St Sauveur Basilica – A superb blend of architectures
Rivallon le Roux, lord of Dinan, had the St Sauveur Basilica built around 1120 upon his return from the First Crusade, as a sign of gratitude to the Lord Saviour for his protection.
The church underwent significant reconstructions and expansions in the 15th and 16th centuries, resulting in a harmonious blend of architectural styles.
The lower part of the facade dates from the 12th century, and the porch is a masterpiece of Romanesque art.
It is indeed adorned with sculptures of great finesse and beauty, representing imaginary beasts, wild and exotic animals encountered by the Crusaders, such as parrots and lions, and demons tormenting sinners.
The latter were intended to frighten parishioners and dissuade them from straying.
This type of sculpture is common in many Romanesque churches. In the 11th and 12th centuries, Christianity continued to consolidate its influence, particularly in rural areas where ancient pagan deities were still worshiped unofficially.
The Church of Rome thus used these terrifying images to deter people from such “impious” practices by brandishing the threat of eternal damnation.
The interior of the basilica is as impressive as its exterior, with its magnificent flamboyant Gothic-style gable. The St Sauveur Basilica was classified as a historical monument in 1862.
Gravestone of Bertrand Du Guesclin
The magnificent Flamboyant Gothic nave and apse of the St Sauveur Basilica date from the 15th and 16th centuries.
The modern stained-glass windows, made by the Barillet workshops, represent the saints of the Catholic calendar and bathe the north transept in light.
The church also houses the 14th-century tombstone containing the heart of Bertrand Du Guesclin.
The Du Guesclin family was a junior branch of the lords of Dinan, just like the lords of Lanvallay.
All were buried in the St Sauveur Basilica, except Guillaume de Lanvallay, who left for England in the 12th century and was buried in Walkern Church, north of London, where his effigy can still be seen.
Place St Sauveur
Chestnut trees surround the church square, which serves as a parking lot for most of the week, except for one day when it hosts a small flea market.
Place Saint-Sauveur is a little away from the busy city centre, and exudes a unique charm and atmosphere.
Most of the half-timbered houses that line it date back to the Middle Ages. Some have been converted in restaurants and cafés with terraces open during the summer, making it a friendly place to meet up for a coffee or a crêpe.
The superb half-timbered private of the Maison Pavie, at Nos. 10-12, stands out. This beautifully restored building, now a guesthouse, was the birthplace and family home of Auguste Pavie, the French explorer and diplomat who studied at the nearby Benedictine convent.
On the other side of the square you will find the Hôtel de Serisay, built in 1665, and one of the most beautiful residences in Dinan.
St Sauveur Basilica – Jardin Anglais
The former medieval cemetery of the St Sauveur Basilica has been transformed into a pleasant public garden, the Jardin Anglais (English Garden) in homage to the British community of Dinan.
An alley connects the Tour Sainte-Catherine to the Poterne du Cardinal (Postern), running alongside the upper rampart and offering an unobstructed view of the port of Lanvallay and the viaduc.
The garden has several benches placed among the lawns and flowerbeds and offer a great place to stop and rest.
The garden boasts one of the oldest trees in the city, a ginkgo biloba, recognised as one of the “Three Remarkable Trees of Dinan” by the General Council of Côtes d’Armor. The other two listed trees are an araucaria in the cemetery and a Magnolia Soulangeana near Saint-Malo Church.
Department of Côtes d’Armor – Dinan
Coordinates: Lat 48.453522 – Long -2.041984
