Cast is a long straggling settlement, a few miles south west of Chateaulin on the main road to Loncronan. The main settlement is along the main road which has a few streets off lined with old stone houses. Apart from the Hunt of St Hubert there is little to encourage the tourists to stop.
We had driven through it a few days earlier and thought it an attractive small town which would repay time spent walking round and looking at the church. It did.
The Parish Church of St Jerome is on the main street. It is typical of many small churches found around Brittany built between 16-18thC. It is a low stone building with three aisles and open belfry tower. The inside is fairly plain; this was not one of the wealthy linen churches. The calvary is small and dwarfed by the glorious 16thC monument of the Hunting of St Hubert next to it.
According to legend, Lord Hubert was a keen huntsman and committed the sin of going hunting with his dogs on Good Friday. He was chasing a deer when he had a vision and heard the voice of God thundering down on him. He promptly repented and was converted.
The carving shows a stag with a crucifix between his antlers. There is a carving of Hubert climbing off his hose and beside it a carving of Hubert on his knees in front of the stag with his helmet at his side. The dog looks to be praying too. Even though St Hubert was an 8thC saint he is wearing 16thC dress.
CHAPELLE ST GILDAS is down a side road from Cast. It is a lovely setting among the trees just off the road. It is a plain, low stone building with slate roof built in the shape of a cross with a small bell tower. set among trees off the road. Unfortunately it was locked.
A path drops down through the wood beyond the chapel and the fountain is signed off to the right. It is a timeless setting. There is a small statue of St Gildas in an alcove with a small plunge pool which lead into a larger stone pool. The water was supposed to be beneficial in cases of madness, fever, rabies, toothache….
Cast gets few tourists which is a shame as it is a delightful small place.
Website: http://tinyurl.com/cfrjxf8
