Poullaouen: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Poullaouen combines evidence of sacred architectural history with circular walks and traces of its mining history. Between churches, chapels, historic sites and paths along the Aulne, a multifaceted picture of the town emerges.

Culture and history

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul dates from the 17th century and was restored in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its façade and bell tower have been protected as historic monuments since 21 December 1914.

The Chapel of Saint Victor was rebuilt in 1865 on the site of an older chapel and restored in 1936 and 1998. It is associated with a spring and is a building in the neoclassical style. The Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Paradis was first mentioned in 1572 and completely rebuilt in 1830.

The Chapel of Saint Sebastian was built in the 16th century. Its annual pardon includes a Mass, games, a meal and a fest-noz, and attracts more than 500 people every year. At the Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Paradis, a pardon with a procession, Mass and the gathering of around one hundred horses was traditionally celebrated on Whit Monday; spontaneous races then took place.

The Chapel of Saint Ambrose was built in the 17th century. It has reused tracery from the chancel window dating from the 16th century; its bell tower was probably rebuilt in the 19th century. The chapel belongs to the Monts d’Arrée site, which covers several municipalities and has been designated a “site inscrit” since 10 January 1966.

The Chapel of Saint Thudec was built towards the end of the 18th century as a former tréviale church. Its roof was restored as part of a volunteer-led restoration project that began in 1970; the small bell tower was rebuilt stone by stone.

Tymeur Castle includes a 16th-century dovecote bearing the coats of arms of Charles de Ploeuc and Marie de Saint-Gouesnou, as well as a basin from the late 16th century bearing the coats of arms of Kergolay, Rosmadec and Ploeuc. The castle’s present residential building dates from the early 19th century.

The Armorican grave stele at Place de l’église in Poullaouen is considered the only known example to date made of slate. The Calvary at Kerbizien depicts Saint Peter with keys and Saint Mary Magdalene.

In Locmaria-Berrien, the Maison de la Mine presents an exhibition on the history of mining, geology, and ore processing and smelting. The exhibition includes explanatory panels, minerals, tools, models and videos in French and English. During the season, guided tours of the Maison de la Mine and the mine site are offered on Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Paths and landscape

The Le Bois de Lemezec circular route offers walking options of 5, 12 and 14 kilometres, taking approximately 1.5, 3 and 3.5 hours respectively. The route follows a forest track along the Aulne and reaches a highest point of 162 metres.

The Le Petit Train circular route is 12 kilometres long and takes approximately three hours. It is suitable for walking and cycling, is marked with yellow signs and starts at the church square. Its route follows a railway line that has been closed since 1967, crosses the Aulne on a bridge dating from 1860 and connects to the GR47.

Other places

Other local pages: Hanvec, Plonéis, Loc-Eguiner, Motreff, Kerlouan, Plonévez-Porzay, Lilia, Plomodiern

To the higher-level travel overview: Finistere.