Enclos paroissial de Pencran

Overlooking the Elorn valley, the parish enclosure at Pencran is a model of its kind. Formerly part of the larger parish of Ploudiry, its church is known from 1363, but was rebuilt in the 16th century in Gothic style "in honour of God, the Virgin and Saint Apolline". As you enter the enclosure, the first thing that catches your eye is the south porch, in kersanton, remarkable for its design and decoration. An introduction to the Renaissance style, the finely sculpted voussoirs are full of angels, musicians, foliage and scenes from Genesis. It also houses the 12 apostles in their flamboyant canopied niche. The bell tower, built in the 14th century, houses one of the oldest bells in Finistère, called "la Marie", cast in 1365. Inside, the masterpiece of Gothic furniture is undoubtedly the Descent from the Cross (1517) in polychrome wood and Flemish influence. There is no altarpiece here, but a number of well-preserved polychrome statues and fanciful sablières where human faces are combined with animals, all framed by plant decoration. The stained glass windows are much more recent (20th century). In this Gothic context, the Renaissance style flourishes in the ossuary (1594), on which its purpose is inscribed: "...charnel house to collect the bones of the people". Now a private vault, who can imagine that it was also used as a tobacconist's, a school and even the town hall! One last look at the calvaries, particularly the one to the north, erected in 1521, where 3 crosses rise above the monumental entrance, with Mary Magdalene kneeling at its foot. This model of calvary, highly original for its time, was to set an example throughout the region, as it allowed the figures to be multiplied. A cast of this Calvary can be seen in the Musée des Monuments Français in Paris. Guided tour of the parish enclosure with the APEVE association (booking required).