St Mélar Chapel

The Saint-Mélar chapel, nestling in the hamlet of Donnant in Saint-Jean-du-Doigt, is a Breton treasure dedicated to the young martyred prince Mélar. An ancient story Built between 1601 and 1621 by Lord Le Coail, this plain rectangular chapel once housed precious statues: Saint Mélar in a sculpted niche, a Virgin with saints, and a large wooden Christ. Deconsecrated after 1905, sold and then bought back in 1943, it was restored from 1975 to 1978 by the Friends of Mélar. The cult of Saint Mélar: Born to a princely family around 780, Mélar was murdered in 798 by a jealous servant. A symbol of purity, invoked against skin diseases, his sanctuary remains a spiritual place reached by a waymarked path from the village.