Page 70 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

68  BRIT T AN Y REGION B Y REGION

The Château de Trécesson, built in the late 14th century and surrounded by a moat
2 Paimpont southeast of Paimpont on the supposed to have nursed
D773, are vestiges of the village’s people suffering from foolish
Road map E3. 30 km (18.5 miles)
south of Rennes via the N24 then the former iron and steel industry, thoughts. Take the interactive
D38. £ Rennes. * 1,385. n Place which began in 1663. The trail from the Paimpont tourist
du Roi Judicaël, Paimpont; (02) 99 07 foundries declined after the rise office through the forest.
84 23. _ Pardon (Whitsun). of the iron and steel industry in
∑ tourisme-broceliande.bzh northern and eastern France. Environs
At Coëtquidan is the École
The village grew up around 3 Forêt de de St-Cyr, a military academy.
an abbey founded in the The Musée des Souvenirs des
7th century. Of this, only the Paimpont Écoles here displays gifts
13th-century abbey church Road map E3. Around Paimpont. from prominent alumni, such
and a 17th-century building, n Place du Roi Judicaël, Paimpont; as the statesman General de
now the village hall, survive. (02) 99 07 84 23. Gaulle (1890–1970). The un-
The abbey church features usual Chapelle de Tréhorenteuc,
Romanesque elements, a This woodland, the Forêt de 14 km (9 miles) west of
Gothic rose window and some Brocéliande of Celtic legend, Paimpont, contains mosaics
17th-century woodcarvings. The was originally the extensive and stained-glass windows
village is the starting point for forest that once covered almost on the theme of the Round
hikes in the Forêt de Brocéliande, all of inland Brittany. Today, the Table. This is the starting point
with its many oaks and beeches. woodland around Paimpont for the Promenade du Val-sans-
is all that remains and it is Retour (Valley of No Return),
Environs peppered with sites that have dwelling place of Morgan le Fay,
Industrial buildings at Forges- kept Arthurian legends alive. Arthur’s half-sister, who trapped
de-Paimpont, 6 km (4 miles) The Château de Comper, where unfaithful men here. Passing
the fairy Vivian is supposed to the lake known as the Étang du
have lived, houses the Centre Miroir-aux-Fées, the path leads
de l’Imaginaire Arthurien, up onto moorland and then
where exhibitions and shows on through the valley. Further
take place, and from which south, look out for views of
walks are organized. Rebuilt in the 14th-century red schist
the 18th century in Renaissance Château de Trécesson.
style, the building features
three 14th-century towers. + Centre de l’Imaginaire
The D31 leads northeast to Arthurien
Merlin’s Tomb and the Fountain Château de Comper. Tel (02) 97 22 79
of Youth. The tree above the 96. Open Mar–Jun, Sep: Thu–Mon;
tomb is filled with strange Jul–Aug: daily. &
offerings. From the hamlet of + Château de Trécesson
Folle Pensée, a short walk leads Closed to the public.
to the Fontaine de Barenton, E Musée des Souvenirs des
into which young women once Écoles
Forêt de Paimpont, vestige of the legendary cast pins in order to find a Coëtquidan, Guer. Tel (02) 97 70
Forêt de Brocéliande husband. Here, druids are 77 52. Open Tue–Sun. Closed Jan. &
For hotels and restaurants see pp224–5 and pp234–5

068-069_EW_Brittany.indd 68 11/3/16 12:42 PM