Chapelle Notre-Dame de Port-Blanc, Medieval chapel in Port-Blanc, Penvénan, France.
Chapelle Notre-Dame de Port-Blanc is a chapel in Port-Blanc, Penvénan, built partially into the ground with stone walls and a striking bell tower that overlooks the sea. The structure occupies a small, sheltered spot along the coastline where the terrain drops toward the water.
Built on the foundations of a 13th-century watchtower, the chapel was severely damaged by a hurricane in 1836 that destroyed its original bell tower. Reconstruction took place in 1837, giving it the form we see today.
Inside the chapel hang three wooden ship models crafted by local sailors as votive offerings, including a three-masted vessel with a detailed carved figurehead from the late 1800s. These handmade objects show how fishing families connected their daily work to their faith and left behind objects to mark important moments in their lives.
Visit when weather permits, as the coastal location means winds and rain can make access difficult or uncomfortable. Wear sturdy shoes since the path to the chapel crosses uneven ground and the stairs inside are steep.
Local fishermen carved these wooden ship models during their off-seasons as a form of craftwork and left them in the chapel as personal offerings to seek protection at sea. The practice reveals how sailors transformed idle time into objects of spiritual meaning that still survive today.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
