The Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau

posted in: Brittany, France, Home | 1

I love the Church at Lampaul-Guimiliau, one of the Enclos Paroissiaux in western Brittany built with wealth created by growing flax and trading in canvas and linen in the 16C-18C.

The interior of the Church, the Glory Beam, the carvings on the sablieres, the Entombment, and the Descent from the Cross are some of the exquisitely beautiful creations inside this building, and as always there is a wonderful juxtaposition of religious icons with the vernacular – saints alongside dragons, animals, and ordinary people going about their business.

The interior of the Church at Lampaul-Guimiliau
The interior of the Church at Lampaul-Guimiliau
The organ in the Church at Lampaul-Guimiliau
The organ in the Church at Lampaul-Guimiliau
The crucifixion on the Glory Beam in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau
The crucifixion on the Glory Beam in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau

The crucifixion on the Glory Beam in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau

The Crossbeams in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau
The Crossbeams in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Baptistry is tucked away in a corner of the Church, an ornate structure with a granite, carved font. There are also beautiful wood carvings, unpainted, in the Choir.

The Baptistry in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau
The Baptistry in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Chavagnac’s Entombment of 1676 is a wonderful creation about which I wrote previously.

Chavagnac's Entombment in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau
Chavagnac’s Entombment in the Church of Lampaul-Guimiliau
The Virgin Mary & St John
The Virgin Mary & St John
Gamaliel (St Paul's teacher) &, I think, Joseph of Arimathea
Gamaliel (St Paul’s teacher) &, I think, Joseph of Arimathea
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene

The Descent from the Cross was carved in 15C/16C from oak, and I find this a very moving depiction.

The Descent from the Cross, Lampaul-Guimiliau

The Descent from the Cross, Lampaul-Guimiliau

Do not miss spending time in this Church if you are in Brittany.

  1. Heyjude

    Another spectacular church. So light. The Baptistry is so beautiful and I love all the colours found in this church. I’m not so keen on the chairs, but at least these don’t appear to be plastic.

I would love to hear from you!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.