Maillezais Cathedral

About

Saint-Pierre de Maillezais Cathedral is an abbey church converted in 1317 into a cathedral in Maillezais, Vendée department. It remained the seat of the bishopric of Maillezais until 1648, when the episcopal seat was transferred to the cathedral of Saint-Barthélémy-du-Grand-Temple in La Rochelle. Since 2009, it has been the seat of the titular bishops of Maillezais.

The first buildings date from the 10th century, then the cathedral completed around the 15th century is left to abandonment. Then the old cathedral was sold as a national good during the Revolution to serve as a stone quarry. The ruins still visible are the refectory, the dormitory, the kitchen, the salt cellar, the ramparts with turrets, as well as the north side of the cathedral (clocher, nave and transept).

A house built in the late 19th century is visible at the site of the former Episcopal Palace. The former abbey of Saint-Pierre (vestiges of the abbey) has been classified as historical monuments since January 30, 1924. It is the property of the Vendée county council.