The facade with its two high towers and the remarkable nave from the 13th century made of limestone from Caen demonstrate the stylistic and economical heritage from Normandy.
The stoup on the right bears the arms of Monseigneur Robert Cupif (1639-1646) and at the bottom has the inscription "In nomine patris et filii et spiritus sancti".
Also in this area is a sarcophagus thought to date back to the 11th century and believed by some historians to be the grave of Conan Meriadoc the first Christian king of Brittany.
The cartouche bears the coat of arms of Monseigneur Guy le Clerc who was the Léon bishop from 1514 to 1521 and his motto "Battons et Abattons".
Just by the saint Roch altar there is an enfeu containing the tomb of Jean Le Scaff who was the sénéchal of Léon in 1500 and his wife Anne du Bois of Kerlosquet.
A sign on a column reads " Domine, in nomine tuo daemonia subjiciuntur nobis" and below that "Et cruciabuntur igne et sulfure angelorum in conspectu".
The inscription reads "ICI REPOSE JEHAN LE SCAFF, SÉNÉCHAL DE LÉON EN MV ET ANNE DU BOIS SA COMPAGNE!
This stained glass window dates to 1891 and represents the parable related in Luke 18- "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
He was assisted by a knight from Cléder subsequently known as "Kergournadec'h" based on the fact that he was fearless ("il ne recule pas"/"He did not flinch").
Amongst the items kept in the cathedral sacristy is the "étole" (stole) which legend has it saint Pol put around the dragon's neck and led it towards the sea.
Saint Apollonia was one of a group of virgin martyrs who suffered in Alexandria during a local uprising against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius.
[16] There is an "enfeu" (a walled up tomb) on the gospel side of the chapel which contains the heart of Monseigneur Léopold de Léséleuc, a Breton who had served as the Bishop of Autun, Chalons and Mâcon from 1814 to 1873.
This Lobin stained glass window dates to 1867 and in four lancets depicts the nativity, the presentation in the temple, the last supper and the resurrection, scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.
Each lancet has a descriptive inscription "NATIS EST HODIE SALVATOR ; NUNC DEMITTIS SERVUM TUUM DOMINE ; EGO SUM PANIS VITAE ; SURREXCIT SICUT DIXIT".
[18] Above the sacristry door the stained glass window bears the arms of the Kervenoaêl family and is based on Raphaël's painting of the "pêche miraculeuse".
The depiction of the "Apparition du Sacré-Cœur" appears in the central lancet with the inscription "VOILA LE COEUR QUI A TANT AIME LES HOMMES".
[19] The altarpiece, dating to the 19th century, is wooden and has bas-reliefs as decoration, that on the left representing the "Dream of Saint Pol" and that on the right "The fisherman discovering the bell".
In front of the altar balustrade is the tombstone of François Le Veyer of Kerisnel, who had died in 1570 and been one of the officials in charge of the parish of Saint-Pierre which included Roscoff West and Santec.
The altar includes a painting which was acquired by the "congrégation du Rosaire" in 1643 and is a panoramic view of St Pol de Léon at that time.
Surrounded by two angels the altar has a ciborium which hangs from a carved wooden replica of a palm tree symbolising "Victory" and the "Resurrection".
In the Middle Ages, religious wood carving played an important role in ecclesiastical architecture and those in the cathedral date to the 16th century.
There are 33 stalls on each side of the choir, 17 in the higher range and 16 lower down and each has been carved with a variety of depictions with representations of foliage, strange animals, dragons and amusing subjects.
Called "Les Etagères de la nuit", these wooden "skull boxes" or "boîtes à crâne" are kept behind a grill in the cathedral's ambulatory.
At one time these "skull boxes" were common in Brittany and it was the practice up until the 19th century to remove skeletons from the cemetery after they had been buried for 5 years in order to create space for new remains.
The skulls seen on the shelves come from all classes of society from a baker, a health inspector, an infant aged only 6 and a priest to Hamon Barbier the archdeacon of Kéménédilly who owned the famous Kerjean château.
Cugnot's sculpture depicts the bishop tendering a letter to the National Convention, proposing that he take the place of priests who had been put in prison.
It was de la Marche who donated funds to Saint-Pol-de-Léon to cover the cost of a college built under the direction of the architect Robinet and a large seminary.
The monument was saved from total destruction during the Revolution although the coat of arms was chiselled away and a finger of his right hand bearing his ring was also broken off.
Monseigneur Bishop Roland de Neufville's tomb is located on the south side of the ambulatory and there is also a stained glass window in the cathedral honouring his memory.
The inscription reads "NEVFVILLE PVISNE DV PLESSIS, BARDOVL, EVESQUE DE LEON L'AN 1562, DECEDE LE 5 FEVRIER 1613".
Saint-Pol Cathedral: west front
A view of Saint Paul Aurélien cathedral with its two towers
The nave looking towards the apse
The south porch with a statue of Christ giving a blessing in the trumeau
The window representing "Les œuvres de miséricorde" or the good works of the church
The baptistry
Rose window. At the centre of the rose is a representation of the "Trinity". At the base of the window lancets depict Jesus' arrest, Jesus in front of Pontius Pilate, Jesus being mocked and beaten ("la Dérision"), the journey to Calvary, the crucifixion and the descent from the cross.
In a scene depicting the "Last Judgement" Saint Michael looks down on the fires of Hell. The outer lancets depict Jean le Scaff and his wife.
A window by Lucien Léopold Lobin of Tours dating to 1888 and depicting John the Evangelist's apocalyptic vision at Patmos. Saint John kneels writing as God appears to him.
The stained glass window in bay 14 depicts scenes from the life's of Sainte Anne and Saint Joseph the parents of Jesus.
"La Résurrection de Lazare"
The stained glass window of 1891 by F.Huchet et fils and the Carmel factory. The window represents the parable "Laissez venir à moi les petits enfants"/"Suffer little children to come unto me".
Statue of Saint Apollonia. She holds a pair of pinchers to remind us of her martyrdom.
Stained glass window depicting four scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. Each lancet has a descriptive inscription "NATIS EST HODIE SALVATOR ; NUNC DEMITTIS SERVUM TUUM DOMINE ; EGO SUM PANIS VITAE ; SURREXCIT SICUT DIXIT". The window also carries the coats of arms of the Rodellec family crossed with those of Poulpiquet and Rodellec crossed with those of Relas. It also bears the motto "MAD HA LEAL".
The window "Une Pêche miraculeuse" based on a drawing for a tapestry by Raphaël
19th-century window depicting the "Apparition du Sacré-Cœur" in the cathedral Saint-Paul-Aurélien in Saint-Pol-de-Léon
The tombstone of Marie-Amice Picard
The Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel altar and altarpiece
"Le Jugement Dernier"
Window dates to 1872 and is by Lobin of Tours. It is inscribed at the base "SACERDOTES LEON... FRAIRES IN X HOC MATRI... FERUNT DONUM". It is part of the "Passion du Christ" series and depicts Christ's condemnation and the climb to Golgotha. Note Veronica with her veil and Jesus struggling to carry the cross.
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The ciborium. The ciboire itself rests in the flower of the palm tree. The trunk is decorated with cherubs.
Examples of carvings in the stalls
View of the choir area with the master altar and ciborium with angels on either side in the distance and the rows of stalls on either side. Note the elaborately carved canopies above the stalls
The window depicting Salomon, Saint Pol, the sieur of Kergonadec'h and Françoise d'Amboise
Window depicting John the Baptist, Saint Peter and Saint Paul
This window by Lobin is located to the right of the choir and the two central lancets commemorate Childebert appointing St Pol bishop of Léon ("Comment Childebert fit sacrer St Pol évêque de Léon"). On either side of this central scene are depictions of Saint Hervé and Saint Yves. In the tracery various angels are shown playing musical instruments
A plan of the interior of the Cathédrale Saint-Paul-Aurélien.
1. Stained glass window depicting the "Last Judgement". 2. A modern sculptural group depicting the Holy Family. 3. A 17th-century wooden statue of Saint Joseph. 4. A modern sculpture of Notre-Dame de Lourdes. 5. A 20th-century marble statue of Sainte Thérèse. 6. 17th-century wooden statue of a saint. 7. A 15th-century crucifix in wood. 7. "Apparition du Sacré-Cœur" a 19th-century stained glass window. 8,9 and 10. Altar with statues of Saint Herbot (in terracotta), Saint Éloi and Notre-Dame des Sept-Douleurs and an altarpiece with bas-reliefs " le Songe de saint Pol et Pêcheur découvrant la cloche miraculeuse". 11. A 19th-century sculpture depicting the "Annunciation". 11. A fresco depicting the "Last Judgement". 12. The altar "Autel à la sirène". 13. The "Autel de l'Icône" by A. Bizard, 14. Various tombstones including that of Marie-Amice Picard dating to 1652. 15. The altar "Autel des reliques". 16 to 18. Three 1935 stained glass windows dealing with the "Légende de St-Pol". 19. A 17th-century altar and altarpiece with painting depicting Saint Pol de Léon and statues of John the Baptist, Sainte Claire, Sainte Thérèse, Saint Peter and John the Evangelist. 20. "Les Étagères de la nuit". A collection of skull boxes. 21. The tomb of Monseigneur de Guébriand. 22. The 1651 tomb of Monseigneur de Rieux-Sourdéac. 23. The 1869 tomb of Monseigneur Jean-François de la Marche by L. Cugnot. 24. 19th-century limestone statue "Notre-Dame de Bon-Secours". 24. "La pêche miraculeuse" a stained glass window based on a Raphaël drawing. 25. A painting "Présentation de la règle des Minimes par Saint François de Paule" and plaque commemorating Monseigneur de Léseuleuc. 26. A stained glass window depicting the Nativity, the Presentation in the temple, the Last Supper and the Resurrection. Also the "Autel des Apôtres. 27. Plaque commemorating Monseigneur Jean Gilles de Coetlosquet and a Lobin stained glass window devoted to Saint Joseph. 28. Tomb of the Richard brothers, 29. 17th-century wooden statues of Saint Appolline. 30. A bronze statue of Saint Peter, a replica of a statue in the Vatican and a wooden statue of Sainte Marguerite. 31. A 17th-century wooden statue of Saint Matthieu. 32. An 1883 stained glass window dedicated to Monseigneur de Neufville. 33. The tomb of Monseigneur de Visdelou by N. de la Colonge. 34. Tomb of Monseigneur Roland de Neufville. 35. Tomb of Monseigneur Guillaume de Kersauzon. 36. The Notre-Dame du Mont-Carmel altarpiece with statues of the Guardian Angel and Saint Michael. 37. The "Résurrection de Lazare" a stained glass window by Gaudin. 38. A stained glass window by F.Hucher depicting Jesus with some children. 39. A 1758 painting by L'Hermitais depicting Saint Pol fighting the dragon. 40. A 17th-century painting "La mort du Juste". 41. A 16th-century fresco of three masks symbolizing the Trinity. 42. Wooden altarpiece dedicated to Sainte Anne with a statue of Sainte Anne and statuettes of Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint François. 43. Stained glass window depicting the life of Saint Joseph. 44. A 17th-century painting "Education de la Vierge". 45. An altar and altarpiece with painting of Saint Roch and statues of Saint Roch and Saint Sébastien. 46. Stained glass window depicting "Le jugement des damnés". 47. A stained glass window "Saint Jean à Patmos". 48. The altar of the "Sacre-Cœur. 49. The 1873 Rose stained glass window with "Scène de la Passion". 50. A marble statue of Joan of Arc by Charles Desvergnes. 51. Statue of Saint Anthony. 52. An 18th-century painting of the "Annunciation". 53. A 19th-century painting of the Crucifixion. 54. Wooden 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary with child. 55. A wooden 15th-century crucifix. 56. The 1560 stained glass window "Les Oeuvres de Miséricorde". 57. The Baptistery. 58. The south portal and porch with double-doors leading into the cathedral and a statue of Jesus Christ giving a blessing in the trumeau. 60. The Great Organ of 1660. 61. The west porch with statues of Saint Thomas, Saint Pol and Saint Paul. 62. The Porte des Cacous. The door for lepers. 63. The marble master altar. 64. Oak stalls. 65. Stained glass window "Confession de Saint Pierre et deux épisodes de la vie de St Pol Aurélien. 66. 17th-century wooden statue of Saint Christophe
Gisant of Monseigneur de Rieux-Sourdéac
The tomb of Monseigneur de La Marche in Saint-Paul-Aurélien cathedral in Saint-Pol-de-Léon
The tomb of Monseigneur François de Visdelou
The window honouring Roland de Neufville. Dating to 1883 the stained glass window is by Lobin working with the Carmel factory in Mans. The likeness of Monseigneur de Neufville is based on an illumination depicting the bishop in a missal held in Lyon.
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