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St Jean Fountain

The path leading to the fountain was taken by Duchess Anne de Bretagne, the known as "the lame", born in 1477 in Nantes and died in 1514 in Blois at the age of 37.

Itron Anna was almost blind. Knowing the miraculous virtues of the water from Veuntenn Sant Yann for treating eye conditions, the story goes that she was saved after a single eye anointing. It is also said that, in grateful thanks, she contributed to the construction of the Cathedral of Argoat in the village of Plourac'h.

Meet at the wash house

The Sant-Yann fountain was a real hive of activity for the washerwomen of bourg, who carried their loads in wheelbarrows, back in the 60s.
Morning and evening, they busied themselves there, like the kindly Pauline David, also known as Boulc'h, married to Job, the sexton, and a crêpe maker on friday at Rosalie Gwilhou's place, near the war memorial.

No need for Ouest-France or Télégramme: news spread as fast as the washboard beat.

Fountain path

Comments gathered from Yvette Joncour, who watches over the entrance to the path, and her son Guy:

I knowevery tree species along this 400-meter path. Its double line of hedgerows and trees led from the village to the Medecine Spring and its small "watercress wetland", a reservoir fot agile frogs, palmate newts and snail.

The teachers from the neighbouring school had their own "plot" of watercress there. My grandfather Jan-Maï Joncour, a plant poacher, also picked it.

This place was a night-time passageway for wild boars moving between the Fréau and Beffou forest. Their cries and grunts kept my brother and me pined to our bed...

 

Last edited: 31/12/2025