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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The cross of Saint-Fiacre is a religious building located in Lanmeur, in the Finistère department, Brittany. Dating from the 18th century, it represents the last vestige of a larger ensemble including a chapel and an oratory, both missing. This monument is located on the route of Tro Breiz, a traditional Breton pilgrimage linking the seven cities founded by Breton saints. The cross is distinguished by its octagonal structure, with a barrel supporting a moulded console, originally designed to accommodate two statues today absent. An erased shield adorns the central part of the console, while the base, pyramidal and also octagonal, rests on three steps. The visible sculptures represent Christ to the west and a Pietà to the east.

The cross of Saint-Fiacre was inscribed as historical monuments by an order of 23 December 1969, thereby recognizing its heritage value. This ranking underlines its importance in the religious and cultural landscape of Brittany, as well as its link with the Tro Breiz, an emblematic itinerary of local spirituality. The monument, owned by the municipality of Lanmeur, bears witness to the architectural and artistic traditions of the 18th century in Brittany, in particular its sober style and carved motifs. Its octagonal base and curved console reflect a technical mastery characteristic of the artisans of the time.

The Tro Breiz, or "Tour de Bretagne", is a medieval pilgrimage still practiced today, linking the seven bishops founded by Breton saints. The presence of the cross of Saint-Fiacre on this journey underlines its role in popular devotion and the structuring of religious territory. Although the original statues have disappeared, the remaining sculptures – Christ and Pietà – recall the Christian vocation of the monument. The shield erased on the console could evoke a coat of arms or a sponsor's mark, now unknown. This monument thus illustrates the persistence of religious symbols in the Breton landscape, despite historical transformations.

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