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Origin and history

The church of Saint-Gildas d'Auray, located in the Morbihan department in Brittany, is a 17th-century Catholic religious building. It was erected in 1623 according to plans of architect Gilles Monsay, from Port-Louis. The work ended in 1636, as evidenced by the dates engraved on the gables, and the church was consecrated in 1641. Its bell tower, completed in 1663, was rebuilt in 1832 after being shot down. The architectural ensemble is distinguished by its homogeneity and sobriety, characteristic of the Breton Baroque style.

The altarpiece, made in 1657 by Lavallois architect Olivier Martinet, is a masterpiece in stone and marble. The church also retains remarkable furniture: a 19th-century organ, baptismal fonts with a carved dais, and 18th-century woodwork in the side chapels. In the 20th century, the transept stained glass windows, created in the 1930s by the Rault Brothers of Rennes, illustrate the life of Saint Gildas. Ranked a historic monument in 1995, the church suffered arson in 2018 that partially damaged its interior.

Today, St.Gildas Church remains an active place of worship, with Sunday Mass celebrated every Sunday at 11 a.m. It embodies both the religious and artistic heritage of Brittany, while playing a central role in Auray's parish life. Its altarpiece and organ, in particular, attracts lovers of sacred art and baroque architecture. The protection of historic monuments underscores its heritage importance, despite the vagaries of its recent history.

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