Days 7 and 8 in France passed in a haze of antibiotics and painkillers, but on Day 10, stuffed with medication, I pulled myself out of bed for some gentle exploration and we set off to look at the recommended stars of the Enclos Paroissials – Lampaul-Guimiliau, Guimiliau, and St Thegonnec.
The Church of Notre Dame, Lampaul-Guimiliau, was built in the late 16C, (1573 is engraved over a doorway) and lost the top of its spire to lightning in 1809. There are interesting and beautiful details on the building.
The Ossuary dates to 1667.
There are two Calvaries – one on top of the Triumphal Arch, and the other (below) freestanding inside the enclosure.
The South Porch dates to 1553.
Inside the Church are remarkable sights.
There are beautiful details in the church, such as the 17C carved stalls in the choir, and the stained glass windows.
And the Retable of the Passion, the central part of which comes from Antwerp.
There were two extraordinary carvings in the church. The Entombment of Christ was carved in tuffeau, a soft, calcareous stone, by Antoine Chavagnac in 1676. He came from Clermont-Ferrand and was a Master Sculptor to the King. Cordoned off in a corner of the Church it is a startling piece which used to be housed in the Ossuary.
A Descent from the Cross was carved from a single block of oak and has been dated to 1520. I found the Christ painfully realistic.
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A visit to Lampaul-Guimiliau, with photographs
Lynn M.
Really nice photography! Saw the Church of Notre Dame, but from a distance. These pictures really bring the details of the structure closer. I love the stained glass windows as well. Thanks for sharing these, Candy! Lynn M.
Candy Blackham
Thank you! These churches are just spectacular, and quite often the camera allowed me to ‘see’ details which were not visible to the naked eye as the churches can also be quite gloomy.
Sue Vincent
Superb photographs of this trip, Candy. Thank you.
Candy Blackham
Thank you!
Sue Vincent
🙂