Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Fosse

Guémené-sur-Scorff

In the heart of the small town of the princes of Guémené, the église Notre-Dame-de-la-Fosse is surprising for what it lacks: it has no bell tower. The Inventaire places it among the churches 'with a separate bell tower'. The campanile, a large square tower topped with a dome, stands some fifty metres to the north, on the height known as the montagne des Cloches; its construction was decided upon in 1761 by the church council, after the collapse of the old bell tower, in 1756 or 1757 according to the sources. The church itself is a single-nave granite building, rebuilt between 1820 and 1828 in place of the former collegiate church. This had been founded in 1529 by Marie de Rohan, widow of Louis IV de Rohan-Guémené, and by her son Louis V; the foundation was ratified the same year by the vicar general of Vannes. For lack of income, and abandoned by its lords, the chapter declined in the 18th century and was suppressed in 1790; the building fell into ruin. Guémené, long a mere trève of Locmalo, became a parish in 1802. Of the collegiate church, only the carved panels of the chapter stalls remain, remounted on the side altars. The name is given two explanations: the proximity of the château's moat, according to Wikipedia and fountain enthusiasts, and a Marian legend attached to the fontaine Notre-Dame-de-la-Fosse, on the rue de la Fontaine, which is dated to the 17th century.

Wikipédia — Guémené-sur-Scorff ↗

Getting there : Place de l'Église, in the centre of Guémené-sur-Scorff; the surroundings are open access. Opening hours to be checked. The campanile can be seen on the height to the north of the church; the fontaine Notre-Dame-de-la-Fosse is on the rue de la Fontaine (to be checked).

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

Ambient sound