Page 112 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - France

110 BACK ROADS FRANCE

2 Le Roc’h Trévézel
Finistère, Bretagne; 29410
The rocky outcrops and stunted
heather of the massif of the Monts
d’Arrée form the wildest part of the
Parc Naturel Régional d’Armorique –
France’s second-oldest national park
created in 1969. The Roc’h Trévézel
(383 m/1,257 ft) is its second-highest
point, and is known for its vistas of
barren ridges, denuded hills and
hedged farmland. Descending
towards the Montagne St-Michel, the
rocky escarpments are softened by
forested valleys and streams. Also
worth a vist is the Domaine de
Ménez-Meur (open daily May–Sep),
Above Sign showing the direction to Le which has flora and fauna trails, a
Roc’h Trévézel Above right Crêperie in a stone 1 Sizun short drive from Le Roc’h Trévézel.
house in Locronan Below Communal well Finistère, Bretagne; 29450 ª From Le Roc’h Trévézel, continue
of Locronan Sizun is a stunning ensemble of high on the D785, then turn right onto
walls, church towers and city gates. the D42. Domaine de Ménez-Meur
The parish enclosure, l’Enclos is off the D42 between the village of
Paroissial Saint-Suliau, is classified as a St-Rivoal and the commune of
historic monument. Named after a Rumengol. To reach Le Faou, continue
WHERE TO STAY Welsh monk, it comprises the church, along the D42.
which was built between the 16th and
DOUARNENEZ 18th centuries, a sacristy and a 56-m Ronan’s Hermitage
Le Clos de Vallombreuse moderate (184-ft) tower. The centrepiece of the Locronan’s name comes from Locus
This elegant early 1900s house has, parish is the arched gateway, l’Arc de Ronani – sacred place of Ronan –
spacious rooms with classical furnish- Triomphe, considered to be a jewel of after a 7th-century Irish bishop.
ings. There are also large gardens, a Breton Renaissance art. A replica of it Ronan came to Finistère to spread
salon and a swimming pool. Christianity among the locals who
7 rue d’Estienne d’Orves, 29100; 02 98 graced Paris’ Jardins des Tuileries for practiced Druidism. He built a forest
92 63 64; www.closvallombreuse.com the 1989 bicentenary celebrations of hermitage in Bois de Nevet where
the French Revolution. Outside the
Hotel Ty Mad moderate–expensive traces of the Druids’ sacred site, Le
In a revamped 16th-century vicarage town, along the D764, is Ecomusée Nemeton, still exist.
the old stone building of Ty Mad has des Monts d’Arrée (open daily Jul–Aug;
been revamped with lots of white closed Sat Mar–Jun and Sep–Oct), with
decor, 15 eclectically styled rooms, displays on ethnology and history. 3 Le Faou
exotic furnishings, a gorgeous garden
and a contemporary art gallery. ª Exit Sizun and take the D764 Finistère, Bretagne; 29590
Plage St Jean, Treboul, 29100; 02 98 74 passing through Commana, then At the head of the Aulne river,
00 53; www.hoteltymad.com turn right onto the D785. the main street of Le Faou, Rue du
Général de Gaulle, is lined with
gable-roofed granite and schist
houses. The buildings have exquisite
decorative details – corbelled features
of carved wood and stone projecting
from the façades – and small, pretty
windows. Opposite the town’s port,
the Gothic steeple of Saint-Sauveur
is reflected in the river. Just east of
town near the Cranou forest, the
Église de Rumengol is a historic
monument – an eclectic mix of
Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque
styles – built on a Druidic site.
ª Take the N165; then exit to the
right onto the D770 and pass through
Châteaulin, take the D7 on the left
and continue via Kergoat to Locronan.