Fontaine Saint Matthieu, Guidel, Bretagne - France - Natural Springs on Waymarking.com

"L’origine du nom de Guidel viendrait d’un saint breton portant le nom latin de Vitalis, devenu Vuitol en vieux breton et Gwidel en breton moderne. Dans un tumulus il a été découvert une idole féminine datant du IIIe millénaire. Les Bretons sont arrivés au Vème et VIème siècle, puis se furent les invasions normandes, les épidémies de lèpre et de peste, du 4 août 1944 au 8 mai 1945 les durs combats de « la poche » de Lorient.

La construction de la Chapelle Saint-Mathieu a commencé en 1847, sans doute sous la direction de Mahé Audren comme le mentionne l’inscription portée dans le mur ouest de l’aile méridionale de l’édifice. Mahé est la forme bretonne de Mathieu. L’édifice a subi ensuite d’importants remaniements, la nef aurait été refaite en 1849. Depuis 1985, une association veille à la restauration et à l’animation de la Chapelle. Un pardon est célébré l’avant dernier dimanche de septembre.

La fontaine située en contrebas de la Chapelle est incluse dans un petit enclos. Cet édifice à mur pignon date du 17ème siècle. La petite niche abrite une Vierge à l’enfant. A proximité une croix ancienne surmonte une autre petite source. Nous ne possédons pas d’information quant aux propriétés thérapeutiques que pourraient receler les eaux de ces deux fontaines." (visit link)

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(EN) "The origin of the name of Guidel would come from a Breton saint bearing the Latin name of Vitalis, which became Vuitol in old Breton and Gwidel in modern Breton. In a tumulus a female idol was discovered dating from the 3rd millennium. The Bretons are arrived in the 5th and 6th century, then came the Norman invasions, the epidemics of leprosy and plague, from August 4, 1944 to May 8, 1945 the hard fighting in the “pocket” of Lorient.

The construction of the Saint-Mathieu Chapel began in 1847, probably under the direction of Mahé Audren as mentioned in the inscription on the west wall of the southern wing of the building. Mahé is the Breton form of Mathieu. The building then underwent major alterations, the nave would have been redone in 1849. Since 1985, an association has been overseeing the restoration and animation of the Chapel. A pardon is celebrated on the penultimate Sunday of September.

The fountain located below the Chapel is included in a small enclosure. This building with a gable wall dates from the 17th century. The small niche houses a Virgin and Child. Nearby an old cross surmounts another small source. We have no information on the therapeutic properties that the waters of these two fountains could contain." (visit link)

Public or Private Land?: Public Public Land Fees?: 0 Private Land access?: public

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/29/2023 GwenanDu visited it