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Origin and history

The Notre-Dame-de-Folgoat Chapel, located in the commune of Paule (Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany), is a 16th century religious building. It is distinguished by its typical architecture: a two-storey bell tower topped by an octagonal arrow, a nave with a square bedside and a low side with an apparent crib frame. Nearby, a calvary and a fountain under shelter complete the whole, while yews and a fence delimit the adjacent cemetery. The chapel has been listed as Historic Monument since 1920, including in its protection fountain, calvary, yew and fence.

The vault of the chapel, dated 1528, dates its construction in the early 16th century. Its construction could have been impulsed by the De Leslay family, lords of Kerangével, whose mansion (rebuilt in 1717) is still visible today. The interior furniture is remarkable, with a stand of 1719, a polychrome wooden altar, and several painted wooden statues, including a 17th-century Virgin with Child depicting Mary trampling on a mid-female demon, perhaps evoking Eve and original sin.

The chapel is associated with a local legend linked to Salaün ar Foll, the mythical Breton figure of the Folgoët (Finister). The so-called Lansalaün, where it is located, derives its name from the Breton Salaün, translated in French by "Terre de Salomon". This building, modest in size but rich in symbols, illustrates the importance of rural chapels in Breton religious heritage, often linked to sources, fountains and popular legends.

Architecturally, the chapel combines simplicity and elegance, with prominent foothills and an apparent structure. Its stone bell tower, typical of Breton architecture, contrasts with the rarer octagonal arrow. The Calvary and the Fountain, a recurring element in the Breton parish groups, highlight its role both religious and community, serving as a place of pilgrimage and gathering for the inhabitants of Paule and the surrounding area.

Ranked among the Historical Monuments in 1920, the chapel Notre-Dame de Folgoat embodies both material and intangible heritage. Its furniture, statues and glassware testify to the local devotion and craftsmanship of the 16th and 17th centuries. Today owned by the municipality, it remains a place of memory and spirituality, open to the visit and anchored in the cultural landscape of inland Brittany.

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