Brittany / Bretagne

The first wooden fort, that existed on an outcrop surrounded the Nançon river, was destroyed in 1166 by the armee of King Henry II of England (aka "Henry Curtmantle", "Henry Plantagenet"), who was as well Duke of Normandy. It got rebuilt much stronger fortified, but the times were politically difficult. The stronghold was taken by English mercenaries, retaken by French troops about 40 years later. By that time, it had lost iot militarey impoartance on the border between Normandy and Brittanny. Having impressive 13 towers, the Château de Fougères is one of Europe's largest medieval fortresses. Of course the castle has a website: www.chateau-fougeres.com/en.html

The abbey, dedicated to Saint Magloire of Dol, a Welsh monk who became Bishop of Dol-de-Bretagne (25 kms east) and ended his life on the island of Sark (~575). The abbey was founded on the banks of the river Rance in the 9th century with a strong support of Nominoë, the legendary first Duke of Brittany. In 910, the Vikings raid the area and loot and destroy the monastery. The monks had left already. They transferred the relics of Saint-Magloire to Paris, where they founded a new Abbaye Saint-Magloire. The monks returned and and started to rebuilt from 1008 on. The abbey flourished, but was dependent from the Abbaye de Marmoutier (Tours), what caused trouble with all bishops around. The convent had a long history, that ended when, in 1767, - the buildings were crumbling -, the last six monks left. The building were sold as "National Property" after the French Revolution and were used as a brewery for a while. Reconstruction started mid 19th century. The church, built around 1190-1210, now serves the parish.

The abbey, dedicated to Saint Magloire of Dol, a Welsh monk who became Bishop of Dol-de-Bretagne and ended his life on the island of Sark (~575). The abbey was founded in the 9th century with a strong support of Nominoë, the legendary first Duke of Brittany. In 910, the Vikings raid the area and loot and destroy the monastery. The monks had left already. They transferred the relics of Saint-Magloire to Paris, where they founded a new Abbaye Saint-Magloire. The monks returned and and started to rebuilt from 1008 on. The abbey flourished, but was dependent from the Abbaye de Marmoutier (Tours), what caused trouble with all bishops around. The convent had a long history, that ended when, in 1767, - the buildings were crumbling -, the last six monks left. The building were sold as "National Property" after the French Revolution and were used as a brewery for a while. Reconstruction started mid 19th century. The single nave church, built around 1190-1210, now serves the parish. The restaurators did a great job. Drawings from the mid 19th century show this building in ruins, after the roof had collapsed. Near the walls are many tombs and effigies. The baptismal font (13th c.) on the right came from the old parish church.

The abbey, dedicated to Saint Magloire of Dol, a Welsh monk who became Bishop of Dol-de-Bretagne and ended his life on the island of Sark (~575). The abbey was founded in the 9th century with a strong support of Nominoë, the legendary first Duke of Brittany. In 910, the Vikings raid the area and loot and destroy the monastery. The monks had left already. They transferred the relics of Saint-Magloire to Paris, where they founded a new Abbaye Saint-Magloire. The monks returned and and started to rebuilt from 1008 on. The abbey flourished, but was dependent from the Abbaye de Marmoutier (Tours), what caused trouble with all bishops around. The convent had a long history, that ended when, in 1767, - the buildings were crumbling -, the last six monks left. The building were sold as "National Property" after the French Revolution and were used as a brewery for a while. Reconstruction started mid 19th century. The single nave church, built around 1190-1210, now serves the parish. The nicely sculpted, monolithic baptismal font (13th c.) was used in the older parish church, before it was moved to the former abbey church after the renovation. The "green men" on the bottom may stand for the pagan gods.

The abbey, dedicated to Saint Magloire of Dol, a Welsh monk who became Bishop of Dol-de-Bretagne and ended his life on the island of Sark (~575). The abbey was founded in the 9th century with a strong support of Nominoë, the legendary first Duke of Brittany. In 910, the Vikings raid the area and loot and destroy the monastery. The monks had left already. They transferred the relics of Saint-Magloire to Paris, where they founded a new Abbaye Saint-Magloire. The monks returned to Léhon and started to rebuilt from 1008 on. The abbey flourished, but was dependent from the Abbaye de Marmoutier (Tours), what caused trouble with all bishops around. In 1767 the last six monks left. The crumbling buildings were sold after the French Revolution and the church now serves the parish. When the monks returned to Léhon, the obviously brought back some of the Saint Magloire´s bones, that can now be seen in the "tresor". Saint Magloire, born in Wales around 500, is one of the many "Breton Saints", particularly venerated in Brittany. Relics of these saints were important already in early times. Legend tells, that Nominoë, hunting in the area, met six welsh monks here. He promised to support them, if the could source the relics of a "Breton Saint". Saint Magloire had died on the island of Sark, where - in his old age - he had founded a convent with about 60 monks. In a dark and cold night the monks from Léhon sailed over to the island of Sark and with Divine assistance they stole the relics of Saint Magloire - and sailed back. As soon as the relics were on the continent miracles happened - and Nominoë soon after "signed the first cheque". A week later the monks in Conques got a congratulation postcard from Léhon, as they just had successfully stolen the relics of Sainte Foy. In those days "pious larceny" was very popular.

The abbey, dedicated to Saint Magloire of Dol, a Welsh monk who became Bishop of Dol-de-Bretagne and ended his life on the island of Sark (~575). The abbey was founded in the 9th century with a strong support of Nominoë, the legendary first Duke of Brittany. In 910, the Vikings raid the area and loot and destroy the monastery. The monks had left already. They transferred the relics of Saint-Magloire to Paris, where they founded a new Abbaye Saint-Magloire. The monks returned to Léhon and started to rebuilt from 1008 on. The abbey flourished, but was dependent from the Abbaye de Marmoutier (Tours), what caused trouble with all bishops around. In 1767 the last six monks left. The crumbling buildings were sold after the French Revolution and the church now serves the parish. Some of the formerly conventual buildings, around the old cloister, are used as the mayor´s office. The museum was closed, so the young lady, having a "Coquille Saint-Jacques" attached to her backpack, continued the long walk to Santiago de Compostela, about 1400 kms from Léhon. Ultreia!!

When Riwallon le Roux returned from the Holy Land to Dinan after the First Crusade, he immediately started to build this church in 1132. There is no proof about this, but the first written document from 1131 noted down, that Riwallon´s nephew Alain de Dinan transfers the ownership of this church to the Abbey of Saint-Jacut (20kms north). Following this, the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur was part of a priory, dependent from the abbey. The western facade and the right wall of the Basilique Saint-Sauveur, seen here, still date back to the 12th century. The large window is of course newer.

When Riwallon le Roux returned from the Holy Land to Dinan after the First Crusade, he immediately started to build this church in 1132. There is no proof about this, but the first written document from 1131 noted down, that Riwallon´s nephew Alain de Dinan transfers the ownership of this church to the Abbey of Saint-Jacut (20kms north). Following this, the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur was part of a priory, dependent from the abbey. The facade of the Basilique Saint-Sauveur, seen here, dates back to the 12th century. The white central tympanum is new, all other carvings are Romanesque and very weathered.

When Riwallon le Roux returned from the Holy Land to Dinan after the First Crusade, he immediately started to build this church in 1132. There is no proof about this, but the first written document from 1131 noted down, that Riwallon´s nephew Alain de Dinan transfers the ownership of this church to the Abbey of Saint-Jacut (20kms north). Following this, the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur was part of a priory, dependent from the abbey. The facade of the Basilique Saint-Sauveur dates back to the 12th century. Most carvings are very weathered. Here is a Luxuria.

When Riwallon le Roux returned from the Holy Land to Dinan after the First Crusade, he immediately started to build this church in 1132. There is no proof about this, but the first written document from 1131 noted down, that Riwallon´s nephew Alain de Dinan transfers the ownership of this church to the Abbey of Saint-Jacut (20kms north). Following this, the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur was part of a priory, dependent from the abbey. The facade of the Basilique Saint-Sauveur dates back to the 12th century. Most carvings are very weathered. Here a bearded rambler (either a pilgrim, or a warrior with a club) is attacked by an evil griffin.

When Riwallon le Roux returned from the Holy Land to Dinan after the First Crusade, he immediately started to build this church in 1132. There is no proof about this, but the first written document from 1131 noted down, that Riwallon´s nephew Alain de Dinan transfers the ownership of this church to the Abbey of Saint-Jacut (20kms north). Following this, the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur was part of a priory, dependent from the abbey. The facade of the Basilique Saint-Sauveur dates back to the 12th century. Most carvings are very weathered. Here are capitals, populated by mystic creatures. From left to right: Large,worm-like chimeras hold a small (horned) devil , a lion (?), a deer (weathered antler) and a very well fed mermaid.

When Riwallon le Roux returned from the Holy Land to Dinan after the First Crusade, he immediately started to build this church in 1132. There is no proof about this, but the first written document from 1131 noted down, that Riwallon´s nephew Alain de Dinan transfers the ownership of this church to the Abbey of Saint-Jacut (20kms north). Following this, the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur was part of a priory, dependent from the abbey. There are only two Romanesque capitals in the basilica, they are near the facade - and probably date back to the first church. When Riwallon le Roux returned to Dinan from the First Crusade, he may have told the sculptor, how camels look like. Between the camels is a "Fleur-de-Lys".

Hédé´s parsih church dates back to the end of the 11th century. It was part of a Benedictian priory dependent from the the Abbey Saint-Melaine in Rennes. From the posted bill, I learned, that Hédé (pop. 2000) is known for the sucessful "Bonus le Festival du Théâtre de Poche". theatre-de-poche.com/bonus Unfortunately I could not wait, so I missed "CHICKS FOR MONEY AND NOTHING FOR FREE".

Early morning in Gahard, but fortunately the parish church Saint-Exupère was opened already. The church, that already exists here since the 10th century, was part of a priory in medieval times. After the French Revolution an iron tricolore was placed on the roof.

Early morning in Gahard. Fortunately the parish church Saint-Exupère was opened already. The church, that already exists here since the 10th century, was part of a priory in medieval times. The nave is probably the oldest part of the structure. The floor is covered with old grave slabs.

The parish church Saint-Exupère exists here since the 10th century, when it was part of a priory. The nave is probably the oldest part of the structure. The statute of Sainte-BArbe is some centuries younger. Sainte-Barbe (Barbe la grande martyre), patron saint of gunsmiths, miners and anyone, who worked with explosives. She is invoked as well against thunder and lightning.

The parish church Saint-Exupère exists here since the 10th century, when it was part of a priory. The nave is probably the oldest part of the structure, as old as this stoup. The holy water is guarded by a stoic man´s cold face.

Combourg has an excellent restaurant. Here is "Millefeuille de chair de crabe, Espuma de Saumon fumé...". Cuisine française! www.hotel-combourg.com/?lang=en