8. from Loyat to Plélan le Grand
During this stage we will pass near certain sites of the legendary Brocéliande and King Arthur such as Trehorenteuc, the Val sans retour, the Tomb of the Giants or the Barenton fountain, but also certain industrial sites such as the Forges.
We will also go along the military camp of St Cyr Coëtquidan. We will be sometimes in the middle of the moors, sometimes in the middle of the forest.
2 points of interest
- Cultural
The Lucas Cross
This cross in red shale will mark the place where the two sons of Solomon of Brittany, Gurwan and Pasqwiten, fought in 875. Gurwan, Count of Rennes triumphed over Pascwiten, Count of Vannes; the story goes that the winner died the same evening.
The path on which the cross stands was created after the fires of 1976.
Old photos show that the cross was 1.50m high and had no base. It was probably damaged during this work, - Cultural
The Forges of Paimpont
Thanks to the resources of wood, ore and hydraulic power brought by the Etang des Forges and the six others upstream, the Paimpont forges were one of the most important sites in Brittany. It included blast furnaces, a foundry and a rolling mill . After a period of prosperity in the 1830s, decline appeared with the treaty that abolished customs duties with England in 1860. The site closed in 1884. The village also includes the blacksmith's house, a hound farm and a chapel.
Description
Go down, by the rue des Rosiers towards the Yvel, cross by the old bridge and follow the river to join the D13. Follow it for a few meters and take the small alley which goes up on the left, then the path and road which extends it. Cross the bridge which crosses the D766 and continue through the villages of Lesvran, the Manor until you reach the Pont aux Moines.
- After crossing the river before the village of Pont-aux-Moines, turn right into the rue des Ecottais. Continue until the D41. Turn left on the D41, then turn right at the monument. After a few meters on this road, take the path on the left before the houses, and follow it to the D134.
- A few meters, before arriving at this departmental road, take the track which rises on the left, parallel to the road. At the top, after the big cross at the top, join the road D134, and take it on the left.
- After the right bend, turn right on the track. Follow this track, then straight ahead on the forest road up to the village of La Touche Guérin.
- Take, straight ahead, the road which goes along the village and continue up to the D40.
- Take the road opposite in the direction of the Boutique de Sousingué. A little before the houses, cross the Aff river and take the path which goes along it by the right (white and red beaconing). This part of the path runs along the military camp of St Cyr. Arrived at the D71, cross the road and take the marked path along the Aff.
- Turn left on the D773, and join the village of Les Forges. At the pond, take the road on the left, then the first forest road on the right in the direction of La Fenderie.
- At the crossroads of La Fenderie, take the forest lane and follow the white and red markings up to the village of Le Gué.
- In the village of Le Gué, turn right onto the D38, then, at the crossroads, take the road on the left which goes up towards Plélan-le-Grand and join the church.
- Departure : Crossroads of Rue de l'Abbaye and Rue des Rosiers - 56800 - Loyat
- Arrival : Place de l’église – 35380 - Plélan-le-Grand
- Towns crossed : Bretagne
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
The forest of Brocéliande is largely private. By agreement between the owners and the Department, access is limited to the period from April 1 to September 30. Similarly, part of the route runs along the military camp of St Cyr Coëtquidan. Please do not stray from the trails.
Transport
The modes of transport in Brittany are grouped on Breizhgo and Mobibreizh.
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