Lamballe - Collégiale Notre-Dame

Lamballe was the capital of the territory of the Counts of Penthièvre,

In 1083 Geoffroy Botterel, Count of Penthièvre, donated a priory in Lamballe to the Abbey of Marmoutiers. At that time a chapel is mentioned, that was part of the Count´s castle. This was a predecessor of the collegiate church of Notre-Dame, as this was closely linked to the castle, that got finally dismanteled in 1569 by command of Cardinal de Richelieu.

The erection of the collegiate church started in the late 12th century. Around 1200 the church got consecrated, though this was still a construction side. Works stopped for many decades due to political unrest. Around 1350 the church got fortified and was part of the castles fortification. Work continued now in flamboyant Gothic style, chapels were added, the church got enlarged and - after the castle was destroyed the building crumbled. Within the 18th century rebuilding was discussed, as the church got "unstable". During the Revolution the church got plundered and then was a "Temple de la Raison" ("Temple de la Raison").

The collegiate church continued to deteriorate and finally the repairs started. The nave was deconstructed and then rebuilt in its original state. The works were completed in 1857.

One of the capitals, that flank the Romanesque portal.