Calvaire de la chapelle de Lancerf
MonumentHidden Treasure
Calvaire de la chapelle de Lancerf, located in Ploubazlanec (Département 22), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Ploubazlanec, Département 22, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.8202, -3.0637
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00089462
Nestling in Brittany's Trégor region, this modest 18th-century calvary, perched on the gateway to the chapel of Lancerf, harbours an imperial secret: the remains of Napoleon III's heirs lie within its walls.
History
In the heart of the Paimpol region, on the Ploubazlanec peninsula bordered by the Trieux estuary, the chapel of Lancerf stands in a setting of Breton countryside where the sea breeze touches the lichen on the old stones. A rural chapel of humble appearance, it nevertheless conceals a historical and artistic density that far exceeds its modest silhouette. What immediately sets Lancerf apart is its small 18th-century calvary, soberly placed at the top of the arch of the south portal. Far from the monumental calvaries with their many figures that are the pride of Brittany - Guimiliau, Plougonven or Saint-Thégonnec - the one at Lancerf is imposing by its very restraint. Carved from the grey granite of the region, it stands in silent dialogue with the southern side porch and the composite architecture of the chapel, the result of several centuries of alterations. The cross, most likely from the former parish cemetery surrounding the building, has stood the test of time with elegant discretion. A visit to the chapel and its calvary brings to mind several time periods at once: the 16th-century founding period, the Baroque additions of the 17th century, the 19th-century restorations and, finally, the special atmosphere of a building that was, for a time, associated with the history of the French imperial family. Lancerf is said to contain the remains of a son and grandson of Napoleon III, giving this Breton place of worship an unexpected dynastic dimension. The surrounding scenery completes the enchantment. The Ploubazlanec peninsula, celebrated by Pierre Loti in Pêcheur d'Islande for its sailors' widows gazing out to sea, offers landscapes of striking melancholy. Reaching Lancerf along the sunken lanes and low shale walls that criss-cross the coastal bocage is a timeless walk, where every turn reveals a panorama of Paimpol Bay or the silhouettes of the island of Bréhat.
Architecture
The chapel at Lancerf has a composite architecture typical of rural Breton buildings that have undergone several centuries of transformation. Its layout is based around a single nave flanked by two small side chapels forming a transept with little projection, giving the whole a sober, compact Latin cross silhouette. A south side porch, typical of Breton religious architecture, protects the main doorway and forms a transitional space between the secular world and the sanctuary. The dominant material is local granite, a building stone used almost universally in this part of the Côtes-d'Armor region, whose slightly pinkish grey hues vary according to exposure and the degree of lichen cover. The stonework reveals the different phases of construction: the more regular courses in the older parts contrast with the more heterogeneous repeats dating from the 19th century. The long-sloped roof is covered in slate, another material emblematic of Breton architecture. The most remarkable architectural feature is the 18th-century calvary, judiciously positioned at the top of the arch of the south portal. Carved from granite in accordance with the canons of Breton popular sculpture of the period - clean lines, a stylised Christ of slender proportions - it contrasts with the sober moulding of the arch and the crown of the porch. This choice of enhancement, which transforms a funerary element into an architectural ornament, bears witness to the aesthetic sensibility of local master builders in the Age of Enlightenment.
Related Figures
Napoléon III — Empereur des Français, dont un fils et un petit-fils auraient été inhumés dans la chapellePie de Plourivo — communauté paroissiale historique à laquelle était rattachée la chapelle avant son transfert à PloubazlanecPierre Loti — romancier qui a immortalisé la presqu'île de Ploubazlanec dans Pêcheur d'Islande, donnant un écho littéraire à ce territoireArtisans maçons et tailleurs de pierre locaux du XVIIIe siècle — auteurs anonymes du calvaire
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Calvaire de la chapelle de Lancerf located?
Calvaire de la chapelle de Lancerf is located in Ploubazlanec, Département 22 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Calvaire de la chapelle de Lancerf built?
Calvaire de la chapelle de Lancerf dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Calvaire de la chapelle de Lancerf open to visitors?
Calvaire de la chapelle de Lancerf is currently closed to visitors.