Nantes' Cathedral: full of visitors a month after reopening!

Nantes' Cathedral: full of visitors a month after reopening!

The Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul cathedral in Nantes finally shines in new splendor! After five years of intensive renovation work, this architectural masterpiece reopened its doors to the public on September 27, 2025. This reopening was a significant moment for the city and the entire region. Unfortunately, the cathedral was severely damaged by a devastating fire in July 2020, which was caused by arson. As a result of the incident, around 95% of the impressive large organ was destroyed and the remarkable glazing of the windows exploded. All of this has led to a tangible preservation project among the monument's supporters.

A month after reopening, visitor numbers are exceeding expectations. The guided tours offered by “Voyage à Nantes” are so popular that places on each tour fill up quickly. For example, the tours on November 1st and October 28th are already fully booked. A special feature of the tours is that they last two hours, during which locals and tourists are guided through the history and ornate architecture of the cathedral. The next available tours are scheduled for November 9th and 22nd, with additional dates planned for December.

The restoration in numbers

It took enormous effort to return the cathedral to its pre-fire condition. The total cost of the renovation was around 35 million euros, which was fully covered by the state. Over 600 craftsmen were employed during these five years, who, among other things, cleaned the works of art and replaced damaged stones with suitable granite. “It also took a comprehensive renovation of the lighting and cleaning of the windows, which now let in light again,” reports Valérie Gaudard, the regional monument conservator. Despite the finishing work, some renovations are still underway, evidenced by visible scaffolding.

The future of the cathedral

Despite the successful reopening, there is still a lot to be done. The main organ still needs to be carefully reconstructed, while the choir stalls have recently been tuned. It is expected that it will take at least three years for the cathedral to regain the full splendor of its original features. The question that concerns many visitors today is: How will the cathedral develop over time?

The importance of the cathedral to Nantes and the surrounding region cannot be overstated. It is not only a landmark of the city, but also a place that combines cultural and historical significance. Cathedrals are masterpieces of architecture and require ongoing maintenance and reconstruction to ensure their preservation. Many of these majestic buildings, such as St. Mary's Church in Lübeck, also face similar challenges, as explained in an article by Deutschlandfunk.

For everyone who has not yet visited Nantes Cathedral, there remains the opportunity to become part of this exciting journey through history and architecture. With a good knack for project management and commitment from preservationists, the cathedral will undoubtedly continue to be a place of attraction.

For more information, visit the articles from France Bleu and France Info as well as the extensive analysis of Deutschlandfunk culture.