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Origin and history

Saint Malo Church is a Catholic church in Locmalo, Morbihan, dedicated to Saint Malo. It was built in the early 15th century under the impetus of the vicomtes of Rohan, the powerful lords of Guémené. Its architecture is distinguished by two later assistant chapels: one to the north around 1611 by the Rohan, and another to the south from 1577 by the Menoray family. These additions, combined with a massive peg tower typical of the Morbihan, give it a unique silhouette, with three parallel roofs and arms of transept replaced by seigneurial chapels.

The choir, extended by a sacristy, was rebuilt in the middle of the seventeenth century, a period when the sandstones and the altarpiece also date back. The building is home to a rich 17th and 18th century statuary, reflecting its historical and artistic importance. The whole, including the floor of the square, was protected by an inscription for historic monuments on February 15, 2019, thereby recognizing its heritage value.

The Viscounts of Rohan, original sponsors, marked the history of the church with their successive architectural contributions. The north chapel, added in 1611, and the south chapel, erected in 1577 by the Menoray, illustrate the alliances and patronage of the local noble families. The tower, characteristic of the Morbihan churches, reinforces its originality, while the interior elements, such as the altarpiece and statues, underline its central role in Locmalo's religious and community life since the Middle Ages.

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