In Saint-Gildas, two easy walking routes of almost equal length and several historic local attractions offer different reasons to stay. This makes the area appealing if you would like to combine walks with cultural history. To help plan your day, distinguish between the two routes by their starting points and destinations: one starts and ends in Saint-Gildas, while the other is a circular walk starting from the town hall square. Other attractions mentioned include the Menhir de Keranhouët and the Étang du Quellennec with its castle ruins.
Comparing Two Easy Walking Routes
The Circuit du château d'eau is an easy, 10.2-kilometre walking route that starts and ends in Saint-Gildas. It is signposted from the town hall with green waymarkers. Le Rozio, a small spring, lies along the route. The Circuit de la chapelle de Kerdrouallan is an easy 10.3-kilometre circular walk starting from the town hall square. It leads to the Notre-Dame de Kerdrouallan chapel and its nearby spring, and offers views across the countryside.
The routes differ in length by just 0.1 kilometres, and both are rated easy. The named destinations are therefore a more useful distinction when choosing between them: Le Rozio lies on the Circuit du château d'eau, while the other route includes a chapel, spring, and countryside views. You can choose your walk according to which of these features best suits your stay, rather than distinguishing between routes with such similar lengths.
Notre-Dame de Kerdrouallan: Building History and the Pardon
The Notre-Dame de Kerdrouallan chapel brings together several aspects of cultural history. It was built in the 15th century and enlarged around 1740. The chapel contains several statues from the 16th and 17th centuries, and two large griffins guard the entrance. Its building phases, furnishings, and entrance design offer different perspectives on the same religious building.
The Pardon rite is also part of the chapel's history. Its restoration in the 1990s went hand in hand with the revival of the rite, including a procession and a gathering at the spring.
Menhir, Cross, and Ancient Roads
The Menhir de Keranhouët is located in La Grande Lande in Saint-Gildas and has been protected as a historic monument since 23 September 1965. The Croix de Rhundault is considered one of the region's largest surviving monolithic crosses from the early Middle Ages. It stands on a former Gallo-Roman road, which now forms the municipal boundary between Saint-Gildas and Le Leslay. A Roman road at Kernanouet is also among Saint-Gildas's tourist attractions.
These local attractions offer different historical perspectives: the menhir's protected status is associated with a specific date, while the Croix de Rhundault is notable for its traditional classification and location on the former road. The Roman road at Kernanouet is another named landmark in the area's history.
Étang du Quellennec
The Étang du Quellennec, with the castle ruins, is also among Saint-Gildas's tourist attractions. Alongside the walking routes and religious buildings, a pond and its associated castle ruins provide another distinct point of interest to consider when choosing your stay.
Discover more destinations: Le Quillio, Pléneuf-Val-André, La Motte, Trédrez-Locquémeau, Lanmodez, Kerpert, Vildé-Guingalan, Camlez.
For the broader travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
