Caulnes brings together several distinct reasons to visit: a church with different construction phases, crosses and memorial sites, and trails in the surrounding countryside. There is also a producers’ market offering a variety of foods. When planning your stay, consider whether your main interest is architectural and memorial history, outdoor activities or a visit to the market. The town’s location on the Rance and along the Roman road linking Corseul with Durétie provides a geographical and historical context.
Church and architectural history
The Church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul is partially listed as a historic monument. Its sections date from the late 15th or 16th century; the bell tower porch bears the year 1769. These different dates indicate separate construction phases rather than a single year of construction. Anyone interested in architectural history will find both an early phase with an approximate date and a specific date attached to one part of the building. The Manoir du Verger is another historical point of interest: its façades and roofs were placed under heritage protection in 1980.
Crosses and memorial sites
The church calvary is a covered cross dating from the 15th century. It depicts the Virgin Mary, Christ and other figures. La croix du Verger also dates from the 15th century, but has a double crossbar. La croix de la Maladrie is a cross from the 16th century; its presumed connection with a leper hospital remains uncertain. The crosses can therefore be distinguished by their dates, forms and depictions.
In the cemetery, the Carré religieux brings together the remains of former parish priests. The graves known as the Couple romantique are shaped like granite coffins and topped with two hunchbacked crosses. The focus here is both on a shared memorial site and on the distinctive design of individual graves. Before planning a visit, check locally whether the cemetery is accessible.
Mill and outdoor trails
The Moulin des Prés stands beside a branch of the Rance known as the “Rance des moulins.” It is accessible and, since 2024, has been included in walking trails and guided tours with commentary. Confirm access arrangements before planning a visit. Another option is the Circuit des croix, which leads to six crosses and offers a chance to discover the commune’s rural landscapes. When choosing between the two, consider what interests you most: the mill site and guided tours are the focus at the Moulin, while the Circuit features six crosses and the surrounding landscape. Also check route conditions before setting out.
Producers’ market in Caulnes
The AMAP “Marché de producteurs” holds a producers’ market on the second Monday of each month. Visitors can sample new products and talk with producers about how they are made. A product list published on 4 January 2024 mentions vegetables, honey, eggs, ice cream, fresh pasta, mushrooms, beer, bread, brioche and biscuits; individual producers and products may change. If you would like to include a market visit in your travel plans, confirm the date in advance. This adds a direct insight into local producers’ offerings to your discoveries of Caulnes’ history and landscapes.
Discover more destinations: Lanvallay, Illifaut, Trévé, Canihuel, Saint-Connan, Plougrescant, Dolo, Pleudaniel.
For the regional travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
