Our heritage Sundays: the chapel of La Ferrière in Pluméliau-Bieuzy, the dove and the hazelnuts
Through Writing Morbihan
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That Chapel well maintained countryside Pluméliau Bieuzy (Morbihan) is famous for his son sorry very popular and worth for its nicely decorated interior.
A double patronage
The chapel is located 6 km north-east of Pluméliau, in the hamlet of La Ferrière which dates back to the 16e and still has some pretty period houses. The chapel has a double patronage, on the one hand Our Lady of Ferrierewith reference to the place, and, on the other hand to Saint-Eutropemartyr and 1uh bishop of Saintes in the IVe and who is invoked for edemas and by cripples. There are two fountains near the building, one dating from 1683 is dedicated to Notre-Dame and the other from 1727 to Saint Eutrope.
During the pardon on the last Sunday of August, the procession circles the fountains before mass. Afterwards, we can witness a descent of the pyrophoric dove. Carried on a rope, a dove statue descends from the steeple to light the bonfire of forgiveness. This tradition is rare in Brittany, especially since it is usually an angel, said to be of the Holy Spirit, who is used. This very popular forgiveness is called “hazelnut forgiveness” because it takes place at the beginning of the picking of this fruit. If this one is prolific, a saying goes: “year of hazelnuts, year of marriages”.
A simple chapel
The chapel dates from the end of the 15th or the beginning of the 16the and is in the shape of an elongated rectangle. It was a member of the influential Kernevo family who financed the construction. The coat of arms with three shells held by an angel surmounts the large and beautiful south door of Gothic inspiration. This is made of gray-green schist and has no architectural separation between the choir and the nave. The wrought iron choir fence was added in the 19th century.
The neoclassical style porch tower is made of granite and dates from the beginning of the 19th century, probably replacing a smaller one. This was struck by lightning in 2010, causing a partial restoration of the chapel. As for the sacristy upstairs, it was added to the north of the building in 1703. It is accessed from inside the chapel by a spiral staircase built into the wall. Finally, a large-scale restoration took place in 1879, in particular at the level of the frame and the replacement of the paneling by a plaster vault.
A beautiful interior.
With all the openings to the south, the interior is very bright and highlights the furniture well maintained by the local association which organizes the pardon. The original paving and the white and blue tones which accentuate the brightness of the nave. In the background on the left is, delimited by the same fence as the choir, a pretty altarpiece in the center of a niche. This is to the glory of Saint Eutrope represented in its center surrounded by Saint Cornely, patron saint of horned beasts and Saint Armel reported for rheumatism or by young girls wishing to marry.
Finally, in front of a beautiful glass roof, is the slightly raised choir of the chapel, whose stained glass illustrates the presentation of Jesus in the Temple by his parents. In front, the tuffeau altar is in the classic shape of a curved tomb. The niche on the left hosts a Virgin and Child accompanied by Saint Leon.
We notice a large statue of Sainte-Barbe near the altar and other statues scattered around (Sainte-Marguerite and the processional statues of the Virgin and Saint Eutrope).
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