So let me bring you again to an off the beaten path area of my lovely Bretagne, this time in nice neighboring Finistére dept 29 and the quant town of La Fôret Fouesnant! and the Church of Notre Dame of Izel-Vor! Hope you enjoy the tour!
It is like our backyard trip, and we were there this past weekend again. Always looking forward to Summer times. We decided to go out and see some other parts that we have not been or just passing by. This one we passed near but not been so it was a lovely trip and already use to the beauty we have all around us. Let me tell you about the Church of Notre Dame of the Lower Sea or église Notre Dame d’Izel Vor (with Izel Vor been Breton for lower sea or basse mer in French) , and this is at lovely La Forêt Fouesnant!
When we passed by before but when tried to came in it was under total renovation so could not get in , however seen pictures of the inside and it is awesome worth the wait to be back inside when possible.
This church was built largely during the first half of the 16C, is dedicated to Notre Dame or Our Lady of Izel-Vor (Lower Sea). It is of a typical Gothic style in Cornouaille. The carved dates on the walls can be found: 1538 under the porch, 1628 above the baptistery. The interior of the church (not seen as was under renovation) is said to be remarkable for the richness of its furniture such as the baptismal fonts in granite and wood, the painting of the Rosary 1684, the high altar 1694 and its altarpiece 17C, which are from the 17C. Polychrome statues of local saints complete the decoration . Its Calvary built in 1500. square enclosure serving as pulpit. At the corners; 4 Gothic bells bearing a decapitated Mary and John. The central cask blossoms into consoles bearing the two lardons. Served as a pulpit on busy days; which assumes that the forecourt was then much larger than it is today.
There is a statue of Our Lady of Kergornec, also known as the Statue of the Breastfeeding Virgin, which dates from the late 17C. This statue probably comes from the ancient priory of Loc-Amand. Statue of Itron Varia Izel-Vor Breton for Our Lady of Lower Sea, which also dates from the late 17C. A Pietà of the 18C. Other statues of Saints such as Santik-Du, St. John the Baptist, St. Egarec, St. Nicholas, St. Abibon, St. Alain, St. Amand, St. Guénolé, and St. Margaret. Procession Banners such as the Banner Itron Varia Izel-Vor (Our Lady of Lower Sea). Banner Itron Varia ar Penity (Our Lady of Penity). Banner of Ste. Anne, and Banner of Saint Teresa.
Some webpages to help you plan your trip here are:
The La Fôret Fouesnant tourist office on the church: https://www.foret-fouesnant-tourisme.com/notre-destination/a-decouvrir/eglise-dame-izel-vor/
The Finistére dept 29 tourist board on the Finistére Riviera of which La Fôret Fouesnant is part of on its things to see: http://www.finisterebrittany.com/finistere-riviera
The South Finistére dept 29 tourist board on La Fôret Fouesnant heritage: http://www.finisteresud.com/429-visites-finistere-sud-foret-fouesnant.html
There you go a lovely trip , nice monument (to be back for it) and lovely town by the ocean. You will do well to come here to the Finistére Riviera !. For now enjoy the Church of Notre Dame of the Lower Sea in La Forêt Fouesnant!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
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