This is the former church of Saint-Guénolé (15th century), in ruins in the 18th century. The west tower, built in 1488, remains. In 1489, the year following its completion, Pope Innocent VIII, in a bull dated 11 November, erected Saint-Guénolé as a branch of Beuzec-Cap-Caval. It was united with Penmarch in 1802. The small chapel adjoining the tower dates from 1845. From the beginning of the 18th century, the church fell into ruin. Worship was banned from 23 April 1722.
The west facade of the church, a large square tower, is topped with stone sentry boxes adorned with Gothic bell towers that conceal its mass. The doorway is very similar to that of Saint-Nonna in Penmarc'h. The niche between the two doors is the same, as is the glass roof dominated by Our Lady of Pity with a ship carved on her dress. The two turrets on either side are decorated with warships, sailing ships and fishing boats above fish. On the east gable is a six-piece fess, the coat of arms of Tanguy du Chastel, stamped with a helmet and mantling. Saint-Guénolé was a trève of Beuzec-Cap-Caval, once an important parish and now a relief chapel of Plomeur. It was not until the Concordat of 1802 that this district became part of Penmarc'h. The church, whose walls can still be seen today, dates back to 1488. A bull issued by Innocent VIII in 1489 made the truce of Saint-Guénolé a branch church with a resident priest and submission to the mother church of Beuzec.
In 1845, the chapel was completely in ruins, and around 1938, a single cross marked its location. The south porch of the church of Saint-Guénolé still existed around 1860. It was remarkable for the finesse of its carvings. Mr du Chatellier bought it for a certain sum of money and used the best stones to build a chapel on his property at Kernuz, near Pont-l'Abbé.
Free guided tour on Thursdays at 10.30am from mid-June to mid-September.
The west facade of the church, a large square tower, is topped with stone sentry boxes adorned with Gothic bell towers that conceal its mass. The doorway is very similar to that of Saint-Nonna in Penmarc'h. The niche between the two doors is the same, as is the glass roof dominated by Our Lady of Pity with a ship carved on her dress. The two turrets on either side are decorated with warships, sailing ships and fishing boats above fish. On the east gable is a six-piece fess, the coat of arms of Tanguy du Chastel, stamped with a helmet and mantling. Saint-Guénolé was a trève of Beuzec-Cap-Caval, once an important parish and now a relief chapel of Plomeur. It was not until the Concordat of 1802 that this district became part of Penmarc'h. The church, whose walls can still be seen today, dates back to 1488. A bull issued by Innocent VIII in 1489 made the truce of Saint-Guénolé a branch church with a resident priest and submission to the mother church of Beuzec.
In 1845, the chapel was completely in ruins, and around 1938, a single cross marked its location. The south porch of the church of Saint-Guénolé still existed around 1860. It was remarkable for the finesse of its carvings. Mr du Chatellier bought it for a certain sum of money and used the best stones to build a chapel on his property at Kernuz, near Pont-l'Abbé.
Free guided tour on Thursdays at 10.30am from mid-June to mid-September.
