Saint-Gildas-de-Rhuys

Saint- Gildas- de -Rhuys ( Breton: Sant - Lokentaz or Weltaz ) is a commune with 1667 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2011 ) in the department of Morbihan in the Brittany region. It belongs to the community association Communauté de communes de la Presqu'ile de Rhuys and lies on the southern coast of the Rhuys Peninsula. Neighboring municipalities are Sarzeau in the east and in the west Arzon.

Demographics

Source: INSEE

Similar to other places on the south coast of Brittany (eg Damgan or Pénestin) the proportion of second homes is very high: only 25 % of all homes are primary residences, the rest are second homes or only occasionally occupied dwellings ( source: INSEE )

Monastery of Saint- Gildas- de -Rhuys

→ Main article: Abbey of Saint- Gildas- de -Rhuys

The monastery of Saint- Gildas- de -Rhuys was according to legend, founded in 536 by St. Gildas, a British monk. In the following centuries the monastery experienced a rapid recovery, but was abandoned during the Norman invasions in the 9th and 10th centuries. Beginning of the 11th century was the founding of the monastery. Today's churches date from the late 11th and early 12th century. In the 16th century the church fell into disrepair, but was rebuilt in the second half of the 17th century by the architect Delourme. End of the 19th century, a restoration of the preserved Romanesque components took place. Worth seeing are today, especially the well-preserved Romanesque ambulatory, which is one of the rare examples of Romanesque architecture in Brittany, as well as the reliquaries, which can be seen in the sacristy.

Exterior view of the monastery church of Saint- Gildas- de -Rhuys

Statue of St. Gildas

Coast at Saint- Gildas- de -Rhuys