The calvary and bell tower of the Pleyben parish enclosure

A jewel of Breton religious heritage!

Pleyben parish enclosure

With its monumental calvary, the most massive in Brittany, Pleyben's parish enclosure is a treasure trove of heritage and a must-see!

Finistère heritage treasures

Pleyben parish enclosure

One of 7 monumental calvaries in Brittany

One of Finistère's heritage treasures, Pleyben boasts one of Brittany's 7 monumental calvaries in its parish enclosure. As majestic as it is rich, it is one of Brittany's historical sites and monuments of the Menez-Hom Atlantique region!

Pleyben parish enclosure - one of the candidates for Brittany's UNESCO label - Menez-Hom Atlantique
©Le Saint Photographie

A heritage gem

The Pleyben enclosure

One of UNESCO's candidates

Impressive in its grandeur and wealth, the parish enclosure of Pleyben is a candidate for UNESCO classification. The church, the enclosure and above all its monumental calvary bear witness to the piety and wealth of the people of Pleyben between the 16th and 17th centuries, when buckwheat, the main crop in Finistère at the time, was exempt from taxes.

The parish enclosure

Typical of Breton religious architecture, a parish enclosure brings together several elements within a surrounding wall: a church, a calvary, a chapel, an ossuary, a cemetery, a triumphal gate and a fountain.

to see in pleyben

The monumental calvary

Like a book of stone

When you arrive at the site, it's the monumental calvary that will impress you with its size, richness and detail. One of 7 monumental calvaries in Brittany, it is the most massive in the region. Built in 1555, it was moved to its present location in 1738, and raised at the same time.

This calvary is like a book of stones: it depicts 30 scenes from the life of Jesus, the work of several artists including Brest-based Julien Ozanne. Some of the scenes are in kersantite, a local magmatic rock taken from the Brest harbor, which has the particularity of air-drying. Pleyben town hall offers you a beautiful video tour of these different scenes.

Illuminating the Calvary

Every two years, "Les Calvaires s'illuminent" illuminates the Pleyben calvary at nightfall for a few days, with an exceptional scenography blending imagination and history. A must-see if you're visiting the region!

Pleyben

Saint-Germain church

More treasures to discover...

Close to the calvary, the church dedicated to Saint Germain also holds some very nice surprises. Built in 1530, it has undergone several restorations. Its bell tower, in particular, has recently been restored to its former glory: today, it looks just as it did 400 years ago! As for the cockerel, it rises to a height of 47.50 metres and can be seen from the summit of Menez-Hom !

Bell tower of the Saint-Germain church enclosure in Pleyben en Menez Hom Atlantique
©CL OTMHA
Stained glass window in Saint-Germain church, Pleyben, Menez-Hom Atlantique, France
©CLOTMHA

Look up!

Inside the church

Furniture, stained glass, statuary...

Once past the porch housing the statue of Saint Germain, the interior of the church will continue to amaze you. Take time to admire the organ, the altarpieces and the chimeras. The sablières, dating from 1571, depict scenes from daily life, the Bible and pagan mythology. The stained-glass windows also add to the beauty of the setting. The main window depicts a dozen scenes, including the Last Supper, the Kiss of Judas and the Resurrection. Take advantage of our guided tours in summer, so you don't miss a thing of this remarkable edifice!

Finally, don't miss the 16th-centuryGothic ossuary, one of the oldest in Brittany, and the 1725triumphal arch symbolizing the entrance to the world of the dead.

Ossurary from the Pleyben enclosure in Menez-Hom Atlantique
©CL OTMHA
Bell tower Pleyben

A JUMELLE?

The bell tower

Does the Bell Tower remind you of another enclosure in Finistère? No wonder! Its twin is in Saint-Thégonnec... In the past, it was common practice for parishes to "steal" plans from each other!

©Le Saint Photographie

Pleyben

A city to discover

From the historic center to the canal

If your visit to the parish enclosure has brought you to Pleyben, take the opportunity to explore the town!

  • The 7 chapels
  • The banks of the canal and a stroll along the towpath at Pont-Coblant
  • Fountains and wash-houses

A 1h15 discovery tour of the town and all its treasures is available from the tourist office (open from April to September).

Photo credits: Le Saint Photographie, "Les Chats Voyageurs", CF OTMHA, CL OTMHA, Yannick Derennes.

How do I get there?

By car

  • Via the N164, between Châteaulin and Châteauneuf-du-Faou

By train

  • Brest, Quimper and Châteaulin SNCF train stations
Getting there with Google Maps