Tréguier Things to Do

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The information that the church provided states that the once magnificent stained glass of the windows was all destryed in the Rvolution of 1793. Funds to restore the Sacrament chapel was put forward by attorney groups inFrance, Belgium and the USA and put in place in 1937 (artist not named). The replaced glass in the aisles and the splendid South Transept window were by Hubert de Sainte Marie and installed in 1971. The last named window is an allegory of the Vine (the Chruch) but what it nourishes is not clear to us. The aisle picture scenes of the Old Testament (North) and New Testament (South) plus saints lives in the Chancel. Again we cannot identify what we saw.

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The information that the church provided states that the once magnificent stained glass of the windows was all destryed in the Rvolution of 1793. Funds to restore the Sacrament chapel was put forward by attorney groups inFrance, Belgium and the USA and put in place in 1937 (artist not named). The replaced glass in the aisles and the splendid South Transept window were by Hubert de Sainte Marie and installed in 1971. The last named window is an allegory of the Vine (the Chruch) but what it nourishes is not clear to us. The aisle picture scenes of the Old Testament (North) and New Testament (South) plus saints lives in the Chancel. Again we cannot identify what we saw.

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Not only did the ancient local Bretons master woodcarving, they also learned the art of carving the local granite. The church has many early examples of 14C work in stone. Look at the capitals of the columns especially in the nave and North transept and note the stoup there. Later (15C) in marble was the tomb of Jean V as well as the tracery of the Porch entries and the voussoirs on the Bell Tower. Still further sculptures of that time are in the South aisle: tombs of unidentified knights. Finally in the 20C a tomb was erected in the garden out front (west) for the local writer Anatole Le Braz (d.1926).

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The most important monument in the Cathedral is that of Jean V Duke of Brittany located in the North aisle and the adjacent Holy Sacrament Chapel. This expansion was built by the Duke (died 1442) who wished to be buried next to the Saint (died 1303). This area continues to be devoted to St. Ives patron of lawyers and notaries. We visited a week after the annual pardon (which occurs every May19) and the altar was still covered with flowers. There are always present votive offerings and plaques ( the modern 1937 glass of the chapel and other restorations were financed by groups of lawyers from America, France and Belgium).

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Scattered through the church are many examples of old Breton wood carving. Be sure to look in the ambulatory and its chapels (items 1 &2) and in the S. transept (items 3 &4). We are sorry that #3 is so dark (there is a better picture with mikebond). This shows St. Ives between the Rich Man and the Poor Man and is much venerated (15C).

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The church was built in slow stages from 13-15C and although of consistent style and harmonious, the width of the basy and the piers vary in spacing and form with Gothic arches, triforium and clerestory. Most striking is the apse which has evolved an elaborate frieze below its trigorium with a small echoing on at the clerestory (remember this is carved granite!). The organ sits below the West Front stained glass window. The South Transept window is the best of the modern glass (seen in a separate Tip). The typical ribbed vaulting is colorfully decorated in the chancel, enhanced by many colorful banners.

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This tip contains photos that don't fit into any other tip. The first show the bishop's throne. The second depicts paintings of notaries (remember that Saint Yves is their patron saint). However, the most interesting are the last three: they portray some miséricordes ("misericords" in English). The word originally means "mercy", but here it indicates a particular architectural feature of choir seats in France. They are sculptures lying under the seats where priests used sit while they were listening at the mass, and their function was to let old priests lean on them so that they didn't get tired while they were standing. I don't know if I have explained myself well. Anyway, these sculptures are very special and some churches have wonderful ones. These ones are just nice.

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Here is the saint of this church! As I said before, although the church is dedicated to Saint Tugdual, it has always been important for the huge pilgrimages to honour Saint Yves (1250-1303). He was a priest in Tréguier and devoted himself to the poor and to justice, that is why he is today the patron saint of lawyers and notaries.
The church houses the original tomb of Saint Yves (second photo of this tip) and a reproduction of his funerary monument, made in the 19th century (the other pics).