Parish Closes

Out in the west, things get a bit wild at times. That's western Brittany, the department of Finistere (which is French for "Land's End".) There are a number of towns who sort of vied with one another to see who could set up the most elaborate Calvaire (Calvary: crucifiction scene) in their church yard. We drove out for a look at what the two most famous ones had come up with.

Saint Thégonnec

		The Church of Saint Thégonnec is solid local granite carved in the ornate Breton style
		Rather than a single large span, the interior space consists of two side-by-side longitudinal bays and four smaller ones on one side going prependicular to it
		The roof is supported by carved beams with themes that go way back. An enormous wooden baptistery stands just inside the door.
		Out in the enclosed church yard (the close) stands the Calvaire that made St. Thégonnec famous.
		The Calvaire has wonderful carved scenes all around it, such as these two of the presentation in the temple and the last supper.
		Part of the Church was being repaired, so their collection of carved wooden figures was on display in the small, separate chapel.
		The treasure of the church as well as a banner of the patron saint (in Breton) were also on display.

Guimiliau

		Guimiliau, a couple of kilometers from Saint Thégonnec, was a much more recent church, but built inside the ancient parish close.
		They have a Calvaire that wasn't quite as ornate as their neighbor's, but they make up for it with a wonderful fountain with Saint Peter at the top.
		The church itself is tall, with a wooden barrel vault. The windows are of a modern design, reminiscent of sunlight seen through leaves.
		The old funerary chapel, out in the close, has carved wooden beams with what looked like pre-Christian motifs.
		Nearby stands the old Governor's House.

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