In a midsize city in Brittany,
a deconsecrated church from the beginning of the 20th century
a deconsecrated church from the beginning of the 20th century
,
COTES-D'ARMOR
brittany
FR
Location
The church is located in Brittany, within a geographical area close to the sea, city and countryside, several dozen kilometres from two popular seaside resorts, while a developed road network makes Brest, Rennes and Paris easily accessible. Surrounded by a residential neighbourhood, the edifice is a few minutes by foot from the SNCF train station as well as four schools. Shops and services are also numerous and varied. The neighbourhood is attractive, young and dynamic.
Description
The church occupies a central position in its neighbourhood. To the south, it has two adjacent outbuildings, while its outskirts are mostly decorated with flowers, which contrast nicely with its granite colour. Of Gothic inspiration, it is topped with a gabled slate roof, while its façade in granite rubble stone has ashlar stone window and door surrounds. The architect also valued natural or painted bricks, which creates a polychromatic interplay typical of this architectural period, of which other illustrations can also be found in the surrounding houses as well as in the villas typical of the nearby seaside resorts. The numerous lateral windows, under Gothic horseshoe-shaped arches, are placed in pairs on each side of the transept, topped with bull’s-eye windows.
In the front, a staircase from the forecourt leads to a door with a half-moon stained glass window in its upper section. Four arrow slits on either side of its entrance give a defensive air to this slender façade, topped with a traditional belfry, the lower part of which is crenelated. Besides the front door, there are several other entrances: one is located on its lateral façade and provides access to the nave, while two others each open onto a small entrance hall that leads to the adjacent outbuildings. Behind, on each side of the choir, small patios are visible from the street. They are bordered by a balustrade, the geometrical shapes of which evoke a graceful pile of small building blocks.
In the front, a staircase from the forecourt leads to a door with a half-moon stained glass window in its upper section. Four arrow slits on either side of its entrance give a defensive air to this slender façade, topped with a traditional belfry, the lower part of which is crenelated. Besides the front door, there are several other entrances: one is located on its lateral façade and provides access to the nave, while two others each open onto a small entrance hall that leads to the adjacent outbuildings. Behind, on each side of the choir, small patios are visible from the street. They are bordered by a balustrade, the geometrical shapes of which evoke a graceful pile of small building blocks.
The Church
The ground floor
Light inundates the church’s interior via stained glass windows composed of multiple diamond-shaped pieces of clear and bluish glass. A nave, transept and choir structure the whole, whose warm colours contrast with the blue painted ceiling. Like the outside, brick is showcased here as well as granite. On either side of the front door, a staircase provides access to an upper gallery where an organ is located. The view from above is breath-taking and reveals the nave and choir in all their splendour. The choir and both external sections of the transept are bordered by arches resting on columns and their crenelated capitals. There are also two small doors that lead to the belfry, in addition to the ones that provide access to the sacristy and a logistics room.
The upstairs
A gallery, which is reserved for the choir, is accessible via two staircases from the nave.
The Outbuildings
Adjacent to the church, they form a U shape and include two study rooms, a lavatory and a furnace room. A hallway, partially open to the outside, connects the different rooms with one another.
Our opinion
An edifice steeped in History and spirituality, which has long been the beating heart of this working-class quarter, emblematic of the town, which was born out of the Industrial Revolution. At the beginning of the last century, the church was integrated within a new and avant-garde residential and architectural neighbourhood, towards which a population of workers and shopkeepers naturally gravitated. Deconsecrated from religious worship, it today lies in hope of a second life. With its Gothic-inspired façade and minimalist interior, the edifice is capable of accommodating audacious projects, in order to accentuate the contemplative atmosphere and mystical luminosity of the premises.
330 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 310825
| Land registry surface area | 786 m2 |
| Main building surface area | 380 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 1 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 207 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 153 m2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
