Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, ou de Kerkonan, et croix
MonumentHidden Treasure
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, ou de Kerkonan, et croix, located in Trébeurden (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
- Trébeurden, Département 22, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.7739, -3.5762
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00089670
Nestling in the Trébeurdinois bocage, this 17th-century chapel combines a bell tower with a pointed dome and a monumental cross with a sculpted Christ, a discreet jewel of Breton maritime devotion.
History
In the heart of the commune of Trébeurden, on the Pink Granite Coast, the chapel of Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle - also known as the chapel of Kerkonan - embodies with touching sobriety the popular piety of coastal Brittany in the 17th century. Modest in size, it is no less remarkable for the quality of its architecture and the coherence of its ensemble, which combines the main building, a private chapel and a sculpted cross to form an indissociable whole. What immediately sets this monument apart is the uniqueness of its western bell tower. Erected on a moulded plinth and framed by two piers with balustraded outer faces, it supports a rectangular stone on which rises a second storey crowned by a pointed dome, itself topped by a rooster - a symbolic weathervane announcing both Christian vigilance and the direction of the sea winds, so precious to local sailors. This feature, halfway between a bell tower and a lantern, is a rare architectural signature in the region. Opposite the chapel, a stone cross bearing a Christ in relief and a Virgin on a pedestal forms a sober but moving calvary, reminding us of the fundamental role played by these buildings in the religious and community life of Breton villages. These crosses at crossroads or forgiveness points were gathering points for processions, prayers for sailors at sea and local ceremonies. Visiting them is an intimate and contemplative experience. Far from the mass tourism that sometimes takes over the great Breton chapels, Kerkonan offers a moment of authentic calm. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the play of light on the pinkish-grey granite, while fans of the region's religious architecture will appreciate the sculpted details of the bell tower. The hedged farmland and proximity to the coast add a remarkable landscape dimension to the visit.
Architecture
The building has a simple rectangular plan, typical of Breton rural chapels of the 17th century, with a private chapel attached to the north side. This asymmetrical L-shaped configuration, common in foundations with seigniorial patronage, slightly breaks up the regularity of the volume while enriching the interior space. The walls are made of local granite, a material that is ubiquitous in the Trégor region, giving the building its bluish grey hue. The most remarkable architectural feature is the bell-wall that crowns the western gable. Set on a moulded plinth, it is framed by two pillars with baluster-like sculpted exteriors - a surprisingly classical motif in a rural setting - which support a rectangular stone slab forming a lintel. On this foundation rises a second, smaller storey, topped by a pointed dome finished with a metal cockerel. This vertical organisation in two registers, combining classical vocabulary and picturesque silhouette, illustrates the way in which Breton craftsmen in the 17th century assimilated and reinterpreted architectural influences from the continent. Facing the main façade, the Calvary Cross completes the monumental ensemble. Standing on a stone pedestal, it features a Christ sculpted in relief on the main face and a representation of the Virgin Mary, an iconography common to Breton calvaries of the period. The sobriety of the whole contrasts with the profusion of carvings on the large parish enclosures in Finistère, reflecting the more discreet aesthetic typical of the Trégorrois region.
Related Figures
Famille seigneuriale de Kerkonan — commanditaire présumée de la chapelle privative au nord de l'édifice au XVIIe siècleRecteur de Trébeurden (XVIIe siècle) — figure ecclésiastique ayant vraisemblablement supervisé la construction et la dédicace de la chapelleParoissiens et marins de Trébeurden — dévotion collective à Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, animateurs des pardons locauxInspecteur des Monuments Historiques (1952) — signataire de l'arrêté d'inscription protégeant le monument pour la première fois
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, ou de Kerkonan, et croix located?
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, ou de Kerkonan, et croix is located in Trébeurden, Département 22 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, ou de Kerkonan, et croix built?
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, ou de Kerkonan, et croix dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, ou de Kerkonan, et croix open to visitors?
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Bonne-Nouvelle, ou de Kerkonan, et croix is currently closed to visitors.