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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Chapel Saint-Nicolas de Plfur, located in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany, is a Catholic religious building built in 1499. It embodies the Beaumanoir style archetype, characterized by a slender bell tower and a three-sided bedside with windows topped by gables. This style, which was innovative for the time, spread mainly in Bas-Trégor, as well as in Leon and Cornwall. The chapel is considered one of the major works of this period, and its geographical isolation has allowed its exceptional conservation, preserving its intact architectural elements.

An inscription engraved in Breton, distributed on the west wall, mentions the year 1499 and evokes two names: Philippe Beaumanoir, master stone tailor often credited as architect, and Plusquelc, whose exact role is debated. Some historians, such as René Couffon and Pierre Barbier, attribute the authorship of the work to Beaumanoir, while Yves-Pascal Castel and Christian Millet suggest a collaboration between Beaumanoir and Plusquellec, which may be linked to Bruillac's career. This controversy illustrates the complexity of attribution in medieval workshops.

The chapel underwent several restorations, notably in 1914, 1960-1970s, and 1999 for the consolidation of the bell tower. In 2010, new doors and stained glass windows, designed after sketches by Hubert de Sainte-Marie, were installed. Despite these interventions, the building retained its authenticity, with elements such as decorative gargoyles, chimeras, and a flamboyant speckled balustrade, typical of the Beaumanoir style. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1911, it remains a rare testimony of Breton religious architecture in the late Middle Ages.

Architecturally, the chapel is distinguished by its Latin cross plan, its innovative bell tower-wall (high 26.10 m), and its three-sided bedside with a multi-hull cover. The interior, sober but elegant, houses flamboyant Gothic windows and ancient statues, although some have been moved or replaced, like that of Saint Nicholas, redone by sculptor Lucien Prigent. The exterior ornamentation, integrated with the structure, highlights chimera sculptures and hooks, reflecting a balance between counting and refinement.

Located in an isolated site of the Yar valley, near Plfur, the chapel is accessible by a walking path from Trémel. It attracts visitors for its annual pardon, celebrated on Sundays near August 15, and for its role as a prototype of the Beaumanoir style, which influenced buildings until the 18th century. Its classification among the Historical Monuments and its preservation make it a must-see heritage of Brittany, often called "unknown jewel".

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