Description
Scientific symposium dedicated to the theme: "New research and discoveries in the collegiate church of Notre-Dame de la Tronchaye", organised by the Friends of the Sanctuary association.
The Marian shrine of Notre-Dame de la Tronchaye is a religious complex of medieval origin, located below the Château de Rochefort-en-Terre, within the territory of the former parish of Pluherlin, documented as early as the 9th century. Initially conceived as a chapel, the site is associated with a statue of the Virgin Mary nursing the infant Jesus, whose discovery, occurring nearby in a tree trunk between 1125 and 1175, forms the basis of a foundational narrative that structures the history of the site. The symposium, organized over two days on October 6 and 7, 2026, aims to bring together researchers, specialists, heritage professionals, and interested members of the public for a collective reflection on the shrine of Notre-Dame de la Tronchaye. The aim is to foster a resolutely multidisciplinary approach, drawing on history, art history, archaeology, religious anthropology, and heritage studies to illuminate the site's many dimensions. This event will bring together renowned scientists, university researchers, and numerous enthusiasts of medieval art history and Breton heritage. The first day will be devoted to around ten lectures presenting the latest research findings on the collegiate church. It will conclude with an evening concert at the church. The second day will allow participants to discover several remarkable sites in Pluherlin and Rochefort-en-Terre through guided tours. See the detailed program below.
