Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The fountains of Saint-Gilles-Pligeaux, located in the village of the same name in Brittany, date from the 16th century. They are a remarkable example of Breton fountain, with two basins fed by the same source. The cutting stone enclosure, with an inner projection serving as a continuous seat, was designed to accommodate pilgrims. Two stairs give access, while two pyramid gables, carved of niches, once housed the statues of Saint-Gilles, Saint-Loup and Saint-Laurent. These fountains also played a judicial role: until the Revolution, the lords held four times a year the general pleas, solemn assemblies.

Classified Historic Monument by decree of 15 May 1953, these fountains belong today to the commune. Their architecture reflects both a religious function, with statues of saints, and civic utility, linked to judicial gatherings. The accuracy of their location is estimated as passable (note 5/10), and their official address is 6 Rue des Fontaines in Saint-Gilles-Pligeaux (Côtes-d的Armor).

The book illustrates the importance of fountains in the Ancien Régime Brittany, where they served as places of devotion, rest for pilgrims, and a framework for community or seigneurial events. Their double basin and stone enclosure highlight a practical and symbolic design, typical of the Breton hydraulic achievements of the Renaissance. No information is available on their current accessibility or contemporary use.

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