Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Notre-Dame de la Croix chapel, located in Plelauff in the Côtes-d'Armor, is a religious building, probably dating back to the mid-16th century. It is distinguished by its rectangular structure, without sacristy or collateral chapel, and by its name evoking the crucifixion depicted above the jube. The latter, made of wood and decorated with paintings illustrating the seven capital sins, once occupied the entire width of the nave, symbolically dividing space. The facade, topped by a small bell tower accessible by two stone staircases, features an ogival vault and an arch in a braid finish with a cross flanked by angel heads.

The chapel underwent a major transformation in the 18th century with the addition of an apse, replacing a hut according to local tradition. This reshaping changed its original rectangular shape. Inside, four wooden canned columns, with composite capitals, testify to the old structure of the jube. Ranked a historical monument in 1925, the chapel embodies an architectural and religious heritage marked by Gothic elements (ogival vault) and Baroque additions (abside).

The sources also mention further restorations, notably in 1833 (chevet) and 1895, highlighting its ongoing maintenance. The chapel, owned by the commune of Plelauff, remains a significant example of Breton sacred art, mixing structural simplicity and iconographic richness, notably through the paintings of the jube and the carved details of the facade.

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