Chapel of Sainte Barbe du Faouët

Oil on canvas, signed on the back of the stretcher.

The Chapelle Sainte Barbe is located in a steep spot in the Faouët countryside above the River Éllé, and has a very special history. At the end of the 15th century, the youngest lord of Locmalo, Jean de Toulbodou, left his manor house at Guidfoss in Plouray to go hunting. While on the lands of Jean de Boutteville, lord of Le Faouët, he was surprised by a storm of rare violence. The gigantic rocks surrounding him were struck by lightning. Sections of rock detach from the vertical wall. Overcome by extreme fear, Jean de Toulbodou saw his end approaching and prayed to Saint Barbara, usually invoked to protect him from fire and lightning. If she saves him, he promises to build her a chapel here. The storm suddenly ended, and Jean de Toulbodou was granted his wish. True to his promise, he began construction of the chapel on July 6, 1489, on this very cramped site.

If you're not familiar with it, we recommend a visit to this incredible site, where more than five hundred years have passed.