Laillé is characterised by hills and valleys; the Vallée de la Vilaine forms the town’s western boundary. Nature and local history sit side by side here. Visitors considering Laillé as a destination will find a range of points of interest: interconnected natural areas, routes with their own distinctive landscapes and views, and traces of history stretching far back into the past.
Natural Areas and Landscape
Laillé has 17 ecologically significant natural areas (MNIE), connected by two large natural corridors (GEN). Alongside this network, the wildlife gives these areas a distinctive character: they are home to rare or threatened species, including the yellowhammer, nightjar and red-backed shrike. The Vallée de la Vilaine forms the natural boundary between Laillé and Guichen for 3.5 km. Together with its hills and valleys, Laillé’s landscape is defined both by its relief and its named natural areas; on the section near Laillé, the GR39 offers views over the valleys of the Vilaine from various viewpoints.
Routes and Viewpoints
The named routes differ in terrain and location. The Circuit de la Chapelle is hilly and wooded. The Circuit de la Vallée runs south of the town centre, while the Circuit du bourg follows the edge of the centre. Both routes offer views of Rennes and the Vallée de la Vilaine. This makes it possible to compare the southern location of the Circuit de la Vallée and the route along the edge of the centre taken by the Circuit du bourg, which share views of the same landmarks; the Circuit de la Chapelle, by contrast, is distinguished by its hilly, wooded terrain.
The routes of other trails are also clearly described: the GR39 crosses the Vilaine and then climbs to the heights of Laillé. The 31 km Vélo Promenade – La Vallée de la Vilaine cycling route also leads to these heights. Different details are useful for orientation here: for the GR39, it is the sequence of river crossing and ascent, while the cycling route also has a stated total length.
Menhir and Pilgrimage Tradition
The earliest traces of human presence in the Laillé area date back to around 4000 BC. The Menhir de la Roche qui Chôme was erected by the first farmers. Around 1869, it was toppled during a search for treasure. These two details bring together widely separated aspects of its history: its early construction and the much later disturbance of the stone.
The pilgrimage of Le Désert began around the 17th century. To this day, on 15 August, a procession connects the centre of Laillé with the Chapelle du Désert. The Fête de la Saint-Michel remains one of the highlights of Laillé’s events calendar. If you would like to plan your trip around this festival, check the latest event dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Malo, Antrain, Sainte-Anne-sur-Vilaine, Saint-Grégoire, Étrelles, Treffendel, Cuguen, La Couyère
Return to the main travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.
