Église St-Pierre, Caen
St. Pierre from Caen Chateau. Photo by Nicola Poluzzi.
Gothic details of the exterior. Photo by Sergio José Martínez Primiani.
Great rose window. Photo under GFDL.
Much loved by the citizens of Caen, the Église St-Pierre (St. Peter's Church) is a fine example of the transition between Gothic and Renaissance forms.
History
St-Pierre was built on the south side of the castle in the 13th and 14th centuries, and an impressively ornate Renaissance east end was added in the early 16th century.
What to See
The church is best known for its 75m(245ft)-high tower of 1308, whose boldly soaring spire was destroyed in 1944 and subsequently restored.
The interior is notable especially for its exuberant Renaissance apse, with rich decoration and unusual stalactitic vaulting. The nave features pointed Gothic arches and directly over the altar is a life-size sculpture of St. Peter, the church's patron.
The church adjoins Place St-Pierre, which has a monument to Joan of Arc (1964).
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of St-Pierre. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Caen Map or get our free Google Earth download.
