The first castle at La Roche-Maurice was built in the 5C, and followed by another in the 11C, but this was demolished on the order of the King of France. There was also an early Chapel which has gone. The current Enclos Paroissial dates from the 16C. I have visited this site and photographed here before but this time the renovation of the Church was complete and the Enclos is stunning!
The Ossuary was built c.1640 as the St Anne Chapel. The Ankou reminds people of their mortality and the carvings around the frieze represent people from all walks of the social scale.
The Church of St Yves was built in the 17C by the Rohan Family on the site of an earlier Chapel also built by the Rohan family, who controlled nearby Landerneau, amongst other areas. It is named after a man born in Brittany, trained in law, and then drawn to the religious life. The interior of the Church is just a joy – a blaze of colour – breathtaking as you walk through the door.
The Rood Screen must be one of the most beautiful in Brittany, and above this is a wonderful Glory Beam.
The Sablieres present a wonderful rural and vernacular contrast to the religious icons in the building.
As always it is difficult to photograph the complex. The Ossuary, Church, and Triumphal Arch are close together and all built of dark granite.
Absolutely wonderful – a must-visit in this part of Brittany – and a site to which I plan to return before too long.
Candy Blackham
Thank you for visiting and I am pleased that you enjoyed the visit. Hmm, thank you too for the comments on the Gravatar; I have checked and I hope it is now correct
restlessjo
That ceiling is just gorgeous! Sorry it took me a while to get here, Candy. My Internet connection isn’t great but as well as that I find it hard to get back to your site from your comments on mine. The Gravatar gives lots of options but none seem to be current. Never mind! I followed the link on the walk you shared with me to get back here. 🙂 🙂