The Church of Argol, The Church of St Pierre and St Paul, started building in 1575, with additions and reconstructions over the next nearly three centuries. This was only a brief visit which whetted my appetite to return again, alone, with the camera and lots of time to investigate the details of the building.
The Triumphal Arch of 1659 has a statue of King Gradlon, a 5C King of Brittany, who also stands on top of the Cathedral at Quimper, and in the town’s Fine Arts Museum. King Gradlon was associated with the legendary City of Ys and one story tells that his daughter, Dahut, died here in Argol which apparently means ‘in danger of dying’ in Breton. However, this is only one of many stories and the King is mainly associated with Douarnenez.
The Church of St Pierre and St Paul is one of the Parish Enclosures and the only one on the Crozon Peninsula. The Church is surrounded by a walled graveyard, entered through the Triumphal Arch, and inside the walls is an Ossuary. There is also a Calvary which sadly escaped the camera on this occasion.
Inside the church is quite plain, but there are interesting paintings on the walls, and the stained glass is colourful. St Genevieve was a Patron of the church, but I am not sure of her background. St Barbe helps those who appeal to her when in danger of death, particularly from lightning. St Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal, was an extraordinary woman and perhaps it is rather strange to find her remembered here in Brittany?
The font is rather beautiful, and without a surrounding canopy or barrier.
I need to return and spend more time in this building – I seem to say that very often!
Further information
Old photographs of the Church
Wendy Mewes: Legends of Brittany – a must-read book if you visit Brittany
The Legend of the City of Ys
King Gradlon, Ys, and Quimper
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