped of its religious function and converted into a hay barn. This humble use actually helped preserve the structure, as many other churches were demolished for building materials during this period.
The church preserves 13th-century capitals with crockets (decorative leaf-shaped elements) from the earlier building that was destroyed. These medieval fragments were incorporated into the 1494 reconstruction, making it possible to see architectural details nearly 200 years older than the current structure.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
11 Rue Saint-Pierre, 50200 Coutances, France
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