Maël-Carhaix: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Maël-Carhaix combines the history of slate mining with sacred art, a remarkable plant collection and a signposted cycling route.

Culture and history

The Moulin-Lande slate quarry opened around 1890 and was operated via an underground shaft; it finally closed in 2000. The slate museum in Maël-Carhaix displays tools from the slate quarries, historical photographs and numerous stories from the town’s mining past.

The history of the town also includes Saint-Pierre Church: it was almost completely reconstructed in 1888 and 1894 according to plans by Le Guerranic. In 1977, stained-glass artist Pierre Toulhoat decorated its windows with stained glass depicting the Passion, the history of the Virgin Mary, Saint Barbara and Saint Catherine; another window depicts the church fire of 1973.

On the south side of Saint-Pierre Church stands a Roman milestone apparently dating from the reign of Septimius Severus (193–211). It was found within the municipality in 1873 and once marked the connecting road between Carhaix, the ancient Vorgium and capital of the Osismii, and Corseul, the capital of the Coriosolites.

The Breton bard Glenmor, an important figure in contemporary Breton chanson and a committed defender of Breton culture, was born in Maël-Carhaix in 1931.

Nature and gardens

The Jardins de Kervézennec are open year-round and free to access. They include an exceptional collection of aquatic and waterside plants. Exhibitions and events are regularly held there, enriching the visit.

Paths through the countryside

In the slate valley of the Bois de Mezle, a 2 km circular trail with information panels leads through the history of slate mining. The Bois de Mezle is known as the “valley of the slate quarries” and offers insights into the lives and work of slate workers.

The V406 is a signposted, predominantly paved cycling route of approximately 120 km between Carhaix and Saint-Méen-le-Grand, described as easy. The former railway line through Maël-Carhaix has been converted into a Voie Verte.

Discover more destinations: Le Bodéo, Morieux, Kermaria-Sulard, Plouvara, Gouarec, Ploulech, Langrolay-Sur-Rance, Calanhel

To the main travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.