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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La Quenouille de Sainte-Barbe, also known as "Le Fuseau", is a protohistoric stele classified as a historical monument by order of 24 October 1966. Located at the intersection of the VC3 and VC6 roads in Ploeven (Finistry), it is believed to have dated from the Iron Age and served for ceremonial purposes, probably funeral or cultual, for Celtic populations. In the 19th century, a local legend wrongly claimed that it would have been used as a gibet, but this hypothesis was invalidated by historical research.

The stele is closely linked to the nearby Sainte-Barbe chapel, founded in the 16th century by the lords of Barvédel, of the Le Gentil family. The latter, influential in the region, had preeminences in the parish church of Ploeven. The chapel, dedicated to Saint Barbe – protector against lightning and fire – would have been built according to tradition by monks from Outre Manche. The stele, with its evocative form, has become a local symbol associated with this religious site.

The site of the Quenouille is part of a landscape marked by the protohistoric history of Brittany. Nearby, the tumulus of Kerlaouéret (Bronze Age) and the vaulted graves on Ty Anquer beach testify to an ancient occupation. The area, rich in archaeological remains, was a place of Celtic passage and settlement, as evidenced by the oppidums and traces of Roman fisheries in neighbouring marshes such as Kervijen.

Classified as a historical monument, the stele is now owned by the municipality of Ploeven. Its popular name, "Quenouille de Sainte-Barbe", reflects its integration into local heritage and oral narratives, although its original use remains linked to the ritual practices of Celtic peoples before Christianization. Its state of conservation and its location make it a rare witness to the funeral beliefs and uses of the American Protohistory.

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