The town of Douarnenez is located at the bottom of the Bay of Douarnenez, and is part historically of theCornouaille. For info it is only 120 km from my house, I was just there again for the memories of always now coming back with my sons and dog Rex, Many beautiful sights but we came up with the main ones me think, Therefore , let me tell you about the Chapelle Saint Jean !!! Do read my several posts on the town in my blog, Hope you enjoy the post as I.The beautiful wonderful Douarnenez in neighboring dept 29 of Finistére in my lovely Bretagne and in my belle France.
The Chapelle Saint Jean or St John Chapel in the district of Tréboul dates from the 18C, but with a re-use of a previous building dating from the 15C, especially for the windows. Its high altar in polychrome wood dates back to the 18C. It has ancient statues of polychrome wood of the Immaculate Conception, an angel of the Annunciation, two worshipping Angels, Saint John the Baptist, etc. It served as a parish church between 1841 and 1884. Its stained glass windows, set up between 1986 and 1988. A mutilated Calvary dating from the 17C is located at a nearby crossroads.
Located on the coastal path in the district of Tréboul-Goz, the small chapel is the place of devotion for local sailors. Of the Chapelle Saint Jean built in the 16C, only the bell tower remains from 1642. Nave, transept and apse were rebuilt from 1745 to 1747. The bell tower is entirely openwork, decorated with pinnacles, gables and hooks. The chapel was probably founded in the 13C.
The calvary dates from the 15C. On the square, the granite calvary is supported by three tiers. In 1925, Christ was replaced by an iron crucifix. At the top of the barrel is a Virgin Mother. The other side has a skull and two bones in a saltire. This calvary was partly destroyed during the French revolution. The transverse branch of the cross carried double statues, placed at the time of protection at the entrance to the cemetery.
The contemporary stained glass windows are the work of René Quéré, Douarnist painter, and from Quimper, Jean-Pierre Le Bihan, master glassmaker. They were made from 1986 to 1988. The seven stained glass windows represent Douarneniste sites such as the port of Tréboul, the baptism of Saint John the Baptist relocated in Port Rhu or scenes of local life such as the forgiveness of Saint Anne ,the Malaria in Plonévez-Porzay, the harvest, Breton festivals and games such as Breton wrestling called gouren. Near the sacristy, the statues of Saint Joseph, the Holy Virgin as well as the Black Madonna, dating from the 15C, have found their steles after a makeover.
Located below the chapel and the marine cemetery, you have plage Saint Jean beach , a picturesque place which is accessed by a small staircase. The walk is down a coastal path hilly and we did not tried it, However the beach waters are calm and pleasant, with a strip of sand with turquoise water , ideal for swimming.
A bust tribute to Max Jacob is located near the Chapelle Saint Jean (back of it) in a district of old Tréboul that Max Jacob loved. He went there regularly from 1929 and stayed at the nearby “Ty Mad” hotel. The sculptors Philippe Meffroy and Véronique Millour sculpted the 2 faces of Max Jacob in the kersanton stone: the young man with the bow tie, friend of Picasso, regular in the artistic circles of Montmartre and Montparnasse, and the mystical and more serious Max Jacob of the second part of his life.
The members of the Friends of the Saint John Chapel association in Tréboul have decided to open the doors of the building to passing visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 15h to 18h This Chapel has been closed for several years to the public , sadly I came in off hours and Tuesday.
The Douarnenez tourist office on the Chapelle Saint Jean : https://douarnenez-tourisme.com/decouvrir/patrimoine-et-culture/eglises-et-chapelles/chapelle-saint-jean/
The City of Douarnenez on the St John Chapel association : https://www.douarnenez.bzh/contacts/les-amis-de-la-chapelle-saint-jean/
The City of Douarnenez on its religious monuments: https://www.mairie-douarnenez.fr/decouvrir/histoire-et-patrimoine/religieux.html
There you go folks, a dandy coastal town with plenty to see, Douarnenez is hidden in a harbor off the beaten path trail but worth the detour me think . Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Chapelle Saint Jean as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 