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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Locmeltro Fountain is a triangular gable edicle located about 50 metres south of the chapel of Saint-Meldéoc, in the hamlet of the same name in Guern (Morbihan). It was built in 1728, according to local archives, and is part of a religious ensemble including a chapel, a cemetery, a monumental cross and a bread oven. Its sober architecture, typical of Breton fountains, is integrated into a landscape marked by the presence of a chapel from the 15th to the 19th century, which was partly rebuilt in 1866.

The fountain has been listed as a historic monument since February 24, 1976, recognizing its heritage value. It is associated with the chapel Saint-Meldéoc, an ancient truve of the parish of Guern, dedicated to Saint Meldéoc, bishop of Vannes died in 672. The origin of the toponym Locmeltro remains debated: some see it as a reference to Saint Meldeoc, others to a neolithic club (mell beniguet) christianized and preserved in the chapel, or to another saint like Maël or Mélar. The fountain, like the chapel, bears witness to the importance of sources and places of worship in Breton rural life.

The whole of Locmeltro experienced periods of decline, especially in the 1950s-1960s, where the chapel was described as ruined, with a collapsed roof and cracked walls. A local mobilization, led by associations such as Breiz Santel (1979) and Paotred tro Locmeltro (1980), allowed its gradual restoration. The work, funded by grants and the revenues of annual forgiveness, has given the fountain and its environment a sustained aspect, visible today. The chapel and its fountain thus illustrate the resilience of the Breton rural heritage, preserved by community commitment.

The contemporary stained glass of the chapel, attributed to the workshop of Hubert de Sainte-Marie (Quintin), and the remains of 15th century bays used in the transept recall the historical strata of the site. The fountain, though discreet, plays a symbolic role in this set, linked to religious practices and local legends. Its ranking in 1976 and its proximity to the chapel make it a key element of Guern's heritage, reflecting both medieval history and modern safeguard dynamics.

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