In Comblessac, architectural and pilgrimage history sit alongside the Les Coteaux de l’Aff trail. This gives you a choice of different focuses for your stay: from chapels and churches with clearly dated histories to a trail with a specified distance and duration.
Pilgrimage and Church Architecture
Pilgrimages to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de Lorette have been documented since the 14th century. The chapel was rebuilt in 1883 in place of an older 17th-century shrine. Its Neo-Gothic design is evident in features including the bell turret on the façade, the polygonal apse and the rib-vaulted ceilings. Here, a long pilgrimage tradition meets a distinctive architectural style.
Pilgrimages to Notre-Dame des Brûlais also continue to this day. It is a religious landmark in its own right, alongside Notre-Dame de Lorette. When choosing a cultural focus, it is therefore worth treating the two pilgrimage sites as separate stops: Lorette is associated with its documented history dating back to the 14th century and its reconstruction in 1883; at Notre-Dame des Brûlais, the continuing pilgrimage is the central point of reference.
The parish church of Saint-Eloi was built in 1850 to plans by Louis Leray and consecrated on 10 May 1852. It has a Latin cross layout and a single-nave main body. The bell tower, topped with a slate spire, rises above the entrance portal. The choir has a flat end, with a two-storey sacristy attached to the side. The different architectural elements offer you concrete points of reference for appreciating church architecture as a distinct facet of the town’s history.
Ancient Traces and Wayside Crosses
Among the older historical traces is the Heptagone du Mur: the remains of a Gallo-Roman temple of the fanum type, located on a hill. The Voie d’Ahès, a Celtic road, is another local history landmark. A section of this road is clearly visible on the road to Quelneuc.
The Croix Bouëxic is carved from a single block of slate and may date from the late 15th or early 16th century. Its octagonal shaft has arms at the back; its form includes a double wreath of opposing teardrops. The figure of Christ is roughly carved from the stone. Its uncertain dating remains open: the cross may date from either of the two periods mentioned.
The Croix de mission de 1924 is different. This octagonal slate monolith is described as having a halo set on top, incised in the middle, and four visible teardrops. It stands in the town centre on the road towards Guer. Sainte-Anne de Craon was rebuilt in 1756. The Chapelle Saint-Conwoïon was built in the late 19th century near the remains of Conwoïon’s birthplace.
The Les Coteaux de l’Aff Trail
The CO1 Les Coteaux de l’Aff trail starts at the Place de la mairie in Comblessac. It is 12.4 kilometres long, with a stated duration of three hours. The route passes a meander of the Aff and part of the voie verte. This offers a different way to spend your time than exploring churches, chapels and historic buildings: the trail has a clearly defined timeframe and route length.
The Chapelle Sainte-Anne is also located along the trail. It has been restored and is topped by an elegant bell turret. This stop connects the trail with another architectural landmark without replacing the distinct themes of the other churches and chapels. The Chapelle Sainte-Anne de Craon is different from the chapel along the trail; it was rebuilt in 1756.
For planning purposes, two figures are particularly useful: the CO1 trail’s three hours and 12.4 kilometres. Compare this trail with the interest in historic buildings, for which no duration is specified, when choosing the focus of your stay. This way, you can decide whether to explore Comblessac mainly through its pilgrimage and architectural history or through the trail—or make time for both.
Discover more destinations: Argentré-Du-Plessis, La Fresnais, Piré-sur-Seiche, Sainte-Anne-sur-Vilaine, Roz-Sur-Couesnon, La Couyère, Bruz, La Baussaine.
For the overview of the wider region: Ille-Et-Vilaine.
