18. Brittany Region (1/5)
With Saint Colomban, the route offers the opportunity to discover Brittany in all its diversity.This first part (1/5) offers 15 stages with an average daily distance of 24km:
St-Coulomb - Dol de Bretagne
Dol de Bretagne - Le Tronchet
Le Tronchet - Lehon
Lehon - Yvignac
Yvignac - St Méen le Grand
St Méen le Grand - Mauron
Mauron - Loyat
Loyat - Plélan le Grand
Plélan le Grand - Talensac
Talensac - Rennes
Rennes - Pont-Réan
Pont-Réan - Messac
Messac - Langon
Langon - Marsac sur Don
Marsac sur Don - Blain

St Coulomb's Church
In the church you can seea monochrome wooden statue of St Colomban. It predates 1820 (previous church). The base of this statue contains two relics of St Columban, one of which was presented to Father Michel, the parish priest of St Coulomb, by Monsignor Ambrioso, Bishop of Bobbio, in July 2017, on the occasion of Columban's Day 2017 in Pianello Val Tidone.the curragh: displayed in front of the gallery, it is used during the pardon procession and was made by a member of the association "Les Amis Bretons de Colomban" in 2015. The curragh is the ship used by the monks to travel between Ireland and the continent.the banner: recently made, it evokes the arrival of St ColombanThe wooden bas-relief at the foot of the altar: This depicts the arrival of St Columban on the beach, awaited by the local people. It was made in 1953the stained glass window of St Colomban in the choir, made in 1868 by the master stained glass artist Ernest Steizi.At the end of the village in the direction of Cancale: statue of St Colomban dating from 2000 and donated by Martine Latimier and Bertram Wawera.

Duchess Anne's Dyke
The Digue de la Duchesse Anne is a dyke built on the ancient barrier beaches that separated the bay from the marshes of Dol de Bretagne. It stretches for around thirty kilometres as far as Ste Anne's chapel.Construction probably began in the 11th century and continued over the following centuries, transforming the marshes into polders.A comparison of the ground levels on the bay side and the polder side confirms that the bay has silted up.

Mont-Dol
Le Mont-Dol is a mound of 65m isolated in the middle of the 12000 hectares of the marsh of Dol de Bretagne. It was once surrounded by the sea. Mammoth bones among others, have been discovered at the foot of the mountain. At the top of the mountain, there is a chapel, a tower topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary looking towards Dol as well as several mills. From the top, there is a magnificent panoramic view of the marshes of Dol and the bay of Mont St Michel, from Cancale to Granville. The village with the church StPierre of the XIIth century is located at the foot of the mount.

Cathedral of Dol de Bretagne
Dol de Bretagne was the episcopal see of St Samson, one of the seven founding saints of Brittany. The cathedral of Dol is a stage of the "Tro Breiz". The cathedral of Dol de Bretagne is in Gothic style. It was erected between 1200 and 1280 and replaced a burnt-out Romanesque building. One of the towers has remained in the state of project. One of the peculiarities of this cathedral is its double shaft; an external cylindrical shaft 90cm in diameter and 12m deep and an internal parallelepipedic shaft of 0.80X0.60m recently discovered. These 2 shafts are connected by a gallery 4m long and 1.80m high at 11.50m deep. On the forecourt of the cathedral is exposed a granite vessel, "Maen vag" (the granite vessel). It recalls the legend that the Irish monks, including St. Samson, landed on our shores in stone troughs. This boat, sculpted by Jean Yves Menez in 2000, is 4m long and weighs 3.5 tons and floats ... It even crossed the Rance River! Nominoë, whose statue stands in front of the cathedral is one of the first creators of a unified and independent Brittany. He erected Dol as the religious metropolis of Brittany and was crowned King of Brittany by St Samson in 848. The cathedraloscope, located next door, tells the history of cathedrals and their construction. The city of Dol has an important military (ramparts) and civil (half-timbered houses) heritage. Learn more about the catheteroscope...

Beaufort Abbey
Monastery of Dominican nuns belonging to the Order of Preachers (an apostolic order founded by St Dominic) situated near the pond of Beaufort.To know more about it...

Tronchet Abbey
Nothing remains of the 12th century abbey. The remaining buildings are those of the 17th century Benedictine abbey. Are still visible today the arcades of the cloister, the abbey church and hostelry used today as a place of exhibition. To know more about it...

Dinan
Dinan, a medieval town, surrounded by 3 km of ramparts and its 14th century castle dominate the Rance. Starting from the river, you can reach the town by the steep street of Jerzual and its old shops. In the town centre, there are many timber-framed houses. The heart of Bertrand du Guesclin lies in the Basilica of St Sauveur (12th century). To find out more...

Lehon Abbey
Léhon is a small city of character located in a loop of the Rance river at the foot of the city of Dinan. It has the ruins of an old fortified castle and a Benedictine abbey dedicated to St Magloire whose foundation dates back to the 9th century. Built on the banks of the river Rance, one can discover the abbey church and the cloister, the monks' refectory and the monastery buildings which offer art exhibitions. To find out more about it…

Léhon Castle
The castle is already reported in 1034. It consists of a rectangular enclosure with eight towers. It was razed in 1169 by Henry II, King of England. Its ruins were used to build the cloister.

The Path of the Seven Markers
This ancient medieval or Roman road (former Corseul-Rieux road) has not yet been the subject of archaeological research . It begins with the Cenefut cross (its base would date from the Middle Ages), then, over 1400m, it is marked out with monolithic markers from 1.00m to 1.60m high and separated by about 200m. There are still 6 markers. Several hypotheses have been put forward as to their usefulness, but none has been judged satisfactory.

Lannouée - Commandery of the temple
Built on a high point in the commune of Yvignac, the commandery is mentioned for the first time at the end of the 12th century. With the suppression of the Order of the Temple La Nouée passes to the Order of St John of Jerusalem. It gradually became a central commandery. The nave of the chapel disappeared in the 19th century. The choir (probably the oldest part) was restored in 1980. The site was listed as a historical monument in 1976. Beautiful wayside cross at the crossroads of Bas-Lannouée.

Chapel of St Firmin
The chapel of St Firmin is located in the village of Trélée. Rectangular in plan, it dates from the 18th century, with reconstruction in the 19th century. It is attached to a farm building and contains several wooden statues. The village has many 17th and 18th century houses with engraved stones on the facade.

Church of Yvignac-la-Tour
The old bell tower threatened ruin, it was decided in 1865 to demolish it and replace it with the 32m high tower which was completed in 1874. In 1878 it is the church which threatens to ruin in its turn. It is decided to rebuild it. But on August 1, 1879 the church is classified as a Historical Monument and its restoration is undertaken in 1882. The work will be led by Corroyer, restorer of the Mont St Michel. The precision "the tower" was recently added to the name of the commune of Yvignac to avoid confusion with Yffignac. The visit of the tower is possible by appointment at the town hall. Next to the church is a remarkable 750 year old yew tree. It is completely hollow. On August 15, 2017 a European record was set for the largest number of people in a hollow tree: 58 people managed to enter it simultaneously. At its feet was buried in 1794 the rector Guillaume Gauvin, who died during the Revolution in the village of Lannouée.

Benin Chapel
Chapel in adobe dated 1609 and dedicated to St Yves and St Jean Baptiste. It depended on the commandery of Lannouée. A 15th century granite calvary stands on the cupboard. Part of the chapel has been privatized.

The Abbey of St Méen
The Abbey of Saint-Méen is the oldest abbey of Ille et Vilaine after Saint-Mélaine in Rennes and was founded in the 6th century by Méwen. It was founded in the 6th century by Méwen and was destroyed several times, then the Abbot Hingueton undertook in the 11th century to rebuild it on its present site. It preserves a 12th century Romanesque wall as well as 14th and 15th century frescoes depicting the main stages in the life of the holy founder. The former abbey of Saint-Méen, now the parish church, houses one of the oldest lying down beds in Brittany (11th century). It is said to be the lid of the tomb of Saint Méen. Since 1990, it has been classified as a Historic Monument in its entirety. In the adjoining cemetery is buried Louison Bobet, winner of the Tour de France in 1953, 1954 and 1955 and world champion in 1954. To find out more...

Gravelles Castle
The Château des Gravelles, located on the route de Gaël. It has a turret and two pavilions. It has a private chapel with bell tower. Property of Georget Beschart in 1449, the chapel was founded of masses in the 18th century. Property of the Beschart family in 1449 and 1513.

Castle of Bois de la Roche
The village of Bois de la Roche has the particularity of being located on two communes (Mauron and Néant). It is the central street which makes the border. It was a prosperous village until the Revolution. Its castle dominates the valley of lYvel, but of the ancient fortress dismantled under the Terror, only a quarter remains

Chapel of Kernéant
16th century chapel, restored in the 17th century by Count Henri de Volvire, dedicated to Notre Dame, situated on the top of a hill facing the Brocéliande massif. It is surrounded by five impressive hollow oaks with ghostly shapes classified as "remarkable trees". These trees are said to have served as a hiding place for four young men during the Guilliers raid in January 1944.

The chapel of Crédutel
This chapel, dedicated to Saint Colomban, Saint Cornelly and Saint Nicodemus, was built on the heights to the west of the village in 1711, and was blessed on 27th June 1714. In a dilapidated state, it was restored in 1985 by a preservation association. Forgiveness now takes place every year on the last Sunday of August. The fountain is indicated at the crossroads before the chapel under the name of "Fontaine d'aha", or "Fountain from below" in Gallo. Although still accessible, since the last regrouping of farm properties, the fountain is now located on private land and is no longer maintained. On its base we can guess the date of 1719. It is dedicated to St Colomban and St Nicodemus.

The Lucas Cross
This cross in red shale will mark the place where the two sons of Solomon of Brittany, Gurwan and Pasqwiten, fought in 875. Gurwan, Count of Rennes triumphed over Pascwiten, Count of Vannes; the story goes that the winner died the same evening. The path on which the cross stands was created after the fires of 1976. Old photos show that the cross was 1.50m high and had no base. It was probably damaged during this work,

The Forges of Paimpont
Thanks to the resources of wood, ore and hydraulic power brought by the Etang des Forges and the six others upstream, the Paimpont forges were one of the most important sites in Brittany. It included blast furnaces, a foundry and a rolling mill . After a period of prosperity in the 1830s, decline appeared with the treaty that abolished customs duties with England in 1860. The site closed in 1884. The village also includes the blacksmith's house, a hound farm and a chapel.
To find out more...

Church and cross of Vezin le Coquet
St Peter's Church is of Romanesque foundation. It was given to the canons of Rennes in the 11th century, partly taken over in the 15th century and transformed between 1820 and 1830 by the architects Jean-François Pointeau, Louis Richelot and Lagarde, who redesigned the nave and built the transept and choir. At the end of the 15th century, it was used as a relay for pilgrims going to the monastery of Plélan-le-Grand, The cross, outside the church, is the old cross of the cemetery and is dated from the 16th century,

Old St Stephen's Church
The old church of St. Stephen is mentioned from the 12th century. It was the former chapel of the Augustinian convent. The present building dates from the 15th century. Disused in 1791, it was used as a store by the Military Engineers then bought by the city of Rennes in 1969. It was transformed into a theatre in 1989.

Congress Centre of the Jacobin Convent
The new Rennes Congress Centre, which will open in 2018, has been set up in the former Jacobins convent. The major excavations that were carried out during this project have led to discoveries that shed light on the past of this area. To find out more...

St Aubin Church, Basilica of Our Lady of Good News.
This church, erected as a basilica on August 6, 1906, was built between 1884 and 1904 to replace an older building. It remained unfinished. To find out more...

Parliament of Brittany in Rennes
The parliament of Brittany is the assembly constituted since the 13th century by the sovereign dukes of Brittany. Initially under the name of "General Parliament" it became a parliament of the Ancien Régime of France created - in its final form - in March 1554 by an edict of Henri II, at the request of the Bretons. It is entirely financed by Brittany. The assembly sat permanently in the Palace of the Parliament of Brittany in Rennes from 1655 until its dissolution by the French Revolution in February 1790 (except for an exile in Vannes from 1675 to 1690). The Parliament and the States of Brittany are suppressed by the revolutionaries without the approval of the Bretons, replaced by a General Council for each department of Brittany.More information Wikipedia

Place des Lices
This square was originally located outside the city walls. A tournament site, Bertrand Du Guesclin, won his first fights there in 1327. To avoid the spread of a plague epidemic in 1622, it was decided to move the markets there and many private mansions were built there. The present market halls were built between 1868 and 1871 by Jean-Baptiste Martenot. To find out more...

Les Portes Mordelaises
Remains of the city walls, the Portes Mordelaises were one of the main entrances. The present buildings date from the 15th century. An important operation of safeguarding and enhancement was undertaken by the City a few years ago. To find out more...

Rennes Cathedral
Located in the historic city, the cathedral of Rennes, dedicated to St Peter, is the seat of the archdiocese of Rennes, Dol and St Malo. Construction of the present building began in 1787 and was completed in 1844. More information...

Pont de Pont Réan
This elegant schist bridge has nine arches, the fifth marking the boundary between Bruz and Guichen. The bridge dates from Roman Gaul, but was rebuilt between 1753 and 1767. Situated on the Vilaine river, the Pont-Réan bridge is a pleasant place where walkers, whether on foot, by bike or by canoe, like to make a stop. It is also the ideal starting point to discover Bruz and the waterway, thanks to the various facilities on the site (parking, shops...). Finally, for the curious, who wonder about the origin of the name of this bridge, some say that the word "réant" would come from "reance" (ransom) in relation to the toll that was collected there, but if we believe the Celtic toponymy, "réan" would be the derivative of "ran": the frog.

Moulin du Boël
Situated in a very steep area of the Vilaine, the Moulin du Boël was built in 1652. It is particular with its bow shape. It was used until the First World War. Heavily damaged during a storm in 1952, it was restored, with the help of local associations, by the municipality to which it now belongs

Pléchâtel
Situated on a promontory, Pléchâtel dominates the Vilaine by more than 60m. A carved calvary from the 15th century, classified as a historical monument, decorates the town hall square. The path going down to the Vilaine is dotted with oratories and statues.

Chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat
Chapel built in sandstone in 1879, for the viscount of Bouëxit following a vow made during a naval battle in Spain. It is situated on the edge of the rocks overlooking the Vilaine.

St Malo de Phily
Situated at an altitude of 85m, St Malo de Phily dominates the deep valley of La Vilaine. Its church was built in 1900. Its vault is made up of brick domes. It is known for the frescoes which decorate the choir and which describe the foundation of the village. Around the year 700, monks who brought back from Saintes where he was buried, the relics of St Malo (his skull and his right arm), stopped in this place. Fily, the local chief, was then cured of his illness and gave the name of Malo to the village. The frescoes in the choir were painted in 1933 by Émile Bernard.

Chapel Notre Dame du Bon Port.
The chapel was built in 1644 by Jean Le Marchand, Sieur de Tréguily, following a vow made to Notre Dame for having protected its salt stocks during the floods of the Vilaine.

Corbinières Viaduct
Viaduct of the railway line between Rennes and Redon built between 1858 and 1861 in ashlar. It is 139m long and 30m high. Its oblique arches to resist the current make it a remarkable work of art. Two of its pillars shelter bats.

Ste Agathe Chapel
In antiquity, Gallo-Roman thermal baths with apse in cul de four including a painted decoration of the 2nd century discovered in 1839 and representing "Venus at the toilet", then transformed into a church in the 6th century dedicated to St Vernier then into a funeral chapel, the chapel Ste Agathe is classified as a historical monument.

Church of Langon
Romanesque church built at the beginning of the 10th century by the monks of St Sauveur de Redon and enlarged in the following centuries. Its bell tower with its twelve bells symbolizes the twelve apostles around the Eternal Father. In the North apsidiole, 13th and 14th century mural painting. It is dedicated to St Peter and Paul and partially listed as a Historic Monument. It has just been totally restored.

Roman road
This section of road, which is curved and paved with shale and sandstone, is about 100 metres long and 4 metres wide and is known in the collective memory as the "Roman road". It is said to have linked Nantes to Corseul. However, no element has been found to certify its Roman rather than medieval origin.

Church of Guémené Penfao
The first church in Guémené Penfao was badly damaged by a fire during the Revolution in a fight between Royalists and Revolutionaries. It was only very late (1841) and partially restored. The increase in population led to the construction of a new church in 1879. The first stone was laid on 21 September 1884 and the first mass was celebrated on 4 July 1886. The large dimensions of the building imposed an atypical Nor-South orientation to adapt to the terrain. The originally planned 60m bell tower was never built. In front of the church, there is a statue and a stele recalling the situation of Guémené 1600km from Santiago de Compostela.

St. Anne's Chapel of the Holy Places
The chapel of the Holy Places or Lessaint is built on the site of a former leper colony. Located on the old Roman road between Blain and Guémené, it dominates the Don valley. It has several frescoes. Pilgrimage to Ste Anne on the last Sunday of July.

The Cross of the Four Lands
On the Roman road between Portus Bablini (Blain) and Condate (Rennes), on the edge of the forest of Gâvre stands this Latin cross, erected in 1850 in granite. Its trunk, of orthogonal section, is placed on a masonry base with a blue schist entablature. On each side of the base are engraved the names of the communes that meet in this place (Marsac, Vay, Gâvre and Guenouvri which is now part of the commune of Guéméné).

Village of Le Gâvre
The Gâvre is intimately linked to the history of France and Brittany. Its castle was razed to the ground by Olivier de Clisson during the War of the Succession of Brittany in 1364. The 4500ha state-owned forest is of great importance in the development of the region as shown by the old houses of the village such as the Forest Museum, installed in the "Maison du haut de la ville" built in schist in 1648. At the end of the 19th century, two railway lines served Gâvre. The last trains stopped in 1976.