Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Rennes

The cathedral of Rennes hides an unexpectedly opulent interior behind a relatively plain classical facade of grey granite. Rebuilt over several centuries after earlier structures collapsed, its nave is richly decorated with coloured marble, gilding, and painted panels in a style closer to Roman churches than to northern Gothic. A finely carved Flemish altarpiece is among its treasures. Standing at the edge of the historic centre where the medieval city gates once stood, it anchors the old town of the Breton capital.