Sculpted rocks of Rothéneuf

On the steep coast of Saint-Malo, between Cancale and the Pointe de la Varde, stands a place as mysterious as it is fascinating: the Sculpted Rocks of Rothéneuf. In the heart of nature, buffeted by winds and sea spray, more than 300 figures carved into the rock form a strange and captivating fresco. This unique site in Brittany, halfway between art and spirituality, is the work of one man: Abbot Adolphe Julien Fouéré, known as Abbot Fouré.

A priest turned hermit sculptor

Abbé Fouré was born in 1839 and served in several parishes in Ille-et-Vilaine: Paimpont, Guipry, Forges-la-Forêt, Maxent, and Langouët. In 1894, struck deaf, he was forced to abandon his duties as rector in Langouët, despite the support of his parishioners. He then retired to Rothéneuf, five kilometers from Saint-Malo, and began a new, solitary life, focused on contemplation... and creation.

It was there, between sky and sea, that he began a monumental work, carved out of the granite rocks. For more than 13 years, from 1894 to 1907, he tirelessly sculpted the cliffs, leaving behind a world populated by faces, saints, mythological figures, and contemporary figures.

A fresco carved in the rock

The sculpted site extends over a natural rocky formation overlooking the sea. The shapes of the stone guide the abbot's hand, which brings to life more than 300 figures. Some are barely sketched, others emerge almost entirely from the granite, in a mixture of bas-reliefs and exposed statues. These works were once painted in bright colors: blue, yellow, garnet, chocolate... The facial features were outlined with tar, which has now disappeared.

This outdoor fresco, constantly exposed to salty winds, is both fragile and powerful. It tells a story, that of its creator, but also that of a world seen through the eyes of a priest turned artist.

Abundant inspiration

Contrary to what some interpretations have suggested, Abbé Fouré's sculptures do not tell the story of a family of smugglers or pirates. Rather, they are a gallery of real or symbolic characters, inspired by the current events of his time, religious history, and his personal readings.

The abbot was a cultured man, passionate about history and geography, reading newspapers like Le Salut and L’Ouest-Éclair. He also drew on the local press and world events. His works include a scene from the Transvaal War, with figures like President Krüger and Colonel de Villebois-Mareuil.

Breton saints, legends and figures

As a good Catholic and patriot, Abbé Fouré also draws on religious and regional imagery. He sculpts Saint Budoc, represented twice, but also Saint Yves, and even Gargantua, the mythical giant whose legend also resonates in Saint-Suliac. We also encounter Mother Michel and her cat, an oyster seller, or Andrea the charmer. His work teems with figures halfway between folklore, satire, and evangelism.

His attachment to the region is evident, particularly through the representations of Jacques Cartier, the famous explorer born in Saint-Malo, which the abbot sculpts in both rock and wood, in his house in the town.

A vanished museum: the Hermitage of Rothéneuf

In addition to outdoor sculptures, the abbot also produced wooden works, which he kept in his house, nicknamed the High Folly, the Hermitage of Rothéneuf, or the Hermit's House. This strange place, surrounded by a crenellated wall and guarded by laughing faces, housed a naive museum, which no longer exists.

There were galleries with evocative names – Infernal, Mystic… – populated with totems, saints, fabulous animals and political figures. The abbot lived there in seclusion, faithful to his motto: “Amor et Dolor” (Love and Pain), engraved on his armchair. This museum was extensively modified after his death, and the wooden works were lost.

A discreet and moving end of life

In 1907, Abbé Fouré was struck by paralysis and speech difficulties. He could no longer sculpt, but remained in his house, where he died on February 10, 1910, at the age of 71. He is buried in the Rothéneuf cemetery, not far from the cliffs he transformed into a work of art.

His work, although isolated, was already recognized during his lifetime. Articles were devoted to him in the press, and by 1925, more than 80,000 visitors came to Rothéneuf each year. In 2012, despite erosion, the site still attracts around 40,000 curious visitors per year.

A fragile and threatened heritage

The site of the sculpted rocks is now in danger. Natural erosion, sea spray, wind, moss, and trampling seriously threaten the sculptures' legibility. A 2009 inspection by the DRAC (Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs) deemed their state of conservation "alarming." The colors have disappeared, and some figures are barely visible.

Despite the work's heritage significance, the site is neither classified nor listed as a historic monument. It remains private, and access to the site is subject to a fee. Few protective measures have been put in place, and time continues its destructive work.

Initiatives to preserve memory

In response to this observation, an association of friends of Abbé Fouré's work was created in 2010. Its mission is to raise awareness of the artist, raise public awareness, and promote conservation efforts. It organizes exhibitions, guided tours, and publishes research to better understand the man and his art.

Virtual tours have also been offered, particularly in 2020, to allow as many people as possible to discover this astonishing place without damaging it further.

Why visit the Sculpted Rocks?

To visit the Sculpted Rocks of Rothéneuf is to immerse yourself in the world of a unique man, a hermit sculptor driven by faith, memory, and creativity. It is to discover a raw, instinctive art form, deeply rooted in Brittany, yet open to the world.

It is also a journey through time, a walk facing the sea where each stone face tells a story. Finally, it is a call for preservation, because this fragile heritage deserves our full attention.

Practical information

🎟️ Paid access – Private site

📅 Hours vary depending on the season

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