Steeped in legend, mysterious and even mystical... the Monts d'Arrée in central Finistère never ceases to impress visitors. The "Curieux de nature" tour takes you along the edge of the Monts d'Arrée, between nature and heritage.
Domaine de Menez Meur
Roch an Daol, St-Eloy
La Martyre enclosure
Kandi de Mescoat, Ploudiry
Leap into the past
The Pont-Christ chapel
Leaving La Roche-Maurice, head for the Pont-Christ chapel, the first stop on your itinerary. Nestled in a bucolic setting, all that remains of this 16th-century chapel are the ruins , but the place invites you to rest and take your time. Atlow tide, you can access the island, but beware of the sometimes rapid rise in the sea! It's also at low tide that you can see the oyster beds, one of the region's gastronomic emblems!
Discover the history of flax
Le kanndi de Mescoat, in Ploudiry
Kanndi are a particularity of the Pays du Léon, in northern Finistère. These laundry houses, scattered throughout the region, often near waterways, were often shared between several families. Their function was to bleach flax yarn, a widespread activity in the Landerneau-Daoulas region since the Middle Ages.
A little history...
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the flax trade in Brittany contributed to the economic boom not only of the region, but of France as a whole. Flax was grown, then woven, and finally exported all over Europe, from Breton ports such as Brest, Morlaix and Landerneau. It was in Landerneau, in fact, that the Société Linière du Finistère was founded in 1821.
On the set
The village of Ploudiry
On the way to Ploudiry, take time to admire the scenery and the view over the Élorn valley. Ploudiry is worth a visit for its parish enclosureand its ossuary. Can you recognize the figures on the cartouche? The ploughman, the nobleman, the judge and the warrior towards whom the Ankou, i.e. death, points his arrow. This representation, often found in places of worship in Brittany, reminds us that all men are equal in the face of death.
Finistère's oldest enclosure
La Martyre parish enclosure
This is where you'll find the oldest parish enclosure in the Léonard regionand without doubt one of the most impressive! Take the time to walk around it and admire all the details of the triumphal gate and the chapel-ossuary with its inscriptions carved in stone. Have you seen the sentry walk above your head? Until the 17th century, it was used as a lookout post to keep an eye on the crowds at international fairs.
One of the most beautiful views of the Monts d'Arrée
Contemplative break at Roc'h An Daol
On your way to the next stop on your tour of Central Finistère, you'll pass through the small village of Saint Eloy, where the pardon des chevaux was once held. The tradition was for farmers to turn their horses around the church 3 times. Once you've reached Saint-Cadou, we invite you to follow the Roc'h An Daol hiking trail and climb to the top of the rock, from where you'll be able to enjoy a breathtaking view of Brest harbour, the Monts d'Arrée and Menez Homin the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique.
Discovering the flora and fauna of Brittany
Domaine de Menez Meur
Rendezvous at Domaine de Menez Meur, a natural area in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique. Educational farm, wolf, deer and bat sanctuary: with or without children, you'll be able to take advantage of the various walks on offer, between moors and forests.
Nature break
Armorique Regional Nature Park
The Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique covers 125,000 hectares and 44 communes, between the Monts d'Arrée, the islands of the Mer d'Iroise, the Aulne valley and the Crozon peninsula. Regional Nature Parks are created to enhance the value of inhabited rural areas: their landscapes, activities, culture and heritage. The PNRA was the second of its kind to be created in France, and the first in Brittany.
In the heart of the forest
The Cranou forest
Spread over 600 hectares, it's the most exposed forest in Brittany, and therefore the greenest. You'll find a rare botanical wealth along the many footpaths and streams that run through it. For wild mushroom lovers, the Cranou forest is a well-known mushroom-picking spot: remember to bring your own basket!
The end of the journey
Notre Dame de Lorette Chapel
Located on the ancient Quimper-Landerneau road, Notre Dame de Lorette nestles in a green setting. Built in the 17th century and restored in the 19th, it was an important important place of pilgrimage. Its most remarkable features are its monumental fountain and the two stained-glass windows that light up the interior of the building.
The end of the journey
Pencran parish enclosure
Your last stop on this tour of central Finistère is Pencran, where you'll discover the parish enclosure, partly built of kersantite. Its 14th-century bell tower houses one of the oldest oldest bells in Finistèrecast in 1365! The interior of the church, rich in furnishings, is also well worth a visit.
Pays de Landerneau Daoulas, heading for Brittany!
Meet us at Pont-Christ in La Roche Maurice for the start of this discovery tour!