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Origin and history

The Saint-Clair Fountain is located at the place called "Saint-Clair", in the commune of Réguiny, Morbihan (Bretagne). Built in the 18th century, it is distinguished by its sober and functional architecture: a rectangular massif of cut stone, adorned with two doric columns and an entablement. A niche houses a statue of Saint Clair, traditionally invoked for the evils of the eyes. In front of the structure, a basin dug into the ground allows pilgrims to wash their eyes, perpetuating a devout practice related to healing.

The fountain was listed as historic monuments on February 24, 1944, recognizing its heritage and cultural value. Its rectangular gable plan, complemented by a curved swimming pool, reflects the masonry techniques of the time. The site, surrounded by a meadow (cadastre F 20), preserves a rustic and sacred atmosphere, typical of Breton fountains associated with local cults or legends.

Saint Clair, whose name is associated with the fountain, is a figure venerated for its protective virtues towards the sight. Although the sources do not specify the exact origin of this devotion to Reguiny, this type of monument illustrates the importance of miraculous fountains in the Ancien Régime Brittany. They served as places of worship, community gathering and care, combining religious practices and popular traditions.

Architecturally, the facade of the fountain is characterized by a sleek decor, marked by the use of doric columns and an entably interrupted. These classic, though modest, elements underline a will to beautify and sacralize space. The basin, a central element, recalls the therapeutic and ritual use of water, a resource often associated with purity and healing in medieval and modern Christian beliefs.

Today, the Saint-Clair Fountain remains a testimony of Breton religious and vernacular heritage. Its inscription among the historical monuments of Morbihan in 1944 allowed its preservation, while stressing its role in local history. The site, though discreet, continues to attract attention for its link with popular traditions and its characteristic architecture of the eighteenth century.

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