Tour de Kerroc'h

The wooded rock of Kerroc?h is famous for the votive tower overlooking it. This remarkable 2-hectare site offers a privileged view over the Bay of Paimpol and the Pointe de Guilben. It was acquired in 1982 by the Département des Côtes d?Armor, as part of its sensitive natural areas policy.

Around 1860, two sisters, the Demoiselles Janoly, decided to finance the erection of a statue of the Virgin Mary on the promontory of Cre?ch Mahaf (the Mathieu promontory) overlooking Paimpol Bay. The Virgin was intended to bless the boats that set out to fish off the Icelandic coast, which paid a heavy price in storms.

Mgr David, bishop of the diocese of St Brieuc, proposed building a Tower of David earlier, with his personal coat of arms and an image of Jerusalem's David Tower affixed to it. No doubt to ensure their salvation, the devotees agreed to modify their project.

The mayor of Ploubazlanec, M. Jacob, donated the site, which his family had acquired as national property. The tower was solemnly blessed by Mgr David on September 7, 1873. It is reported that the pontiff? blessing the kneeling crowd, seemed happy to see the fulfillment of a long-held desire.