Chapelle Sainte-Tréphine

Pontivy

At the place called Sainte-Tréphine, in Pontivy, the chapel does not look like much: a small rectangular building, with no architectural ambition. Everything happens inside, beneath the panelled wooden vault painted in 1701, whose decoration extends over 11.50 metres in length and 8.25 in width. Medallion by medallion, it tells the life of Saint Tréphine: eight medallions according to the Monuments historiques record, nine scenes according to the old monograph taken up by InfoBretagne, which also dates the decoration to 1704. Around the scenes runs a decorative border in the taste of the 17th century, made up of cherubs, acanthus leaves, garlands of fruit and faux marble. The tie-beams, the only visible parts of the roof frame, are likewise painted on their lower face and their chamfers; the last one bears at its centre carvings dated 1623, older than the vault. The chapel was listed as a historic monument in 1968. Breton tradition makes Tréphine the daughter of Waroc'h, count of Vannes, and the wife of Conomor, count of Poher, who is said to have beheaded her; Saint Gildas is said to have brought her back to life, and she is said to have given birth to a son, Trémeur. Waroc'h and Conomor are figures of the 6th century, but the murder and the resurrection belong to hagiography, and the versions of the story diverge on the order of events.

Wikipédia — Chapelle Sainte-Tréphine de Pontivy ↗

Getting there : At the place called Sainte-Tréphine, in Pontivy. Surroundings freely accessible; the interior opens for the pardon and, according to Wikipedia, for exhibitions, with no published opening hours (to be checked).

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

Ambient sound