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Brocéliande TOURIST ROUTE C-broceliande-anglais-qx05 20/07/06 9:55 Page 2
A region caressed by the soft wind of legends, Brocéliande is a great place to visit. An enchanting 90-kilometre cir- cuit along the roads takes in a host of beautiful sites: from Iffendic to Tréhorenteuc, Concoret and Treffendel, wel- come to a world of innumerable shades of green revea- ling a splendid natural and architectural wealth. Get out of your vehicle to be overwhelmed by the magical atmos- Vallon de la Chambre au Loup Brocéliande Forest Brocéliande phere of the sites. Domaine de Careil at Iffendic, on the edge of the road circuit. In Brocéliande stone creates magnificent variations. Le Vallon de la Enchanting landscapes Chambre au Loup, at Iffendic, cuts its watery path between cliffs All along the circuit, Paimpont forest is a place of timeless magic of red shale culminating at 35 metres high. where nature rules. Mainly private, it is a reminder of the ancient A breathtaking panorama, all along the GR 37… For a great his- forest that covered the Armorican peninsula 5,000 years ago. The torical geology lesson look at the layers of sediments (sandstone, lower forest is the kingdom of oak and beech trees, in contrast to shale, and pudding stone) at the Marette quarry at Saint-Malon- the upper forest that is the favoured spot of maritime and Scotch sur-Mel; a book of stones Paimpont Abbey pines, gorse, and heather (walks authorised in the private forest on written more than 500 mil- the "Grand Randonnée" footpaths from April to October). Natural lion years ago. Departmental Sites preserve the most attractive landscapes of the circuit. The 50 hectares of Stones tell a story Paimpont lake reflect the The Brocéliande circuit peaceful harmony of its shows off a beautiful archi- eponymous Abbey. Reed tectural heritage. To the beds, water lilies, molinias, southwest of the route stop at cotton-grass, and carnivorous Maxent and open the doors sundew flourish here. Migrat- of the Saint-Maxent's church. ing birds from northern In a Romano-Byzantine style, Europe come to seek shelter it was built in the 19th cen- on the banks of this large tury on the remains of a reservoir. They also set up monastery and then a church. Religious heritage ties the shale and their winter quarters in the sandstone to Saint-Péran at the church of Saint-Pierre (16th –18th Walkers in the forest
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A region caressed by the soft wind of legends, Brocéliande is a great place to visit. An enchanting 90-kilometre cir- cuit along the roads takes in a host of beautiful sites: from Iffendic to Tréhorenteuc, Concoret and Treffendel, wel- come to a world of innumerable shades of green revea- ling a splendid natural and architectural wealth. Get out of your vehicle to be overwhelmed by the magical atmos- Vallon de la Chambre au Loup Brocéliande Forest Brocéliande phere of the sites. Domaine de Careil at Iffendic, on the edge of the road circuit. In Brocéliande stone creates magnificent variations. Le Vallon de la Enchanting landscapes Chambre au Loup, at Iffendic, cuts its watery path between cliffs All along the circuit, Paimpont forest is a place of timeless magic of red shale culminating at 35 metres high. where nature rules. Mainly private, it is a reminder of the ancient A breathtaking panorama, all along the GR 37… For a great his- forest that covered the Armorican peninsula 5,000 years ago. The torical geology lesson look at the layers of sediments (sandstone, lower forest is the kingdom of oak and beech trees, in contrast to shale, and pudding stone) at the Marette quarry at Saint-Malon- the upper forest that is the favoured spot of maritime and Scotch sur-Mel; a book of stones Paimpont Abbey pines, gorse, and heather (walks authorised in the private forest on written more than 500 mil- the "Grand Randonnée" footpaths from April to October). Natural lion years ago. Departmental Sites preserve the most attractive landscapes of the circuit. The 50 hectares of Stones tell a story Paimpont lake reflect the The Brocéliande circuit peaceful harmony of its shows off a beautiful archi- eponymous Abbey. Reed tectural heritage. To the beds, water lilies, molinias, southwest of the route stop at cotton-grass, and carnivorous Maxent and open the doors sundew flourish here. Migrat- of the Saint-Maxent's church. ing birds from northern In a Romano-Byzantine style, Europe come to seek shelter it was built in the 19th cen- on the banks of this large tury on the remains of a reservoir. They also set up monastery and then a church. Religious heritage ties the shale and their winter quarters in the sandstone to Saint-Péran at the church of Saint-Pierre (16th –18th Walkers in the forest
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vière Key Ri L Muel e M Tourist Office Equestrian activities e Iffendic D 766 u Tourist information point Leisure area DINAN / ST-MALO N La Saudrais D Start point Megalithic site t en Bléruais tav Castle, manor, or ship-owner's Recreational centre ou residence open to the public B e St-Gonlay d Religious heritage Bicycle rental u a e Museum or curiosity per s Picnic area om s C i e D 59 d u u 5 a R Trémelin Viewpoint Footpath se D 61 D 3 is u R D 31 Natural area D 773 St-Léry St-Malon Le Vallon D 30 -sur-Mel de la Chambre
4 D 59 au loup
Mauron Étang et Carrière Le Domaine 63 de la Marette de Careil D 3 Le Tombeau D 766 Le Buisson Boutavent D 3 de Merlin Le Bran 1 Comper 5 Monterfil Concoret 3 D 2 D
S D 141 Le Chêne
NNE à Guillotin Telhouët St-Péran D 36
/ VA La Saudraie e Serein au L 766 e RMEL iss E D u Coganne R LO La Ville Danet P Treffendel La Fontaine Folle Pensée de Barenton N 24 RENNES
D 773 Trudeau 1
6
D 9 N 24 D 40 Le Pertuis D 5 Néanti D 141 Le Jardin La Garoulais aux Moines Paimpont Tréhorenteuc ze D 38 hè 0 La Motte C D 4 Plélan- La D 154 Salomon u le-Grand ea L‘Ajeu D ss Lande ui D 773 Trégu R de la Troche L‘Hôtié de Viviane Le Gué Le Cannée D 63 Le Val Sans Retour Beauvais 141 D
ut Les Forges N 24 an D 38 e C 2 u L S Ruissea D 31 E L Maxent a ff V l’A al de lée / VANN
T
N
E Abbaye-la-Joie I R
Château LOR Notre-Dame iv iè (Couv.) de Trécesson r e D 6 d 34 ’
A 5 D 1 D f N 24 f 4 Beignon 5 Campénéac N 24 Le Thélin C-broceliande-anglais-qx05 20/07/06 9:55 Page 4
vière Key Ri L Muel e M Tourist Office Equestrian activities e Iffendic D 766 u Tourist information point Leisure area DINAN / ST-MALO N La Saudrais D Start point Megalithic site t en Bléruais tav Castle, manor, or ship-owner's Recreational centre ou residence open to the public B e St-Gonlay d Religious heritage Bicycle rental u a e Museum or curiosity per s Picnic area om s C i e D 59 d u u 5 a R Trémelin Viewpoint Footpath se D 61 D 3 is u R D 31 Natural area D 773 St-Léry St-Malon Le Vallon D 30 -sur-Mel de la Chambre
4 D 59 au loup
Mauron Étang et Carrière Le Domaine 63 de la Marette de Careil D 3 Le Tombeau D 766 Le Buisson Boutavent D 3 de Merlin Le Bran 1 Comper 5 Monterfil Concoret 3 D 2 D
S D 141 Le Chêne
NNE à Guillotin Telhouët St-Péran D 36
/ VA La Saudraie e Serein au L 766 e RMEL iss E D u Coganne R LO La Ville Danet P Treffendel La Fontaine Folle Pensée de Barenton N 24 RENNES
D 773 Trudeau 1
6
D 9 N 24 D 40 Le Pertuis D 5 Néanti D 141 Le Jardin La Garoulais aux Moines Paimpont Tréhorenteuc ze D 38 hè 0 La Motte C D 4 Plélan- La D 154 Salomon u le-Grand ea L‘Ajeu D ss Lande ui D 773 Trégu R de la Troche L‘Hôtié de Viviane Le Gué Le Cannée D 63 Le Val Sans Retour Beauvais 141 D
ut Les Forges N 24 an D 38 e C 2 u L S Ruissea D 31 E L Maxent a ff V l’A al de lée / VANN
T
N
E Abbaye-la-Joie I R
Château LOR Notre-Dame iv iè (Couv.) de Trécesson r e D 6 d 34 ’
A 5 D 1 D f N 24 f 4 Beignon 5 Campénéac N 24 Le Thélin C-broceliande-anglais-qx05 20/07/06 9:56 Page 6
Statue of Father Gillard St-Péran church Maxent church Hotié de Viviane Oak in Guillotin Merlin's Tomb
Although based around a legendary century), whilst at the church of Sainte-Onenne in in the forest, workshops for children are part of the Centre's pro- past, the Brocéliande circuit also pro- Tréhorenteuc, it is the quest for the Grail, honoured gramme dedicated to the Knights of the Round Table. poses more current activities. In Iff- endic, the Domaine de Trémelin also by Father Gillard, that will delight fans of unusual has a large choice of sports and nau- art with its stained glass windows and richly dec- A forest full of legends tical activities. In total safety, a rope orated mosaics. The imposing Paimpont Abbey Brocéliande is definitely the place of legends. Arthurian legend con- slide and a tree-climbing course will tinuously invites the visitor to stop and discover sites steeped in delight adrenalin fans. Nature dis- gazes at itself in the waters of its lake. Gothic in covery activities on the lake and its style, it shelters a distinctly Baroque interior; don't mystery. Amongst the most enchanting is the Val sans Retour; Mor- surrounding area round off the pos- forget to visit this superb treasure! Industry has left gane the fairy locked up unfaithful lovers here although there are sibilities for relaxations close to the The Fairies' Mirror some surprising marks on Brocéliande: a visit to the no doubt worse prisons than this wondrous landscape of red shale, road circuit. Val-Sans-Retour Paimpont smithy at Plélan-le-Grand will show you water, and heather. Megalithic sites are often associated with the industrial adventure of a region that, from the middle of the Arthurian legend. The remains of a covered alley that is Merlin's 17th to the end of the 19th century, was fully focussed on the pro- tomb; a 4,500 year old sepulchre that was the home of Viviane; the duction of steel. Even if there are less stones at Boutavent, the site Monks' Garden, a megalith of unknown usage; the Englishmen's is worth the detour: it was a high place of the Breton Middle Ages Tomb, a Neolithic covered alley… In Brocéliande the stones talk a with the construction of the castle of the Breton kings Judicaël and very strange tongue, mixing eras and legends, to the delight of Salomon. Recent digs have rehabilitated this site. You cannot fin- dreamers of all ages… ish your architectural heritage-seeking trip without strolling along- side Comper castle in Concoret. In its red shale enclosure you will find the Centre de l’Imaginaire Arthurien: exhibitions, guided walks
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Statue of Father Gillard St-Péran church Maxent church Hotié de Viviane Oak in Guillotin Merlin's Tomb
Although based around a legendary century), whilst at the church of Sainte-Onenne in in the forest, workshops for children are part of the Centre's pro- past, the Brocéliande circuit also pro- Tréhorenteuc, it is the quest for the Grail, honoured gramme dedicated to the Knights of the Round Table. poses more current activities. In Iff- endic, the Domaine de Trémelin also by Father Gillard, that will delight fans of unusual has a large choice of sports and nau- art with its stained glass windows and richly dec- A forest full of legends tical activities. In total safety, a rope orated mosaics. The imposing Paimpont Abbey Brocéliande is definitely the place of legends. Arthurian legend con- slide and a tree-climbing course will tinuously invites the visitor to stop and discover sites steeped in delight adrenalin fans. Nature dis- gazes at itself in the waters of its lake. Gothic in covery activities on the lake and its style, it shelters a distinctly Baroque interior; don't mystery. Amongst the most enchanting is the Val sans Retour; Mor- surrounding area round off the pos- forget to visit this superb treasure! Industry has left gane the fairy locked up unfaithful lovers here although there are sibilities for relaxations close to the The Fairies' Mirror some surprising marks on Brocéliande: a visit to the no doubt worse prisons than this wondrous landscape of red shale, road circuit. Val-Sans-Retour Paimpont smithy at Plélan-le-Grand will show you water, and heather. Megalithic sites are often associated with the industrial adventure of a region that, from the middle of the Arthurian legend. The remains of a covered alley that is Merlin's 17th to the end of the 19th century, was fully focussed on the pro- tomb; a 4,500 year old sepulchre that was the home of Viviane; the duction of steel. Even if there are less stones at Boutavent, the site Monks' Garden, a megalith of unknown usage; the Englishmen's is worth the detour: it was a high place of the Breton Middle Ages Tomb, a Neolithic covered alley… In Brocéliande the stones talk a with the construction of the castle of the Breton kings Judicaël and very strange tongue, mixing eras and legends, to the delight of Salomon. Recent digs have rehabilitated this site. You cannot fin- dreamers of all ages… ish your architectural heritage-seeking trip without strolling along- side Comper castle in Concoret. In its red shale enclosure you will find the Centre de l’Imaginaire Arthurien: exhibitions, guided walks
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Practical Information Practical Information Le Pays de Brocéliande, Looking for accommodation, a restaurant, A concentration of discovery documentation… CONCORET PAIMPONT • Comper Castle • Guided tour of the Abbey Contact (Centre de l’Imaginaire Arthurien): Tel.: +33 (0)2.99.07.81.37 or Open from April to October. +33 (0)2.99.07.83.20 • Brocéliande Tourist Office Tel.: +33 (0)2.97.22.79.96 www.abbayedepaimpont.org 5 esplanade de Brocéliande www.centre-arthurien- Open from Easter to mid-September (wee- [email protected] kends and public holidays) and in July and 35380 Paimpont August. Tel.: +33 (0)2.99.07.84.23 IFFENDIC E-mail: • Domaine de Careil and Vallon • Celtic Art Shop - "Au Pays de Merlin" [email protected] de la Chambre au Loup Tel.: + 33 (0)2.99.07.80.23 • Domaine de Trémelin •Exposition Art Bro • Tréhorenteuc Tourist Office Recreational Centre (Painters, ceramic artists, sculptors…) Place Abbé Gillard Tel. : +33 (0)2.99.09.73.79 Behind Paimpont Abbey. 56430 Tréhorenteuc www.domaine-de-tremelin.fr Every day in July and August Water sports, tree climbing. Tel.: +33 (0)2.97.93.05.12 • Guided tours of the legendary sites [email protected] • Trémelin Equestrian Centre of Brocéliande with the Tourist Office and Pony Club Tel.: +33 (0)2.99.07.84.23 • Pays touristique de Brocéliande Tel.: +33 (0)2.99.09.77.92 [email protected] www.tremelin-equitation.com From 07/07 to 31/08, every day. 1, rue des Korrigans Half-day, day, or week-long courses. 35380 Plélan le Grand Horse-riding in the woods and around PLÉLAN-LE-GRAND Tel.: +33 (0)2.99.06.86.07 Trémelin lake. Walks. • The old Smithy of Paimpont www.broceliande-tourisme.info Guided tours for individuals and groups • Sailing and Nature at Trémelin (requires booking) • Comité départemental Tel.: +33 (0)2.99.09.93.09 or [email protected] . du Tourisme Haute Bretagne +33 (0)2.99.09.88.10 All year for "Nature and Discovery"activities, • Ceramic workshop, Margaret Roussel, Ille-et-Vilaine and from March to November for sailing. Le Bodo, 4, rue Jean Jaurés - BP 60149 Tel.: +33 (0)2.99.06.92.60 35101 Rennes Cédex 3 • Mountain bike activity centre Open every day. Tel. + 33 (0)2.99.78.47.40 Tel. Comité Cyclotourisme: www.bretagne35.com + 33 (0)2.99.54.67.54 TREFFENDEL E-mail: [email protected] Label F.F.C.T. • Parc de Treffendel – Cirque Métropole Tel.: +33 (0)2.99.61.04.21 • Walks on Thursday evening Animal Park, Leisure Park, and circus in a from 4pm to 8pm wooded site covering 10 hectares. Courses and shows. From April to October. Walking in ST-MALON-SUR-MEL • Marette quarry TRÉHORENTEUC Brocéliande (500 million years old) Of much geological • Guided tour of the church IGN map "Plein-air" series number 4: for sale at 7.95€ interest. Free entry, information board on site. with the Tourist Office Tel.: +33 (0)2.97.93.05.12 Topographical guides: MAXENT From 15th July to 15th August at 3pm •"Randonnée en Brocéliande" for sale at •Exhibition panel inside the church (except weekends) 10,50€. Walking, horse-riding, and Open every day. mountain bike circuits, on 24 sheets. • Guided talks and walks in •"VTT en Brocéliande" for sale at 5,50€. Nine mountain bike circuits covering a •"Maxent Fêtes" Tuesdays the high places of the forest total of 300 kilometres. From 6pm to 10pm in July and August Tel.: +33 (0)2.97.93.05.12 (Organic, regional, craft) Every day from 15/06 to 15/09.
Pays Touristique de Brocéliande with the participation of the Conseil Général d’Ille-et-Vilaine and the Comité Départe- mental du Tourisme de Haute-Bretagne Ille-et-Vilaine. Photos: Pascal Glais et M.T Le Duff. Text: Erik Wietzel - Map illustration: Christophe Esnault - 2006 edition.