Chapelle Saint-Barthélemy et le pas de saint Martin

Iffendic

At the place called Saint-Barthélemy, away from the village of Iffendic, an unpretentious chapel, a single hall of schist rubble under a hipped slate roof, with a small spire and a flat east end, perpetuates a much older sanctuary. It is said to have been founded by the lords of Montfort at the time when they resided at Boutavent, in 1152 or 1153 depending on the source; InfoBretagne recalls that in 1682 the regular canons of Montfort still held «the chapel and bailiwick of Saint-Barthélemy du Pré-à-l'Aoust». Later abandoned by the clergy, it is said, and maintained by the inhabitants, the original chapel has disappeared: it was replaced in 1833 by the present building, which the Inventaire général describes as in poor condition. Pilgrims came here to invoke the apostle Bartholomew and, alongside him, Saint Martin of Tours, whose legend was very popular in Iffendic, perhaps in memory of the monks of Marmoutier. On nearby rocks, visitors are shown «the footprint of Saint Martin»: according to tradition, the bishop of Tours, passing through the region, left the imprint of his foot there, and pilgrimages set out from the chapel towards this stone. The sources do not agree on the detail, a single stone for Wikipedia, two rocks for InfoBretagne, and neither locates the footprint precisely in relation to the chapel.

Wikipédia — Chapelle Saint-Barthélémy d'Iffendic ↗

Getting there : At the place called Saint-Barthélemy, outside the village of Iffendic. The chapel is public property; the surroundings are accessible, and whether the interior opens is not documented (to be checked). The exact location of the rocks bearing the footprint of Saint Martin is not specified by the sources (to be checked).

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

Ambient sound