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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Saint-Elouan Fountain is a 17th century religious building located in the commune of Saint-Guen (Côtes-d'Armor, Brittany). It is intimately linked to the chapel Saint-Eloan, rebuilt in the same century after a destruction. The ensemble includes a Renaissance tomb and a Merovingian tombstone, dug by water from a spring, as well as a stone altar with a statue of the saint.

The outside fire, dating from 1633, houses the tomb and is surrounded by a Renaissance balustrade. The upper altarpiece, marked of the year 1656, dominates a niche with the statue of Saint Elouan. These elements illustrate the superposition of architectural styles (Merovingian, Renaissance) and the persistent veneration of the local saint.

The fountain was listed as a historic monument on June 11, 1964, recognizing its heritage value. Although administratively located in Saint-Guen, its approximate address (via GPS) sometimes places it near Guerlédan, reflecting the boundaries of historical geographical data. The site remains communal property and bears witness to Breton devotion to sacred sources.

Saint Elouan, the central figure of the monument, is associated with a tradition of pilgrimage linked to water, typical of Brittany. The tombstone, eroded by the source, symbolizes the link between Christian worship and pre-Christian practices of veneration of fountains. The site thus combines religious history, architecture and local memory.

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