Again, hanging around my neighborhood of small towns near me this is another gem in the off the beaten path of my beautiful Morbihan. It is great pleasure to tell you about this little known places that offer a nice half day tour of wonderful historical monuments and beautiful architecture. Hope you enjoy my bit of introduction to the Church of Saint-Laurent and Saint-Aubin in Brandivy!
First, Brandivy is the French name, for the Breton name it is Bredeui. Just over 1000 inhabitants ! Early Breton came here at about the 6C and impose their language. On an unknown date, they raise over a hill looking down at the river Loc’h, a chapel in honor of Saint Ivy or Divy, a monk and Breton Deacon who came from Armoric (what is today England/Wales/Scotland area) in about 686. Therefore, the place took the name of Bré-Yvy or Bré-Divy (meaning hill of Ivy), today Brandivy.
Brandivy is a town dominating the valley of the Loc’h. It is a historical place very near me. The barony of Lanvaux, whose castle fortress was on the banks of the étang de la Forêt or pond of the forest, was one of the oldest in Bretagne. The Lords of Lanvaux sat in the States General of Brittany (old parliament). The barony was ceded by Duke Jean IV in 1383 to the Collegiate Church of Saint-Michel of Brech , except the ruins of the castle, the park, the forest and the pond of the forest, which the Duke of Brittany reserved. In 1464, this part was given by Duke François II to André de Laval, Lord of Lohéac, Marshal of France, who resumed the title of Baron de Lanvaux. Louis II of Rohan-Guémené, Lord of Guémené, made the same in 1485, as well as his successors Louis IV in 1508 and Louis V in 1527, who, along with his heirs, neglected this title thereafter.
The Church of Saint-Laurent and Saint-Aubin ,15-18C, destroyed by fire in 1728 and rebuilt in 1732. At the French revolution, the Church inherited a bell and stalls from the Abbey of Lanvaux. This church gave way in 1884 to a new Church completed in 1885. The stained glass windows date from 1886. The Church houses the statues of the Virgin (trampling the serpent of evil), Saint Laurent and Saint Aubin. There is a commemorative plaque of Abbé Ruaud dates from 1888, first Abbot of the Abbey of Lanvaux in 1138 and Bishop of Vannes in 1144. The Calvary dominated before the cemetery placed around the Church. The basement dates from the 15C, the granite cross of the 19C. You will see characters of all Cavalries such as the Virgin (left) and St John (right) in imposing size at the foot of Christ on the Cross.
You go down a very steep ravine on the side of the river Loc’h to visit the Chapel of Saint Laurent, built early in the 16C; a bit further and you come to the cave of Notre Dame de Lourdes, recently done in 1998! the newest of chapel in all the region. In 1912, a tall cross was put in indented part of the rocks, sort like a cave, and from them a great piligrimage is happening as the rocks looks similar to those at Lourdes. It has a huge wooden crucifixtion cross.
The town of Brandivy on its history and heritage: https://www.brandivy.fr/histoire-patrimoine-c1.html
There you go folks, another off the beaten path site in my beautiful Morbihan near me and always plenty to do and see around my neck of the woods. Hope you enjoy the heritage abound in nice Brandivy.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 