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Things to Do in Guimiliau

the naked woman - Guimiliau
the naked woman
by Mikebond
Reviews and photos of Guimiliau attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Guimiliau sightseeing.
Local Time 2:55 pm Saturday, July 26, 2008
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Guimiliau Things To DoTips 1 - 10 of 12  
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Examine the Church's South Porch (Pt.1)
  • Updated By hquittner on September 25, 2007
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  • South Porch Entry - Guimiliau
    South Porch Entry
    by hquittner,
    4 more photos
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    Itis surprising tifjnd such an elaborate entry to a church in a small poor town (pop. 700), even more with such a fine Calvary next to it. The first thing that strikes you is the large rounded recessed entry arches and their well carved voussoirs, like a Gothic cathedral. Then on the buttresses there is a series of saintly statues culminating with one of St. Miliau above the pediment (which we did not photograph as closeups). Inside the porch under elaborately carved canopies stand the 12 Apostles each bearing an identifying attribute (note St. James with his Pilgrim Hat and cockle shell). Entry to the church is through a pair of double-arched doors with a primitive Jesus and others above. Before entering go around to the west and immediately see an old ossuary (looking like a laundry pool)and then on to the west front where there is a door remaining from the original church.(There are so many nice details of the porch that it requires a second Tip)

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    Eglise de Saint-Miliau - before entering
  • By Mikebond on November 19, 2005
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  • the church behind the calvaire - Guimiliau
    the church behind the calvaire
    by Mikebond, 2 more photos
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    The église de Saint-Miliau was erected in the 16th century, but it was rebuilt in the 17th. The portal is decorated with statues of Apostles and biblical episodes. Let's go inside.

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    Look at the Calvary (pt.1)
  • By hquittner on September 27, 2007
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  • Calvary (Front face) - Guimiliau
    Calvary (Front face)
    by hquittner, 3 more photos
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    The Calvary at Guimiliau is what you have come here for. It is similarto most of the others in the area in that it has an arch with supporting angled arms that form its base. On the platform above is a single knobby post with a crucifix with Jesus at the top. Lower down there is a beam with a large figure standing at each end (Mary and St. John?). The arch is sealed leaving a niche on the front where the statue of a Bishop stands (St. Miliau?). The Calvary has the most carved figures of any in Brittany with scenes related to the Crucifixion on the platform and others off the life of Jesus on the frieze, but not in chronological order. An unusual Breton cautionary tale is also on the platform to the right. It concerns the sad fate of a young flirtatious girl (Catell-Gollet or Catherine the Lost) who eyed-up a young handsome stranger, who was the Devil in disguise, who led her astray and to her ultimate illustrated downfall. The ends of the support arms have upon their faces the four Evangelists (see pt.2). We have also selected scenes that we can identify from the platform and base as a Travelog.

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    Look At the South Portal Details (Pt.2)
  • By hquittner on September 25, 2007
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  • Voussoir Detail: The Meeting - Guimiliau
    Voussoir Detail: The Meeting
    by hquittner, 4 more photos
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    The Carving skills range from crude to fine.Much of the work on the voussoirs is as good as that on the Calvary and the Apostles are as fine. A cruder and earlier phase is seen in the freize below the Apostles (dated1606) where the Birth of Eve from Adam's side is depicted or on the freize below the outside ossuary.

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    Eglise de Saint-Miliau - inside: overview
  • By Mikebond on November 19, 2005
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  • the nave - Guimiliau
    the nave
    by Mikebond, 4 more photos
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    The inside of the church is Baroque and, as you can already see, it is much richer than that of Saint-Thégonnec. Worth seeing are the organ, the wooden pulpit (1677) and the baptistry (1675), but I think the most beautiful part is the choir with its decorated altar-pieces that will come in the next tip.

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    There are Interior Attractions to See (Pt.1)
  • By hquittner on September 26, 2007
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  • The Baptismal Font and Cover - Guimiliau
    The Baptismal Font and
    Cover
    by hquittner,
    4 more photos
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    The interior has many furnishings and altars that feature fine examples of Breton woodcarving skill. There are the organ case, the pulpit and a large number of wooden altarpieces. (Church woodworking art during the 16-17C appears in enormous amounts all over Europe along side of plaster work as part of the Baroque and then sublimates itself into furniture and other outlets as the patronage shifts to royalty and the rich). Along the North wall is a pair of altars, the left one featuring St.Miliau and his exploits. Nearby is a large carved covered Baptistry font. Behind the main altar is a large stained glass window of 1600 with a Calvary scene. (There is so much that we have created another Tip to finish and show a few fine details)

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    Enclos paroissial
  • Updated By Mikebond on November 19, 2005
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  • the enclos - Guimiliau
    the enclos
    by Mikebond, 2 more photos
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    The main reason to go to Guimiliau is to visit its enclos paroissial, with the richest calvaire of the whole Bretagne: more than 200 statues! It is formed by:
    1) the église de Saint-Miliau;
    2) the calvaire (see more photos in the travelogue;
    3) the sacristy;
    4) the charnel house.

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    See the Ends of the Calvary (pt.2)
  • By hquittner on September 27, 2007
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  • John (the Eagle) - Guimiliau
    John (the Eagle)
    by hquittner, 3 more photos
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    The support arms (of the H) of the Calvary have upon their faces at the frieze level figures of the 4 Evangelists. With some difficulty their identifying icons can be found.

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    Eglise de Saint-Miliau - the altar-pieces and more
  • By Mikebond on November 19, 2005
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  • Saint-Miliau - Guimiliau
    Saint-Miliau
    by Mikebond,
    4 more photos
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    The three altar-pieces of the choir are certainly the most important art works of the church. The first represents Saint-Miliau, while the other two show Christ, the Madonna and saints.
    The last two pictures depict a cross and the statue of a saint with two decorated columns.

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    Details of the Interior (Pt.2)
  • By hquittner on September 26, 2007
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  • Font Cover Top: Baptism of Jesus - Guimiliau
    Font Cover Top: Baptism of
    Jesus
    by hquittner, 4 more photos
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    There is another important Altar, that of the Rosary. This must be a particular manifestation of Breton religious worship as we do not remeber seeing these altars elswhere and we haven seen them in almost every Breton church, All are framed in circular medallions with scenes to enhance the sequence of the recitation, The centers illustrate the magnificence of the sacred object. In this one the Trinity is pictured at the top. The organ case has delicately carved panelsand the top of the Baptistry cover has figures of the Baptism of Jesus.

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    Off the Beaten Path
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    Warnings or Dangers
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    Local Customs
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