Chapelle Sainte-Barbe

Ploéven

On a wooded slope on the borders of Ploéven and Cast, the chapelle Sainte-Barbe overlooks a valley where a substantial stream runs. About twenty metres long, built in granite and schist in the 16th century, it forms a tau shape: a panelled nave and two transept arms, added at the end of the 16th or the beginning of the 17th century; the floor is of packed earth and the tower leans noticeably. The chancel window retains a 16th-century stained-glass window devoted to the Crucifixion: Christ between the two thieves, Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross, angels leading souls towards heaven or towards hell. In front of the building, a calvary six metres high bears paired statues, the Virgin back-to-back with a bishop, Saint Barbara with Saint John, above a Pietà. The chapel was founded by the Le Gentil family, lords of the neighbouring manor of Barvédel, who held the pre-eminences there. A fountain dated 1713 and a sacristy of 1736, whose inscription names the priest and the rector, complete the ensemble. Saint Barbara is invoked here against lightning, thunder and sudden death; InfoBretagne places the great pardon on the first Sunday of July and a small pardon on the last Sunday of December. The date of the calvary remains disputed: Jean-Yves Cordier dates it to 1585–1588 on the basis of its inscriptions, while the Inventaire record places it in the 17th century.

Inventaire général — Chapelle Sainte-Barbe (Ploéven) ↗

Getting there : At the place called Sainte-Barbe, in Ploéven, beyond the hamlet of Barvédel. The «balade de Sainte-Barbe», a 7 km loop (about 2 h 20) from the Menez-Hom Atlantique tourist office, starts from the Kerhant crossroads on the road to Cast and passes by the chapel (to be checked). Surroundings freely accessible; whether the interior opens outside of pardons is not documented (to be checked).

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

Ambient sound