House In France

The Village of Guehenno

In Morbihan, on the axis Valves-Josselin, at the border of the Breton-speaking country gallo and, Guéhenno stretches itself in a green landscape crossed by the valleys of Sedon and Lay. Located in the canton of Jean-Brévelay Saint, the commune of Guéhenno extends on a surface from 2.333 hectares and account a population from 751 inhabitants.

In the enclosure even of the parish church, placed under the invocation of Saint-Pierre the most beautiful martyrdom of Morbihan is.

There is a place says “the Mount” that one also calls “the remarkable Mount-Guéhenno” formerly by the vicinity of two vaults, one under the term of Saint Marc, the evangelist, which does not exist any more, the other dedicated to Saint Michel, prince heights.

Why don't strolling in the typical hamlet called «Le Mont». You will discover a chapel (15th century) dedicated to Saint Mickael. Inside, you will discover the statue of Saint Mickael bringing down the dragon (satan). The pardon celebrated every year ( the last weekend of september ) is very popular. Don't forget to take advantage of the bird's eye view.

It is certain that GUEHENNO was inhabited well before the historical era: on the ground of our commune, the discovery of many polished stone axes, of very beautiful quality, as some axes out of primitive bronze, attests the existence of prehistoric beings. Old legends also claim that on the hills of the “Cranos” old Gallic tombs and even a treasure would be located (it still remains to discover them). Guéhenno owed its fortune with the granite careers and to the stone masons which worked there, but also with the many water and windmills.

The history of GUEHENNO, under the Gallo-Roman time is little known to us: it is generally thought that a Roman way would have passed around the City-Eon; during work of regrouping in 1963, a thousand-year-old terminal was thus updated.

But the origin of name “GUEHENNO”? Let us point out simply the various assumptions established up to now:

GUEHENNO would result from two Breton words, meaning “Peak, White Montagne”. Let us note the proximity of the “Mount” (in the past borough of Monty, very famous until XVIème century for its fair of the Michaelmas). Mount where there was undoubtedly an abbey of which we find the name in 1453 “Moustoer Guéhenno” (monastery of Guéhenno) in a text reporting the life of Saint Vincent Ferrier.

Breton “Guehann: Jean”. Let us recall that Saint Jean is the owner of the parish (even if if Holy Pierre is the holder).

	For these “linguistic” assumptions, it is necessary to add three historical facts: At the beginning of VIème century, according to the tradition, existed a Guéthenoc Saint, friend or relative of Jacut Saint and Guénolé Saint. Would he be founder of GUEHENNO? In 1196, a certain lord Guéthennoc was a bishop of Valves, on which always GUEHENNO for the spiritual one depended.
Another historical character, Guéthenoc, grandson of the duke Conan 1st, made build in 1008, the first castle of Josselin, name borrowed from his elder son. Let us add finally that it would be anachronistic speech of the commune of GUEHENNO, before the Revolution. The parish preceded the commune and it undoubtedly should even be thought, according to an old tradition, that Cruguel, Billio, Guéhenno were joined together: the parish church of this composite unit would have risen at the village of City-with-Lo in Cruguel.
The column represents the instruments of Christ's Passion. Behind the calvary, can be found a catacomb built in 1863 (by the abbot Jacquot) which evokes Christ's tomb. Its entrance is protected by 2 statues of sentry guards.	When you will stroll around the village, you will point out preserved little buildings, some houses présent architectural distinctive feature. The little calvary (1527), next to the blue house (typical italian architecture, post second world war) is a traditional présentation of the Christ died on the cross on one side and the Virgin on the othe side. This calvary was built probably with the request of a priest or his family, like is point out with a calice (cup) on the shaft. The calvary, dating from 1550 is one of the most beautiful monument of this kind in Morbihan. It was destroyed in 1793-1794 during the Révolution. It was restored in 1853 thanks to the inabitants who kept the différent broken peaces of the calvary and the rector of Guéhenno, the abbot Jacquot and his vicaire Laumaille. The calvary présents the scènes of the Passion related in the 4 gospels.
Finally, it is worth visiting the manor of Lemay (in direction of Guegon). This Renaissance manor house was built in the 16th century. Outside, you will point out the embellishment on the skyligths. Its construction was never been finished, look at the stones of the fire place at the south's side. From succession to succession, the manor house has been little modifïed over the years which has allowed it to keep its lights rooms heated by superbs fire places and flag stone floors. It was classed -historical monument in 1991. ( Just up the road from us )
	There, you can discover the ancient bread's oven, the ancient well and the dovecote with more than 850 holes in the inside, representing the Lord of Lemaes's wealth. Behind the manor house, it is possible to see the park with différent granité's stones sculptures.
The church dating from 1858 is dedicated to Saint Jean Baptiste. Inside, you can find the Saint Jean Baptiste's statue, stained-glass and banner. You could find the ancient church 's pulpit in the chapel Saint Michel.