Chapelle Notre-Dame de Port-Blanc

Penvénan

Half sunk into the rock of the picturesque site of Port-Blanc, the chapel of Notre-Dame de Port-Blanc occupies the site of a 13th-century watchtower, to which the foundations still bear witness. The present building, erected in the 16th century, is distinguished by its external stone staircase, its calvary and its cemetery enclosure overlooking the sea. Inside, a stained-glass window with maritime motifs and three model ships offered as ex-votos — a square-rigged three-master christened "ND de Port-Blanc" at the end of the 19th century, a three-master dedicated to Saint Yves, and a schooner from the early 20th century — bear witness to the devotion of sailors and their families to Our Lady. Every year, for the feast of the Nativity of Mary (8 September), a traditional procession still gathers children in sailor dress, accompanying the statues of the Virgin carried down to the harbour, where a wreath is laid in memory of sailors lost at sea and prayers are said for the protection of the fishermen — a practice that keeps alive the ancient bond between this sanctuary and the seafaring community of the Trégor. The external staircase was listed as a monument historique as early as 1936, followed by the whole ensemble (chapel, calvary, enclosure) in 1968. The site, much photographed, may be visited freely.

Getting there : free access, much-visited tourist site on the Penvénan coast

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound