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Key figures

Origin and history

The tomb of François II of Brittany and his wife Marguerite de Foix, located in the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Nantes, was created between 1502 and 1507 by Michel Colombe (sculptor) and Jean Perréal (architect). commissioned by Anne of Brittany to glorify her parents, this marble monument of Carrara and serpentine mixes late Gothic and Renaissance styles, with traditional gissers and innovative decors like the Twelve Apostles and the weeping. It also embodies a tribute to the dynasty of the Montforts, perceived as "the tomb of Breton nationality" during the union of the duchy to France.

Originally housed in the Chapel of the Carmelites of Nantes, the tomb housed the remains of Francis II, Marguerite de Foix (transferred in 1507) and the heart of Anne of Brittany in 1514. During the Revolution, the coffins were moved into the crypt of the cathedral, and the monument, hidden to avoid its destruction, was found in 1800. Transferred in 1817 to a southern crusillon, it was classified as a historical monument in 1862. In 2023, a major restoration revealed a box containing bones of three individuals, while the gimmers were exposed to Tours in 2025.

The mausoleum combines religious and political symbolism: the gisers, in suit of apparate and flowered crown, rest on cushions held by angels, surrounded by a lion (symbol of Brittany) and a grey (fidelity). The four cardinal virtues at angles — Force, Temperance, Justice, Prudence — illustrate the princely ideals. The upper register presents patrons and apostles in red marble, while the lower register shows weeping alabaster, draped with serpentine. This combination of noble materials and iconography reflects the prestige sought for this funeral monument.

The historical vicissitudes of the tomb reflect the political upheavals: from its creation under Anne de Bretagne to its protection during the Revolution, to the transfer of relics. Anne's heart, placed in 1514 and exhumed in 1727 for fear of the theft of her golden box, underscores her attachment to Brittany. Today, the tomb remains a major artistic and memorial testimony, linking French Renaissance, Breton heritage and national history.

The restoration of 2023 made it possible to discover new details, such as the ossuary box, and to treat the degradations due to salt on serpentine bases and marble. Planned for 2025, the exhibition of gisers in Tours will pay tribute to Michel Colombe, who worked in this city. This monument, both burial and symbol, continues to fascinate with its mixture of medieval funeral art and renaissant innovations.

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