Eglise Notre-Dame de l'Assomption

The church was consecrated in 1070 by the monks of the Sainte-Croix Abbey of Quimperlé. It is the oldest religious building on the island. It was enlarged over the centuries. While the choir and porch are Romanesque (11th century), the north arm was built in the 16th century, the south one from 1694, the pillars of the nave were rebuilt around 1710 and the bell tower-porch bears an engraved stone indicating 1714. This bell tower had a very fine spire which disappeared during the Revolution. The side chapel dates from 1868. A curious legend is related about it, that of Our Lady of the Twisted Woods. Once, a beautiful elm tree standing in front of the church was cut down by the crew of a Dutch ship who were to use it to replace the mast broken by the storm. As the trunk was being chopped up with great blows of the axe, it was suddenly seen to roll and then stiffen, "twisted from the base to the top." Unable to use a mast so twisted and, no doubt also, deeply impressed, the sailors immediately set off again. Inside, admire the two "boats" suspended from the vault of the nave intended to be carried during processions: the "big boat," the Notre-Dame de Locmaria, a three-decker rigged as a square-rigged three-masted ship with the prow adorned with an angel, and the "little boat," the Pie X, rigged as a frigate. The rector commissioned these models in 1862 from a former sailor. Mass: Saturday at 6 p.m. Contact the parish: Priest Jean-Gabriel Moyon - 06 75 12 48 90 or by email: paroisse.belleile@gmail.com

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