Discover Rieux: History, Vilaine and Holiday Rentals

Rieux takes you far back into the history of the town: as early as antiquity, the place was known by the name Duretie. Between the château, church, Roman road and Vilaine, you can combine several themes for your trip planning or consider them separately.

History and Architecture

Jean Ier de Rieux founded the Couvent des Trinitaires on 16 January 1345; its west wing has survived to this day. Château de Rieux and its surroundings in Rieux have been designated a classified site since 12 October 1971. The section of the Roman road at Kermaria and its surroundings in Rieux have likewise been designated a classified site since 12 October 1971. The ruins of Château de Rieux were restored in 1998. An interpretation trail with information panels presents the history of Château de Rieux. When planning cultural highlights, you can distinguish between surviving structures, designated sites, restored ruins and information panels.

Church

In the town centre stands the parish church of Saint-Melaine, with the layout of a Latin cross. It was built in the 17th century and partially destroyed during the last war. As a rebuilt church, Saint-Melaine was inaugurated on 23 September 1956.

Landscape and Trails

The Circuit du Val de Vilaine begins at the Kadudal car park at the top of Rue du Château. It passes through different landscapes, including open agricultural countryside, woodland and the marshlands of the Vilaine. It also passes through the pine forests and heathlands of Tréfin and follows an old Roman road that connected Vannes and Angers via Rieux, which was then called Durétie. The name Tréfin derives from the Gallo-Roman expression “tre(s) fin”, meaning “boundaries” or “border areas”. For planning purposes, you can place open agricultural countryside, woodland, heathland and marshland side by side as distinct landscape themes; the historic road connection provides a separate focus.

Vilaine and Special Places

The Escale Nautique is located on the Vilaine opposite the château and offers a view of the river. For your planning, you can note the Escale Nautique’s connection with the river and the view of the château as two separate reference points. Following its renovation, La Boucelaye became a venue for weddings, receptions, banquets, family gatherings, seminars and exhibitions.

When choosing a holiday rental in Rieux, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages. For the content of your itinerary, the historic sites, the Circuit du Val de Vilaine and the Vilaine landscape can also be considered as separate highlights.

Other Places

Other places: Baden, Sulniac, Plescop, Saint-Jacut-les-Pins, Bohal, Landévant, Pontivy, Saint-Servant

Tradition

On 6 November, a procession leads to the Fontaine Saint Melaine to celebrate the saint’s feast day.

To the main travel overview: Morbihan.