Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Pitié et son calvaire

According to legend, it was after the Virgin appeared three times to Jean Bizien, a day labourer from Lanvellec, that a small oratory was built in the 1660s.

Several ‘miracles’ are associated with this chapel: that of a convict who implored the Virgin of Saint-Carré to clear his name, that of Marie-Pauline Droniou and Toussaint Le Guern.

Monsieur de Perrien, Lord of the place, offered the land for the construction of a chapel and Marguerite du Cosquer de Rosanbo, a foundation in her favour. The chapel was dedicated to Notre-Dame-de-Pitié. In the 19th century, it was nicknamed ‘la chapelle neuve’ (the new chapel) because of its late construction, or ‘chapelle de Saint-Carré’ (Saint-Carré chapel), or even, incorrectly, ‘église de Saint-Carré’ (Saint-Carré church).

The building was sold as national property in 1800, but was finally returned to the bishopric in 1804 for non-payment by the buyer. On 5 February 1875, lightning struck the bell tower, which was rebuilt in 1878.

The new bell tower has a double bell chamber, topped by a spire, and is accessed via a staircase tower. An outside gallery or oratory was built above the porch. The cross on the wall of the Notre-Dame-de-Pitié chapel dates from 1622. According to local tradition, Jean Bizien, founder of the original chapel, was buried at the foot of this cross. The chapel's calvary bears the date 1700.

Below the chapel, a devotional fountain is reputed to ‘cure rickets, depression and languor’.

The pardon of Notre-Dame-de-Pitié takes place on the Sunday and Monday of Pentecost. It begins on Saturday with Vespers, the Miracles Procession and a bonfire, followed by a ‘Te Deum laudamus’, a Christian hymn.

The exterior is open to visitors all year round.
The chapel is currently closed.
Information is available on site in 4 languages.
It is located on a hiking trail.
An information sheet is available from the Tourist Office.