Hanvec lies on a main road between Sizun and Le Faou and we had often driven through the village, but this time we lingered, parking in the square behind the Church in order to walk a circuit around the village.
We passed fields of mealies, grass meadows, and fields with mushrooms popping up everywhere, coming out at Kergadec on the edge of forests.
The path took us past Botcabeur with distant views of Hanvec and along the way a sign reminded us we were walking the Circuit du Plateau. We popped out on the main road at the Croix de Boudouguen of the 16C.
The Croix de Boudouguen (Croas-ar-Huré) of 1622 looks as though the two figures on either side of Christ are missing and here there is a reference to a figure commissioned from the workshop of Roland Doré
Once over the main road we walked along lanes again and into the countryside on a really beautiful section of this walk.
Just outside the town is an old Lavoir alongside the Fountain of St Madeleine. Perhaps this is where the missing statues from the Croas-ar-Huré are placed?
And then we were back in the village. In the Middle Ages the village was controlled by the Viscounts of Faou, who were followed by the Kerliver family between14C-18C. The Church belonged to the Abbey at Daoulas. The Church of St Pierre was rebuilt in the 19C and only the South Porch of 1625 belongs to the original 17C building. The Ossuary of 1653, also known as the Chapel of St John, belonged to the original church.
Urbain de Quelen is remembered on the Ossuary; his family owned the Manor of Kerliven and he was a ‘Pontifical Zouave’. I had never this term, but apparently this was a military force which defended the sovereignty of the Papal States against the reunification of Italy.
A most enjoyable walk in changing scenery – marvellous!
Maria Richardson
Very interesting! Found your blog whilst investigating Urbain de Quelen as we stopped in Hanvec a couple of days after yourself and I was intrigued by the term “zouave pontifical” too. Hope you continue to enjoy your travels around Brittany, it is a fascinating area to explore. I must start writing on my much neglected blog again soon!
Candy Blackham
Thank you! Yes, I love being in Brittany; there is so much to enjoy. I particularly love the parish enclosures, which are just amazing!