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Origin and history

The church Saint-Pierre de Plougras, located in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany, is a religious building built mainly in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. It presents a cruciform plan, with a bedside with cut strips and an irregular granite apparatus. Its architecture includes a southern porch decorated with funeral frescoes and a square bell tower, typical of the Beaumanoir style, which collapsed in 1978 before being rebuilt. The decorative elements, such as carved sandstones and painted panelling, bear witness to its rich artistic heritage.

The major works take place in two phases: the late 15th and early 16th centuries for the nave and porch, and the 17th century for the bell tower (1681-1687) and the choir. 14th century re-uses of windows are visible in the southern chapel. The church was listed as a Historic Monument in 1930, highlighting its heritage importance. Inside, a 15th century Pietà and exceptional representations, such as the Karrigell an Ankou (Charette of Death), enrich his iconography.

The bell tower, rebuilt after its collapse in 1978, has a hooked octagonal arrow and two bunk bell chambers framed with balustrades. The southern porch, dated from the late 15th century, has a broken bow and gargoyles with crawlers. The sacristy, added in 1762, bears the inscriptions of the rector Jean-François Le Diouris. The painted and restored nave panels, as well as the unidentified coat of arms, complete this historic setting.

The sources mention a report of 1505 before the demolition of an earlier church, suggesting a major reconstruction in the late Middle Ages. The Lords of Menez en Plougras, pre-eminencers of the church, marked its history. The successive restorations, such as that of the panel of the choir in 1786 or the sandstones in 1975, illustrate the continuous efforts to preserve this emblematic monument of Brittany.

The building combines varied architectural styles, from flamboyant gothic (porch, nave) to Breton classicism (clocher Beaumanoir). Its iconography, mixing religious motifs and popular representations like Ankou, reflects the beliefs and local culture of the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, Saint Peter's Church remains a major witness to the religious and artistic heritage of Côtes-d'Armor.

The materials used, granite for the large work and shale for the soils, are typical of the region. The staircase turret clings to the bell tower and the engaged columns of the west door highlight the know-how of the artisans of the time. The inscriptions, such as PETRAM 1681 on the bell tower, offer precise chronological markers to understand its architectural evolution.

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