The cathedral exterior Quimper Cathedral

1 cathedral exterior

1.1 north portals
1.2 western façade of saint-corentin cathedral , west portal
1.3 cathedral s south portal

the cathedral exterior

there several entrances (portals) cathedral; 3 north portals, south portal known porche de la vièrge , magnificent west portal.

the north portals

there 3 portals on cathedral s north side; la façade septentrionale , these can best admired centre of quimper s place laēnnec statue of rené laennec, french physician invented stethoscope in 1816, while working @ hôpital necker, , pioneered use in diagnosing various chest conditions. on far right porche des baptêmes , leads north nave. portal comprises double door separated trumeau. above doors , in triangular pediment, arms of canon pierre du quenquis whilst @ top of pediment arms of jean v motto ma vie , crest of wife jeanne de france in diamond shaped lozenge carried dove. below arms of monseigneur bertrand de rosmadec motto en bon espoir . left , right of pediment arms of barons of nėvet , guengat. porche de la chandeleur located @ northern end of transept , built between 1475 , 1479 mason pierre le goaraguer , son guillaume. single door surmounted triangular pediment , arch s external voussures decorated carvings of acanthus leaves whilst above door ornate finial above hermine passant (a stoat passing in heraldic terms). third portal, situated between porche des baptêmes , porche de la chandeleur , small , in earlier times gave access ossuary , cemetery, no longer used.

the western façade of saint-corentin cathedral , west portal

the west façade , portal of saint-corentin cathedral

the west façade of saint-corentin cathedral comprises 2 great spires , magnificent portal series of angels decorating arch s voussoirs. on trumeau, 1 greeted statue of christ giving blessing whilst holding globe. treads on grimacing demon. before 1793, sculpture on trumeau had been equestrian figure in granite of jean v destroyed in year. remains of statue in fact held in nearby musėe dėpartmental breton. @ top of arch between 2 spires there statue of legendary king gradlon first stone of western facade laid on 26th july 1424 monseigneur bertrand de rosmadec in presence of representative of jean v, duke of bretagne. both within , without triangular pediment above voussoirs, many crests , mottos including crest of helmeted lion of montfort holding standard bearing words malo au riche duc! , battle-cry of breton dukes, arms of jean v, duke of bretagne s 3 sons, crest of jeanne de france, guillaume de rosmadec, bertrand de rosmadec, barons of nėvet motto pėrag? pourquoi? , motto of nobles of bodigneau , clohars-fouesnant l aventure! , whilst on right , near helmet decorated valances motto of nobles of guengat lėal à ma foy , arms of nobles of quėlenec.

the cathedral s south portal

the south portal part of facade mėridionale or south facade , known porche de la vierge or porche de sainte catherine . has statue of virgin mary child in tympanum, angels wafting censers on either side. seated , below feet bust of angel spread wings. child holds gently stroking bird carries. in niche in 1 of buttresses there statue of catherine of alexandria carved kersanton. above door triangular pediment 3 ėcussons ( crests or shields ) including crest of duchess jeanne de france surmounted hermine passante ( passing stoat ), emblem of brittany, inscription ma vie . shown arms , mottos of monseigneur de rosmadec , guillaume de rosmadec. outside of pediment crests of bodigneau family , family quėlennec. voissoirs in upper part of portal s arch depict 8 angels playing instruments. niches in lower voissoirs empty.