Eglise abbatiale de La Trinité Porhoët

A church dating back to the year 1000, with a nave in Gothic and Romanesque styles.
A vast building constructed on a steep slope: the climb up to the choir is surprising.
A superb Tree of Jesse, in shimmering colours.

Due to its imposing western portal, the church has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1914.
Although it has been remodelled several times over the centuries, it still retains its original Romanesque structure: a large nave with two aisles, a transept with two crossings and a rectangular choir with a flat chevet.
Its interior dimensions are impressive: 45 metres long, 16 metres wide and 11.5 to 14.5 metres high. Inside, Romanesque (north side) and Gothic (south side) styles coexist. The imposing building leans towards the south, and we literally have to climb towards the choir, such is the steepness of the slope.
The most admired part is the Tree of Jesse, dating from 1675. Located in the choir and in Baroque style, it was made of wood and terracotta by Italian sculptors. It symbolises the family tree of Jesus. At its base is Jesse, the oldest ancestor of Christ, and at its top is Jesus rising in glory from his tomb.
At the base of the Tree of Jesse is a gilded wooden altarpiece. It comes from Bodegat Castle in Mohon. It was donated to the church of La Trinité-Porhoët by the Marquise Madame de Sévigné when she decided to abandon her castle, which was in very poor condition.

Free admission and guided tours available for groups at an additional cost. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., run by local residents.

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