11. from Messac to Le Pont Réan
We continue the ascent of the Vilaine. Its valley narrows in places and schist cliffs appear. Pretty houses can sometimes be glimpsed between the trees. The route is always punctuated by locks and sluices.
4 points of interest
- Cultural
St Malo de Phily
Situated at an altitude of 85m, St Malo de Phily dominates the deep valley of La Vilaine.
Its church was built in 1900. Its vault is made up of brick domes. It is known for the frescoes which decorate the choir and which describe the foundation of the village.
Around the year 700, monks who brought back from Saintes where he was buried, the relics of St Malo (his skull and his right arm), stopped in this place. Fily, the local chief, was then cured of his illness and gave the name of Malo to the village.
The frescoes in the choir were painted in 1933 by Émile Bernard. - Cultural
Chapel of Our Lady of Montserrat
Chapel built in sandstone in 1879, for the viscount of Bouëxit following a vow made during a naval battle in Spain. It is situated on the edge of the rocks overlooking the Vilaine.
- Tourist
Pléchâtel
Situated on a promontory, Pléchâtel dominates the Vilaine by more than 60m. A carved calvary from the 15th century, classified as a historical monument, decorates the town hall square.
The path going down to the Vilaine is dotted with oratories and statues. - Tourist
Moulin du Boël
Situated in a very steep area of the Vilaine, the Moulin du Boël was built in 1652. It is particular with its bow shape. It was used until the First World War. Heavily damaged during a storm in 1952, it was restored, with the help of local associations, by the municipality to which it now belongs
Description
From the chapel, go towards the bridge and at the beginning of the bridge, take the towpath which runs along La Vilaine on the left.
- Follow the towpath. After the passage near the lock of Macaire, and the passage under the road bridge, take on the left the path marked out in red and white in the direction of St Malo de Phily. At the hamlet of La Bruère, take the road on the left and immediately turn right into the path that goes up. At the crossroads with the rue d'Aleth, turn right and reach the church square.
- In front of the church, continue straight ahead on the rue des Renardières, pass in front of the cemetery, and turn left on the marked out path in the direction of the chapel of Monserrat. Follow the red and white signs to go down to La Vilaine. Turn left and go along the river first on the road and then on the towpath.
- Join Pont-Réan. At the bridge, turn left and join the church.
- Departure : Chapelle Notre Dame de Bon Port, 1, rue de la Chapelle, 35480, Guipry Messac
- Arrival : Immaculate Conception Church, rue de Redon, Pont-Réan, 35580, Guichen
- Towns crossed : Bretagne
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
This route follows the itinerary of the "Chemins du Mont St Michel". It is therefore possible to follow their signposts (silhouette of the Mont Blanc on a blue background).
Transport
The modes of transport in Brittany are grouped on Breizhgo and Mobibreizh.
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