Saint-Sauveur Basilica

As we walk by the Saint-Sauveur Basilica, I would like to tell you a story. The current church was built in the 18th century, but it replaces a chapel that was here for as long as anyone can remember. Yet, I am not here to talk about architecture, religion, or even its organ or stained glass windows, but about miracles. There were 4 of them, the most famous dating back to 1357. At that time, Rennes was in the middle of the War of the Breton Succession. Duke Jean III died without a heir, and pretenders to the throne were vying for the dukedom. We’re also in the middle of the Hundred Years’ War, and the conflict is complex and intertwined with the interests of France and England. So much for the background to our miracle. Imagine yourself lying in bed in Rennes, on the night of the February 8th 1357. All of a sudden, the church’s bells start ringing and the candles all light up sponsteanously, as if by magic! The town soldiers rush inside the Saint-Sauveur Church and discover the statue of The Virgin and her child, with her arm stretched out, pointing to a slab on the floor. Soldiers then dug where she was pointing and uncovered a tunnel leading to galleries dug by the English to attack the town. Their plan was foiled, and Rennes was saved. The more down-to-earth among you may be interested to know that historians believe the mine was actually discovered, but only thanks to Captain Guillaume de Penohët.  There even is a contemporary account of this story, in the song of Duguesclin, which doesn’t mention any supernatural events. Nevertheless, the miracle of the Virgin was recognized by the Bishop of Rennes in the 17th century. Inhabitants also credited the Miraculous Virgin with stopping the Great Fire of 1720. Survivors dedicated her a large watercolor painting, depicting her stopping the flames. By the way, you can see a copy of it inside the church, on the right. The two other known miracles are the healing of women, happening 20 years apart. For all of those reasons, the interior of the church is filled with exvotos. These are thank-yous for granted wishes. They were so popular that it is now forbidden to leave new ones. Either way, you can still take a look inside and pray to the Miraculous Virgin of Rennes. Follow “Rue de Montfort”, to the left of the Basilica, then “Rue du Chapitre” directly on the right.