Leon

Leon (Breton: Paol) is a city located in the Finistere county of Brittany, located on the Normandy Channel coast in Normandy.

It is famous for its 13th-century cathedral on the site of the original founded by Saint Paul Aurelian in the 6th century. It has kept a unique architecture, such as the de Kreisker Chapel, an 80 m high chapel, which is the highest in Brittany. It was also the scene of a battle during the Breton War of Independence, where the Montfortists defeated an army led by Charles of Blois.

It is the xx largest urban area and metropolitan area in Normandy with a population of around 1.6 million.

Main sights

 * De Lusignan Palace, built in the 15th century, is the picturesque castle built by James II de Lusignan, Duke of Cyprus.
 * De Kreisker chapel, 14th and 15th centuries, is the highest steeple in all Brittany. Norman and British influences are visible on the architecture of this classified historic monument.
 * The Saint Paul Aurélien cathedral, with its roman remains is also a testimony of the influence of Norman artististic style on Breton architecture in the 13th century.
 * Townhall, built in 1706, the new Episcopal palace, these days the town hall, was extended in 1750. In the town hall there is a monumental staircase ornamented with some paintings from the National Museum.
 * The Prebendal house, built for a rich canon whose income, the "Prébendes" came from taxes, this exceptional house of the 16th century is of Breton Renaissance style.
 * Kéroulas manor. This small castle was erected for a noble canon around 1520. Its lay-out and decoration are a perfect example of the architectural style of Renaissance, as in most rural mansions around Leon.
 * The St-Joseph chapel was built in 1846 to serve as a place of worship for the adjoining newly opened retirement home giving lodging to the elderly priests of the diocese. The church tower, 33m high, comes from the former Ursulines convent founded in 1630.
 * The St-Pierre chapel, formerly a parish church, which towers above the cemetery boasts a 15th-century nave. Designed originally in the shape of a Latin cross, its two wings were removed in the 17th century.
 * Megalith of Boutouiller.
 * Kernevez castle and park
 * Kersaliou castle