So just the name… most people even French won’t know about it. Bieuzy-Lanvaux is a village part of my town Pluvigner in the beautiful Morbihan dept 56 of my lovely Bretagne and in my belle France! One of the most off the beaten path areas you can find in France, but for the local Breton ,very historical. I like to tell you a bit more on it as only brief notes in my previous posts on the area. Hope you enjoy the story on Bieuzy Lanvaux!
A wonderful sunny day in my area and home , so again took advantage and took our little ride with the family as usual. I set out this morning into the country near me on the D16 road, at Bieuzy Lanvaux, there are a wonderful Church of Saint Bieuzy , small typical looking chapel like so many in Brittany. This one is high on a hill overlooking the Loch plateau, and better park at the bottom and walk up as the streets are very narrow and steep difficult for a turnaround.
Saint Bieuzy is also called Saint Bihui. The legend says that the Saint was struck in the skull with a knife because he did not want to interrupt his mass to cure of rabies the dogs of the Lord of Melrand. He wished to make a last visit to his friend Saint Gildas and made a stop at Bieuzy-Lanvaux. The Chapel is built in the memory of its passage. Built on a hillside, the Church overlook the village. The southern facade is from 1593, year where the Church has been modified. The western façade was transformed when the chapel became the parish church, annex.
On this occasion, a slightly protruding massif has been integrated as well in the Portal full arch dated 1838. On the back wall of the choir is arranged a table of the Holy Family. There are also two side niches of carved wood from the 17C, located in the choir. On the left the statue of Saint Bieuzy is presented on the right a throne to Madonna and Child. Several other statues are present in the Church: those of Sainte Brigid, Notre-Dame de Lourdes, Saint Joseph and Saint Theresa. A statue can intrigue the visitor: that of a Holy Knight dressed in a coat and holding a shield but no sword. It could be Saint Michel.
Last but not least , we went by the front of the Abbaye de Lanvaux, on the road D16 direction Locminé; this is private, but full of history. When the local rebels ,the Chouans, gathered here with General Cadoudal (of Auray) , waiting for the immigrant breton to arrive from England by Quiberon, this is where they camp out. Unfortunately the landing was discovered, and the link up never happened, instead many immigrants 795 were sentence to the firing squad, and today ,the remains are buried in the Chartreuse of Bre’ch.
A bit of history , on this abbey near the old Castle of Lanvaux and the fief of the Barony, the construction is set as in 1138!!! by the Abbot Ruaud and Cistercian monks, with the support of the baron Alain de Lanvaux who donated to the monks of Bégard of a Manor House on the right bank of the river Loch. In the 18C a Abbey House is built near the convent. It eventually installs a glassworks in 1824 and a smelter in 1827.
In 1824, was built at a small distance of the convent, a glassworks, which was replaced, three years later, by a foundry. The property of the convent and the neighboring properties has passed, then by various hands. But , the park and the forest of Lanvaux with 207 hectares and the forest of the abbey with 45 hectares remained the property of the State.
We past effortless thru the city center of Pluvigner as it is market day or jour du marché, and got some goodies as usual. Bieuzy Lanvaux is only about 6 km from our city on the D16 road. Hope you enjoy this small bit of history and off the beaten paths on the road warrior mode of my beautiful Morbihan.
There is more info on the above church in the city of Pluvigner webpage in French of course: http://www.pluvigner.fr/eglise-saint-bieuzy/
This is an area very much appreciated of walkers and bikers for its beautiful landscape, hilly roads, and just some interesting historical spots along the way. Again showing off my area lol!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
Leave a Reply