Kernilis: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

A distinctive combination of local history and activity is offered by the Boucle de l’If: The signposted circular trail begins at the Place de la mairie near the yew tree of Kernilis. It is more than 400 years old, still thriving, and has a circumference of 3.8 m. The Boucle de l’If is an easy 8.8 km circular route for hiking, horse riding, and mountain biking; the stated walking time is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Trails and landscape

The Boucle de l’If can be extended in the direction of Aber Wrac’h. There, walks are possible through the mill valley, in the undergrowth, or along the banks. The route also leads towards the former Château de Carman and makes it possible to continue there.

Church and local history

The parish church of Kernilis was built in 1866 according to plans by the Brest architect Bourdais. One distinctive feature is the design of its visible roof structure. The old part of the church tower dates from the 17th century, more precisely from 1637, and was repaired after being struck by lightning on 11 December 1827.

There are 15 crosses recorded in Kernilis. Some marked the boundaries between parishes or served as signposts to pilgrimage sites. According to the parish archives, the yew trees in the cemetery were planted during the time of the League by François de Maillé de Carman as a sign of submission to Henri IV.

About 1 km southwest of the centre of Kernilis is a medieval motte. Only a few remains of the old Château de Carman survive at its site.

At the far northern end of the municipality of Kernilis, in Kerscao on the edge of the Roman road from Carhaix to Plouguerneau, there once stood a milestone of the Roman Emperor Claudius I (Tiberius Drusus). The former location of the Kerscao milestone was identified in 1983 and marked by erecting a small stone.

Other local pages

Other local pages: Huelgoat, Brignogan, Berrien, Plouzane, Hanvec, Châteauneuf-Du-Faou, Plougasnou, Edern.

To the main travel overview: Finistere.