Page 73 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

ILLE-E T-VILAINE  71

The church, built in the
15th and 16th centuries,
has unusual Renaissance
choir stalls (1525) with
carvings depicting the Seven
Deadly Sins. The dark blue
barrel-vaulted ceiling and
15th-century stained-glass
windows are also notable.
Environs
La Roche-aux-Fées stands
15 km (9 miles) west of La
Guerche-de-Bretagne. It was
built during the third millenium
BC and is one of the most
The Chapelle Ste-Agathe, dedicated to Venus, in Langon important dolmens in France.
It consists of 41 stones, some
5 Langon 7 La Guerche- of which weigh 45 tonnes,
Road map E3. 20 km (13 miles) de-Bretagne and is 19.5 m (64 ft) long and
northeast of Redon via the D177 then Road map F3. 20 km (12.5 miles) 4 m (13 ft) high. The interior
the D55. * 1,300. south of Vitré via the D178. * 4,090. contains four chambers. How
and why it was built has still
This small town is separated n 4 Rue du Cheval Blanc; (02) 99 96 not been determined.
30 78. ( Tue.
from the Vilaine river by The ponds and wood around
marshland known as the Marais On the border with Normandy, Martigné-Ferchaud, 15 km
de l’Étier. The Chapelle Ste- La Guerche-de-Bretagne is (9 miles) south of La Roche-
Agathe is a rare survival from one of the fortified towns that aux-Fées, have become a
the Gallo-Roman period. It is once defended the borders sanctuary for migratory birds.
dedicated to Venus and, behind of Brittany. Its geographical The Étang de la Forge is a haven
the altar, there is a fresco location also made it an for ducks, coots and small
depicting Venus rising from the important centre of commerce, waders. The pond is named after
waves and Eros astride a dolphin. and it was especially renowned the former ironworks, dating
The Église St-Pierre is worth a for its linen trade (see p110). from 1672, found nearby.
visit for its unusual bell tower, The market that takes place
which features 12 bell-turrets. here each week was first held R Collégiale Notre-Dame
On the Lande du Moulin in 1121 and is one of the oldest Place Charles-de-Gaulle.
stands an alignment of menhirs in France. Tel (02) 99 96 30 78. Open daily.
known as the Demoiselles de Half-timbered houses 8 by request, phone the
Langon. According to legend, that date from the 16th tourist office. &
young girls who chose to dance and 17th centuries line the  La Roche-aux-Fées
on the heath rather than attend main square. The many gables From La Guerche-de-Bretagne, take
vespers were punished by on the Collégiale Notre- the D178 towards Chateaubriant then
being turned to stone. Dame are fine examples of the D47 towards Retiers and the D41
the Flamboyant Gothic style towards Janzé. The site is 2 km (1 mile)
of Upper Brittany (see p27). from Retiers. Open daily. Open access.
6 Grand-Fougeray
Road map E3. 30 km (18.5 miles)
northeast of Redon, via the D177 then
the D54. * 4,125.
The Tour du Guesclin is all
that remains of the medieval
castle that once stood in Grand-
Fougeray. The fortress belonged
to the Rieux family, allies of Jean
IV, Duke of Brittany, against the
constable (chief military officer)
Olivier de Clisson. In 1350, an
English sea captain took the
castle. Bertrand du Guesclin
(see p47) and his men later
recaptured it for France and
ever since it has borne his name. La Roche-aux-Fées, one of Brittany’s mysterious megalithic monuments

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