This was a special post on road warrior visit to an old friend from work in Guérande, (see posts) ,and while there visited the nearby coastal towns of Batz sur Mer. A wonderful coastal trip of my belle France just south of me in old Bretagne now in the Loire Atlantique dept 44 of the Pays de la Loire region. I found me older new pictures from my cd rom vault and they should be here for you and me, Therefore, let me tell you about the Church Saint Guénolé of Batz sur Mer !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Church Saint Guénolé was built in the 15-16C on the site of an older church dedicated to Saint Cyr and his mother Saint Julitte, which the monks of Landévennec placed under the protection of Saint Guénolé, the founder of their monastery and patron saint.This Flamboyant Gothic style church dates from the end of the 14C and the beginning of the 15C. The tower, 60 meters high, surmounted by a steeple surrounded by pinnacles, is more recent since it dates from 1677.


The Church Saint Guénolé houses statues, furniture, two 17C organs, paintings, canopies, stained glass windows, and two 17C doors, The interior surprises with the deviation of the choir, the mass of pillars supporting wide open Gothic arches and the wooden hull. In the background, on the wall, is a statue of Our Lady of the Precious Blood. A stained glass window on the right aisle celebrates the consecration of the monument in 1428.


A bit of history tell us that a story, said that the former “Isle de Batz”, then populated by Saxons, would have been evangelized and that baptism would have been given to its inhabitants by Saint Félix, bishop of Nantes in the 6C. Another story, appearing in the life of Saint Philibert by the Moine Ermentaire, suggests that around 840 there is in this place a Breton Christian community animated by a priest, probably with a place of worship. Redon’s cartulary does not deny this possibility. Around 950, Breton monks came to establish a priory on the island of Batz given by Duke Alain II Dit Barbe Torte, to Jean, abbot of Landevennec, undoubtedly in thanks for his diplomatic action with the Normans for get their withdrawal. The modest sanctuary dedicated to Saint Cyr and Saint Julitte was then put under the patronage of Saint Guénolé, in communion with the abbey-mother founded by the saint in Landevennec in the 5C. In the 13C, the monks had a new church built, of which there are vestiges in the current choir.

The Batz-sur-Mer tourist office on the church: https://en.ot-batzsurmer.fr/the-church-of-saint-guenole.html
The local La Baule Guérande tourist office on Batz sur Mer :https://en.labaule-guerande.com/discover-batz-sur-mer-itinerary.html
The Loire Atlantique dept 44 tourist office on Batz sur Mer: https://tourisme-loireatlantique.com/destinations/batz-sur-mer-spot-de-surf-et-de-balade-en-toutes-saisons/
There you go folks, another dandy in my beautiful old Bretagne, We found for a Sunday plenty of parking for free in town. In all, a short but pleasant trip; sea at its best, nice area we have been back ! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Church Saint Guénolé of Batz sur Mer !!! as I.
And remember happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!