Legend says that there was a church on the site of the Abbey of Daoulas in the 6C, but the first records show it was founded in 1167 by the Canons Regular of the Order of St Augustine under the Viscount of Léon. At that time the town of Daoulas was a important trading port between the Léon district of Brittany, and Cornwall.
The Cloister is beautiful, the only Romanesque cloister in Brittany.
The rights of the Canons were suppressed in 1790, during the Revolution, and the buildings sold for private use, although the church remained as a parish church.
After WWII a school was established in the grounds.
The gardens are modern, laid out between 1994-97, and a medicinal garden, showing the use of plants in dealing with illness.
In the grounds were these figures – I would imagine they were part of the original Abbey.
Opposite the Abbey is the small Chapel of St Anne, once a hospice.
Do visit if you are in the area, and particularly on a Sunday.
You may be interested in
The Abbey of Daoulas
A Visit to Daoulas
Candy Blackham
Yes, it was beautiful, and peaceful – thank you for visiting
Caroline
What an absolutely beautiful place!