The Church of Guimiliau

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The Church of St Guimiliau, built in the 16C and 17C, is one of the major Parish Enclosures in Brittany and a ‘must-see’ if you visit Brittany. The Church is situated at the top end of the village of Guimiliau and we visited … Continued

Sunday Market at Daoulas

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The Sunday morning market at Daoulas is just what you expect from a country market – loads of good food as well as crafts and clothes. This is why I love self-catering – how else could I try all these … Continued

The Abbey of Le Releq

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The Abbey of Le Relecq was founded by Cistercian monks c.1132 in a small valley below the Monts d’Arrée. It was built on the foundations of the Abbey of Gerber, founded by St Pol in the 6C, and where the first Abbot was … Continued

Walking around Le Releq

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Wendy Mewes’ books about Brittany are wide-ranging, fascinating, and, in the case of the walks, very good indeed. Walk no.5 in Walking & other activities in Finistère is a wonderful walk of 11 km along green lanes, through small hamlets, and over open moorlands … Continued

Altar pieces & stained glass, Notre Dame de Lampaul-Guimiliau

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The altar pieces are lavish, to say the least. The central section of the Altar Piece of the Passion was created in Antwerp, and the bottom panel is the Last Supper. There are over 80 figures on this piece and the … Continued

Descent from the Cross, Notre Dame de Lampaul-Guimiliau

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The ‘Descent from the Cross’ was carved from a single block of oak in 1520. The group are the Virgin Mary, St John, and Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea, and a Holy Woman. I find this a very disturbing and … Continued

Chavagnac’s ‘Entombment’ in Notre Dame, Lampaul-Guimiliau

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The Church of Notre Dame in Lampaul-Guimiliau has wonderfully elaborate and colourful altar pieces and religious statues but it was the Entombment and Descent from the Cross which drew me closer. The Burial of Christ, 1676, was carved from tuffeau, … Continued

The carvings in the Church of Notre Dame, Lampaul-Guimiliau

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Isn’t this extraordinary? I walked around the outside of the building, lingering over carvings, and then I opened the door and I just wanted to be still and enjoy the beauty and the peace, and marvel.

The Parish Enclosure of Lampaul Guimiliau

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The Church of Notre Dame in Lampaul-Guimiliau is one of the famous Parish Enclosures in the Élorn River valley. It was built in the 16C, replacing an earlier building on the site, and was financed by the linen, flax, and cloth trade … Continued

Walk at Le Conquet

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Le Conquet, just up the coast from Pointe St Mathieu, and once a very prosperous town, is today a small fishing village on the Aber of Conq. It has a long history, often raided because of its position, and raised to the … Continued