The Chapel of Notre-Dame de Lorette in Coat-Nant (‘wooded valley with a stream’), Irvillac, is hidden in a valley with a sawmill as a neighbour. The road is narrow and winding, but this was once the old road between Quimper and Landerneau! Sadly, the Chapel was closed on both my visits.
The monk’s statue is by the Le Prigent studio in Landerneau where Bastien and Henry Prigent worked from 1522-77. This was an important workshop, commissioned for many of the major parish enclosures, and points to the significance of this Chapel. One of the sculptors was a man called Fayet, who was apparently known for carvings where with tears on their faces – could he be responsible for the pièta at Sizun, where St John wipes away tears on his cheek?
The Calvary of 1644 is curious, with carvings by Roland Doré surmounting a monumental fountain. He was an important sculptor and again this points to the significance, and wealth, of this Chapel. The statues on the fountain seem to be the work of another workshop, judging by style.
A fascinating, hidden Chapel.
Further information
The history of the Chapel
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