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Origin and history

The chapel and fountain of Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines are located in Daoulas, in the department of Finistère (region Brittany), at the place called L'Abbaye. This 16th-century monument is distinguished by its wooden oratory with a skeleton façade, its masonry apse and its glass sides. Inside, carved friezes adorn the walls, while an inscription attests to restorations carried out in 1847 and 1885. The chapel is inseparable from its contemporary fountain, composed of a four-pinnacle niche and a swimming pool, bearing an inscription dated 1550.

The ensemble, owned by the Finistère department, was registered as historical monuments by order of 18 October 1926. The chapel illustrates the Breton religious architecture of the Renaissance, with wooden elements typical of the region. The fountain, often associated with devotional or pilgrimage practices, reflects the importance of sacred sources in the local heritage. The restorations of the 19th and 20th centuries bear witness to a continuous effort to preserve this historic place.

Daoulas, a commune near Brest, was in modern times a religious and commercial crossroads. Chapels and fountains, such as Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines, played a central role in community life, serving as places of worship, gathering and pilgrimage. Their preservation today makes it possible to understand the architectural and spiritual traditions of 16th century Brittany, as well as their evolution throughout the centuries.

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