A brief history
The many megaliths and artifacts from the Gallo-Roman age demonstrate that Guérande has been home to many groups. The Bretons of the prince of “Vannes” (Waroc’h (577-594)) may have built the first parish.
Waroc’h is supposed to have created a baptistery in place of the actual choir of the collegiate church “Saint-Aubin”. Near 848, under the reign of Nominoë, the city became the head of a temporary bishopric.
Then, Salomon (the king of Brittany) built a canon college that was a benefit to the city’s development. At the turn of the second millennium, a fortified town could be built and a political and administrative organization could be established thanks to the existing castle. Nevertheless, the first defences were not sufficient to defeat the Spanish troops (allied to Charles de Blois) that attacked the heir to the throne of Brittany Jean de Monfort in 1342.
The treaties signed in 1365 and 1381 ended this war of succession and ushered in the golden age of Guérande, at the end of the Middle Ages. The town continued to grow and develop thanks to the salt and wine trade, hence Guérande was able to equip a strong fleet. But, beginning with the 16th century, Guérande lost its naval presence. The ports were filling in with silt, and the use of salt as a currency became less popular.
Moreover, Guérande grew weaker due to the loss of its vineyards and the suppression of the canon college. Later, Guérande grew thanks to tourism and new economic activities.
The fortifications
In 1343, following the destruction inflicted on Guérande by troops commanded by Charles de Blois, Jean de Montfort demanded that the town be properly protected by improving its fortifications.
Work started soon after and continued for more than a century, with the town's architecture adapted to reflect the latest artillery developments. It was not until 1488, or 145 years later, that these ramparts, by then complete, were inaugurated during the reign of Duke François II (father of Anne of Brittany), a few months before his death.
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- 1434 m long, the ramparts are pierced by four gateways : St Michel to the east, Vannetaise to the north, Bizienne to the west and Saillé to the south).
- In 1848, an additional opening was made in the south-west section of the walls: the Poterne du Tricot.
The Collegiate Church
Very little is known about the succession of religious buildings on the site of the original baptistery built by Prince Waroc’h. Dedicated to Saint Aubin, Bishop of Angers in the 6th century and a native of the peninsula, the church became a collegiate church in the 9th century following the foundation of a chapter of canons attributed to King Solomon. It was rebuilt in about 1200, and the Romanesque pillars in the nave are evidence of that work.
Very badly damaged during the Breton Wars of Succession, the Collegiate Church was restored in time for the signature of the first peace treaty in 1365. Various building projects succeeded one another until the 18th century, improving and adding new features: choir and chevet (15th-16th centuries), Baroque altarpieces and stalls (17th century). But hardly had this work been completed, than the church found itself in the midst of the French Revolution.
It suffered little damage, other than to the windows. However, the Revolution led to major structural changes, since, in 1792, the status of Collegiate Church was abolished and the canons exiled to Spain.
In 1840, following the creation of the National Historical Monuments commission, the church's true value was realised and it was listed. The works undertaken by the architect Bourgerel were overly ambitious and unfortunately caused the collapse of the west front in 1876. It was Eugène Boismen who was charged with reconstructing it in the original style.
Not to be missed ! What to see in Guérande
- the outdoor pulpit, dating from the 15th century
- the south Baptistery porch built in the 15th century
- the Romanesque pillars in the central nave
- the stained glass windows….
