Hauts LieuxChapels, sanctuaries & legends

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Chapelle Sainte-Nonne

Dirinon

Dimensions
Small rectangular granite building topped with a domed bell-turret, built in 1577. It houses the tomb (recumbent effigy) of Saint Nonne, carved in the 16th century: the saint is shown lying down, a book in her hands, her head resting on a cushion held up by angels and her feet crushing a dragon; the base of the tomb bears statues of the twelve apostles and the coats of arms of the donor families.
Period
Chapel built in 1577; recumbent effigy of the 16th century; neighbouring fountain dated 1623 (cult attested since at least the 15th century, legend placing the original hermitage in the 6th century)
What stands there
For several generations, children who were slow to walk were brought before the saint's tomb in the hope of a cure — a practice attested locally into the 20th century.

According to tradition, at the end of the 6th century the Welsh princess Nonne (Saint Non) — mother of the future Saint David, patron of Wales — fled her country to escape the violence of the prince Xanthus. She is said to have taken refuge beneath the oaks of the forest of Talarmon, founding a hermitage there: the place, Diri-Nonn ("Nonne's oaks"), gave its name to the commune of Dirinon. This legend, handed down by word of mouth, crystallised around stones and a spring that local tradition associates with ancient practices predating Christianity. The cult took tangible form in the 15th century, when the seigneurial family of Lezuzan paid for a carved tomb bearing the saint's effigy: lying down, a book in her hand, her head supported by angels, her feet on a vanquished dragon, symbol of the victory of good. The present chapel, built in 1577 to house this effigy, completes a devotional ensemble comprising several fountains and sacred rocks, including the "stone of Sainte-Nonne", hollowed with cup-marks where pilgrims came to seek healing. For a long time, children slow to walk were brought here in the hope of a miracle. An annual pardon (the Breton pilgrimage festival) perpetuates this devotion. Deconsecrated, the chapel today houses the museum of old Dirinon, keeper of a memory at once legendary and meticulously documented by local historians.

Further reading

Getting there : Free access to the surroundings; the chapel now houses the museum of old Dirinon (variable opening hours, enquire at the town hall)

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

See it on the map OpenStreetMap Directions

Ambient sound

Chapelle Sainte-Nonne
GO69 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Nearby

This place in the great stories

In the same department

All places — Finistère (54).