09. Circuit de l'église Saint-Mériadec et de la chapelle Saint-Molvan
Route details
Description
“Stival” comes from the Breton “stivell” which means source, fountain. This town on the border with Cléguérec was established as a commune in 1789. It was in 1805 that Emperor Napoleon I signed a decree linking it to Napoléonville, the former name of Pontivy. Fans of architectural heritage and hollow paths in the woods will find what they are looking for there.
09. Circuit of the Saint-Mériadec church and the Saint-Molvan chapel
Distance:6,0 km
Your itinerary
Step 1: Saint-Mériadec Church
Apart from the south porch and the baptismal font chapel to the north added in the 19th century, the Saint-Mériadec church dates from the second half of the 15th century. Outside, the architectural decor, of flamboyant Gothic type, is
concentrated around the doors (scrolls of vine leaves and clusters of
grapes, kale, pinnacles with hooks, gargoyles with animal heads, etc.). Inside, the choir is decorated with magnificent wall paintings from the end of the 15th century recounting the life of Saint Mériadec.
Step 2: Stagecoach Route
According to the memories of local scholars, the stagecoach path "exited
de Stival, straight into the bend via a fairly steep hill, then headed towards
Kervehaut, Fournan-Ler-Logoeo (where it was said, there was a relay where the Rohan
ate or even slept), Lesturagant, Malguénac and Guémené…”.
Step 3: Saint-Molvan Chapel
The Saint-Molvan chapel was rebuilt in 1693 on the site of a previous construction. In the central aisle, in the middle of the benches, we find a
curious stone sarcophagus from the 6th century: it is nicknamed “tomb or shoe of
Holy Molvan.” Legend has it that this sarcophagus has virtues to help children walk!
Stage 4: Coët Stival
In the village of Coët Stival, you will pass a bread oven with its mouth in
warhead which probably dates from the 19th century. It used to be used by all the villagers, who came to bake their bread and pâtés there in turn. The oven door has disappeared but we can guess its functionality with the hole allowing draft
to the fire, the shelf at this same level to place your utensils, the two stones in
forward to place the tools.
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