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Origin and history

The church of St Peter of Caen, located in the medieval village of the city, is mentioned from the 11th century under the name of Sancti Petri. According to tradition, it was founded in the seventh century by Saint Regnobert, bishop of Bayeux, before being rebuilt in the twelfth century. Its historical importance is attested by its role in public ceremonies, such as the Te Deum celebrated in 1593 for the abjuration of Henry IV, putting an end to religious wars. The building, which was closed in 1793 during the Revolution, became a Temple of Reason before being returned to Catholic worship in 1795.

The building spans centuries, mixing Gothic and Renaissance styles. In the 14th century, the choir, the tower (1308) and the facade adorned with an immense rosette were erected, followed by the Gothic bell tower, nicknamed "the king of the bell towers of Normandy" for its regional influence. The 15th century saw the addition of the nave and low side in a flamboyant style, while the Renaissance apse (started in 1521) contrasted harmoniously with the whole. The arrow, destroyed in 1944 by an allied shell, was rebuilt in 1957, bringing the bell tower to 75 metres.

The church underwent major restorations in the 19th and 21st centuries, especially after the damage of the Second World War. In 1944, the collapse of his arrow and the partial fire of the roof marked a turning point in his history. Recent campaigns (XXI century) concern the north facade, the bedside, and the bell tower, where three historic bells — Anne (351 years old), Paul and Peter (211) — were resettled in 2019. An 18th-century meridian, rediscovered that year, bears witness to her rich heritage.

As a historical monument since 1840, Saint-Pierre illustrates Norman architectural evolution, from medieval origins to the Renaissance. His organ, installed in 1997 by Jean-François Dupont, replaces a Cavaillé-Coll instrument destroyed in 1944. Prior to the Revolution, the parish extended to Bourg-le-Roi, Vaugueux and Île Saint-Jean, with cemeteries transferred out of the walls in 1783–85. Today, the church remains a symbol of the Kenyan heritage, combining history, art and collective memory.

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