Basilica of Saint Nicholas of Nantes, Nantes, France

The First Church

A chapel or small subsidiary church was constructed between the second half of the 11th century and the end of the 12th century. In the 18th century, the priest, theologian, and historian Nicolas Travers postulated the existence of a construction before 1186, citing the mention of a “St. Nicolas cemetery” in that year. At that time, the area was part of the Similien of Nantes parish. In 1226, Peter I of Brittany initiated the construction of an enclosure that encompassed the St. Nicolas neighborhood.

15th Century Extension

In the early 15th century, the fortifications had deteriorated to such an extent that Duke Francis I was prompted to undertake a program of renovation and reconstruction. This included the rebuilding of the St. Nicolas gate, situated at the junction of present-day Arche-Sèche and Commandant-Boulay streets. During this period, the St. Nicolas church also underwent renovations. Its name was first mentioned in a document dated 1444, which certified the work on the building’s portal by Mathurin Rodier. Rodier was also responsible for the reconstruction of the nearby St. Nicolas gate. The church was situated at the heart of a parish bearing its name.

From 1450 onward, the Church underwent a series of expansions that coincided with a notable increase in the parish’s population. The Fabric Council resolved to procure some properties, including a residence owned by Michel Botinat, a property belonging to the religious community of the Saint-Marie de Pornic convent, and another property owned by Jehan Rouxeau, a knight serving the Duke of Brittany. Consequently, plots of land were purchased to create a separation between the structure and the curtain wall. The nave of the church was then constructed on a portion of the ancient wall erected by Peter I, which still exists today in the form of remnants visible on Duvoisin Street ,situated along the western side of the current church. The successive extensions were such that they justified a new inauguration, conducted by Bishop Pierre of Chaffault on 24 February 1478. Two notable features of the building were a 20-meter-high stained glass window and an altar adorned with 26 statues.

17th and 18th Centuries

In the mid-17th century, the bell tower was in a state of disrepair and was at risk of collapsing. A fundraising campaign was initiated, which included the sale of valuable liturgical books. The restoration work commenced in 1766 and was concluded in 1772.However, the parish had a more ambitious vision, namely the complete reconstruction of the building. The initial plans were drafted as early as 1773, and the decision to proceed with the reconstruction was made in 1789. The renovation that spanned from 1766 to 1772 thus marked the final modification to the existing structure, which featured three naves separated by a substantial pillar. The chevet was flat, with the apse situated at the current Affre Street , accessible from the south via Place Félix-Fournier . The main entrance was from the south, via a porch located at the current Félix-Fournier Square. The church retained its monumental stained glass window and ornate altar.