Eglise Saint-Gildas
ChurchHidden Treasure
Eglise Saint-Gildas, located in Auray (Département 56), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Church
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Auray, Département 56, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.6673, -2.9861
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090993
Sober and majestic, the church of Saint-Gildas d'Auray boasts 17th-century Breton Baroque architecture, crowned by a remarkable altarpiece by Olivier Martinet, a jewel of Laval statuary.
History
In the heart of Auray, a Morbihan port town steeped in history and Catholic fervour, Saint-Gildas church stands out as one of the finest examples of 17th-century religious architecture in inland Brittany. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1995, it elegantly embodies that singular moment when Breton religious architecture opened up to the influences of the Counter-Reformation, combining local sobriety with Baroque impulses from the continent. What distinguishes Saint-Gildas from a simple parish church is above all the coherence of its ensemble. Designed in a single breath over several decades by architects from different regions - the Malouin architect Gilles Monsay, the Lavallois sculptor Olivier Martinet - it bears witness to a genuine artistic ambition on the part of the Auré community during the Grand Siècle. Its three gables, dating from 1636, and its bell tower, rebuilt in the 19th century, give it a silhouette that is both familiar and distinctive in the urban landscape. Inside, the main altarpiece, erected in 1657, immediately catches the eye: a sculpted composition of great mastery, where twisted columns, niches filled with saints and richly moulded entablatures unfold in a theatrical setting typical of provincial French Baroque. The light filtering through the side windows accentuates the relief of the sculptures and lends the nave a meditative, golden atmosphere. A visit to Saint-Gildas is also a visit to an area steeped in spirituality: Auray is the gateway to the pilgrimage of Sainte-Anne-d'Auray, one of the most important in France. The parish church is the urban echo of this, the place where the daily faith of the local people meets the great religious history of Brittany. It's a must-see for anyone interested in 17th-century French sacred art.
Architecture
Saint-Gildas church has a longitudinal plan typical of 17th-century Breton parish buildings, with a main nave, aisles and an oriented choir. The exterior facade, punctuated by its three gables dated 1636, displays a Breton sobriety: the local grey ashlar, cut with care, creates smooth elevations that are enlivened by moulded window surrounds and stone stringcourses highlighting the levels. The bell tower, rebuilt in 1832, has a discreet neo-classical profile that blends seamlessly with the rigour of the 17th century. Inside, the space unfolds in a beautiful unity of materials and proportions. The unplastered local stone gives the walls an austere, mineral presence that is tempered by the slightly lowered barrel vaults and the high windows that let in soft light. The liturgical furnishings make up most of the decorative interest: the altarpiece of the high altar (1657) by Olivier Martinet is the absolute centrepiece. Organised in two superimposed registers, it combines columns with Corinthian capitals, shell niches housing statues of saints, entablatures with sculpted metopes and a broken pediment at the top, all in finely chiselled stone. This iconographic and formal programme corresponds to the recommendations of the Council of Trent: to glorify God and instruct the faithful through images.
Related Figures
Gilles Monsay — architecte de Port-Louis, auteur des plans de l'église en 1623Olivier Martinet — architecte et sculpteur lavallois, créateur du retable du maître-autel (1657)Saint Gildas — moine breton du VIe siècle, évangélisateur de l'Armorique, saint patron de l'égliseLes marguilliers de la paroisse d'Auray — commanditaires et financeurs du chantier au XVIIe siècle
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Eglise Saint-Gildas located?
Eglise Saint-Gildas is located in Auray, Département 56 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Eglise Saint-Gildas built?
Eglise Saint-Gildas dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Eglise Saint-Gildas open to visitors?
Eglise Saint-Gildas is currently closed to visitors.