Exploring with my camera
As people push open the door of the church and step inside there is usually a murmur, or an ‘Aah’. After the dark exterior even the dim light inside cannot hide the extravagant colours, exuberant altar pieces, and extraordinary ceilings.
Notre Dame in Lampaul-Guimiliau is one of the extraordinary Parish Enclosures in Brittany.
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.
Lampaul-Guimiliau and Guimiliau are home to two of the most iconic of the Enclos Paroissiaux and it seemed a good idea to undertake a ‘pilgrimage’ between the two.
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
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
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
Days 7 and 8 in France passed in a haze of antibiotics and painkillers, but on Day 10, stuffed with medication, I pulled myself out of bed for some gentle exploration and we set off to look at the recommended stars … Continued