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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Saint-Colomban Fountain, also known as Fetan Gwen (Breton White Fountain), is located in Joseph-Richard Square, in the heart of the town of Locminé, in the Morbihan department. This 17th century monument is distinguished by its stone architecture, marked by a triangular pediment supported by an arcade. The statue of Saint Colomban, placed under this structure, is protected by a circular niche integrated into a massif of masonry decorated with mascarons and granite columns.

The fountain was listed as historic monuments on May 8, 1933, recognizing its heritage value. Its Breton name, Fetan Gwen, evokes the whiteness of its stone, a characteristic that may have contributed to its local importance. The structure combines classical architectural elements, such as the slender pediment, with sculptural details, such as mascarons, reflecting the craft techniques of the era.

Owned by the municipality of Locminé, the fountain is part of the landscape of Breton religious monuments, often linked to local sources or cults. Its central location, on a public square, suggests a role both practical (water point) and symbolic (devotion to St. Colomban). The available data do not specify its exact use in the 17th century, but fountains of this type were generally places of gathering and prayer for rural communities.

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