Friday 2 July 2010

Cliffhanger

Yesterday, we saw a rather elaborate well in the centre of Bieuzy-les-Eaux. It's just across from the equally elaborate church, built in 1560 with later additions.

However, the real religious heart of the area is surely the extraordinary chapel a little way outside the village, beside the River Blavet. On this spot, Saint Gildas (who had moved from Britain to found a monastery in Brittany) lived as a hermit. He preached from a stone near the river, and resided in a cave in the rock behind. That rock now forms the back wall and part of the roof of a chapel bearing his name. His follower Bieuzy, who lived in and preached from the same spot, is of course remembered in the village name and church.


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