And here is terminus of my latest road warrior trips in my lovely Bretagne! This was my last stop on the trip back home, and it was another first time visit in my Brittany; the town of Lamballe. I have heard about it as one of my collegues now works there and he is from the area but never visited until now. Better late than never the old saying goes, and I was glad I did. Let me tell you a bit on the Collegiate Church Notre Dame of Lamballe !!!
The Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame de Lamballe (otherwise known as Notre-Dame-de-Grande-Puissance), built in 1202 ,this imposing church was the chapel of the castle of the Dukes of Penthièvre, whose county was created in 1023 for Eudon, youngest son of Geoffroy I, Duke of Brittany. It is located within the closed enclosure of the lordship fortification, This enlarged Romanesque church in the Gothic style has a Louis 14 organ case. It was added in 1741 to the rood screen donated by Marguerite de Clisson dating from 1415. The Collegiate Church bears witness to the town’s prestigious past. It lets you imagine what the ramparts and the castle of the Dukes of Penthièvre could be. Overlooking Lamballe, it offers an admirable view of the city.
This Notre Dame Church, fortified in the 14C, has the advantage of juxtaposing Romanesque, Radiant Gothic and Flamboyant Gothic elements. The fortifications are located at the bedside of the church and along the southern facade, the church was in fact integrated into the defense system of the castle of Lamballe now disappeared. This castle occupied the site of the park located north of the collegiate church. The first written traces mentioning Notre Dame only appear at the beginning of the 13C: Guy de Bretagne thanks to his marriage to Jeanne d’Avaugour, the construction of the church continues . The daughter Jeanne de Penthièvre, heiress of the County, married Charles de Blois in 1337. They continued the construction of the south side of the church , and raised the pillars supporting the tower. Upon the death of the Duke of Brittany Jean III of Brittany in 1341, Jeanne de Penthièvre and Jean IV de Montfort both claim the ducal crown, it is the beginning of the War of Succession of Brittany which will have important consequences on the architecture of Notre Dame. Charles de Blois reinforces the defenses of the castle, the Notre-Dame Church was integrated into it, After having been liberated by his army, the Duke orders the complete dismantling of the castle of Lamballe. This was completely destroyed in 1420 but Notre-Dame de Lamballe remained intact, including its fortified parts. Jean V took possession of Notre-Dame and created there, in 1437, a college of six canons, the church then became a collegiate.
The French revolutionary period brings its share of degradations inside the church, the statues and the organ are destroyed. Notre-Dame becomes Temple of Reason, Various works are also undertaken on the south side, where the exploitation of a quarry had weakened the rock on which the collegiate church rests. A retaining wall surmounted by battlements was built there during the second half of the 19C. A new sacristy was built in 1885, Very impressive church indeed !
This imposing Notre Dame Church was the chapel of the castle of the Dukes of Penthièvre, whose county was created in 1023 for Eudon, youngest son of Geoffroy I, Duke of Brittany. It is located within the closed enclosure of the lordship fortification, This enlarged Romanesque church in the Gothic style has a Louis 14 organ case. It was added in 1741 to the rood screen donated by Marguerite de Clisson dating from 1415. The Collegiate Church bears witness to the town’s prestigious past. It lets you imagine what the ramparts and the castle of the Dukes of Penthièvre could be.
The new town of Lamballe-Armor on the Collegiale Church Notre Dame de Grande Puissance: https://www.lamballe-armor.bzh/accueil-lamballe-armor/temps-libres/tourisme/en-ville-et-alentours/la-collegiale
The local Cap d’Erquy-Valandre tourist office on Collegiale Church Notre Dame de Grande Puissance: https://www.capderquy-valandre.com/en/plan-your-stay/must-dos/once-upon-a-time/collegiale-notre-dame-de-grande-puissance-1609594
There you go folks,I reach the end of this marveloius road warrior trip into my lovely Bretagne! Lamballe is another town we need to be back for more and all worth it me think. To add, it is very close to the beaches of Pléneuf Val André (see post) , for a one two wonderful combination. You will glad you visit the new Lamballe-Armor, still commonly call Lamballe. Again,hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 