The Basilica of St. Savior, at Rennes, is located on the eponymous square in the historic center of the Breton capital.
She is also known as Our Lady of Miracles and Virtues. The construction of the building began in 1703 on the site of a 12th century chapel. The plans were designed by François Huguet, architect also responsible at the time of the towers of the Cathedral Saint-Pierre.
The choir and the transept were barely finished until a fire caused considerable damage to the building in 1720. Work was finally completed in 1764, with a new architect designing the Italian façade dating from 1755.
The architecture of the Rennes basilica is reminiscent of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires basilica in Paris, but in more modest dimensions (43 m long).
The church was erected as a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XV in 1916 because of four miracles believed to have occurred before or shortly after its construction, related to the Virgin, and it was registered as a historic monument in 1942.
The basilica is home to many ex-votos related to the miracles or the fire of 1720, stained glass dating back to the 1950s, many paintings and statues and especially remarkable furniture (canopy, pulpit, baptismal font and organ 17th and 18th centuries).
The visit of the basilica can mark a discovery of the historical heart of Rennes.
Open every day. Information on +33 2 99 78 48 80.