A day out in Le Faouët: a mix of nature and culture!
Whether you're an experienced hiker or an enthusiastic beginner, by combining and adapting the routes of the Chaos de l'Ellé trail and the Chapels of Le Faouët trail, you're guaranteed to spend a day enjoying the diversity of the countryside of inland Brittany.
This walk through the Breton countryside takes in both sunken lanes and forest paths, skirting the banks of the River Ellé as it passes by some of Brittany's finest heritage sites: Les Halles, the chapel of Sainte-Barbe and the chapel of Saint-Fiacre.
The Ellé chaos trail: granite, not chaos!
Focus on the town of Le Faouët
One of the oldest market places in Brittany as a starting point: Les Halles!
Looking for somewhere to park all day? The salle des fêtes car park will do the trick. It's just a stone's throw from Les Halles, the 15th-century building that will be the starting point for your walk.
Aren't they beautiful? Go underneath, look up and admire! There aren't 2 like them in Brittany! Or rather, yes, there are still 3 of them, old timber-framed covered market halls! The ones in Le Faouët are the biggest ... and the most beautiful (in Breton terms)!
1 Wednesday out of 2 (this time the figure is right!) it's a hive of activity: the market takes place there, attracting locals and onlookers alike.
Their fame and Le Faouët in general inspired many artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The painting museum is open from April to October. Pssst: visit it before you leave!
Typically Breton: take the circuit the wrong way!
Let's get back to our feet..... Once you've set off, and after passing through a tunnel, take circuit no. 2, the wrong way round. You'll come to the ruins of Barrégant castle before skirting the banks of theEllé and its stone giants, the chaos. At the Sainte-Barbe fountain, take the path leading to the chapel. Be careful, it's uphill!
You've now arrived at the famous site of the Sainte-Barbe chapel. Isn't this chapel built into the side of a rock amazing? Climb the imposing stone staircases and you'll be amazed! Not just because of the climb, but above all because of the panoramic view over the Ellé valley and the surrounding countryside.
It's the perfect backdrop for getting your picnics out of your rucksacks. It's also the perfect opportunity to pull out your camera and capture some unforgettable and unusual landscapes.
The chapel trail in Le Faouët: Les Halles, the chapel of Sainte-Barbe and the chapel of Saint-Fiacre. A concentrate of inland Brittany!
The Chapels Trail in Le Faouët: THE walk to do in Central Brittany!
If there's one trail you can't miss in Le Faouët, this is it! A hint of valleys, a dose of forest, a dash of rivers: the ideal recipe for enjoying the diversity of Brittany's landscapes. Add to that the three buildings for which the town is famous. Mix it all together. Ready to taste?
Here we go again! From the chapel, retrace your steps and take the path down to the fountain. You're now on the chapel trail, so follow the markings, which are numbered 3 (as the saying goes, there's never a dull moment!). It will take you to another part of the river. You may well come across fishermen teasing brown trout or salmon when they are in season, from March to September.
Head for the chapel of Saint-Fiacre.
On the way, in the middle of a clearing, you'll pass by the Saint-Fiacre fountain. The fountain has 3 pools in succession. It's well worth a stop, even a fleeting one. It is said to have healing properties for skin diseases!
A little further on, your steps will lead you to Saint-Fiacre, a typical Breton village with its pentys and stone houses. The chapel of the same name sits majestically in the heart of the hamlet. If you're lucky enough to find it open when you're there, come and visit! You'll be able to admire a polychrome rood screen that ranks among the finest in Europe (yes, yes!). It's made entirely of carved and painted wood: a sort of Middle Ages cartoon. This structure served to separate the different social classes. On the one hand, the rich were warned by the representation of the seven deadly sins, while on the other, the common people were taught by images from the Bible.
Back to square one: towards Les Halles!
It's time to get back on track and follow the yellow waymarkers. You'll also see the white and red marks of the GR 38, another interesting feature of this route. Gradually, the sparse houses of the villages give way to a concentration of dwellings, a sign that you are returning to the market town of Le Faouët and approaching the finish. Tempted to cut the circuit to get back to Les Halles more quickly? If you do, you run the risk of missing an unusual house. Its colourful facade stands out from the other houses on the street: bingo, you've found it, it's the art-deco house! What year does it date from? You don't need a tourist guide to find out!
It's just a few more steps to the car. We could do with a drink on the terrace to have one last look at the market square (for today, no doubt you'll be back!). It's a good opportunity to debrief the day's walk and laughter. The weather's not right for soaking up the sun? Take refuge inside the establishments around Les Halles. The warm atmosphere and the conversations of the locals, which you'll be able to join in with, will immediately make you feel at home.
The day is already drawing to a close! We know who's going to sleep well tonight! Looking for more excursions? We've got plenty for you. From circuits without too many gradients to the steep slopes of the Black Mountains, there's something for every leg!
Tired of getting home? Want to make the most of this friendly atmosphere? Contact the accommodation providers to see if there's room left for this evening ... or a little longer!
See also
Inspirations and great experiences!
