Discover Broons: Du Guesclin and La Planchette

Broons brings together historical links to Bertrand Du Guesclin and several buildings with leisure activities around La Planchette. It also has a regular fair and rail connections towards Rennes and Saint-Brieuc. The different locations and dates give you concrete points of reference for choosing what to focus on during your stay. Market dates, train timetables and current programme information also play a role in planning.

Du Guesclin and Broons’ architectural history

The Colonne Du Guesclin is a 10-metre-high granite monolith erected in 1840. It stands about 1 kilometre from Place Du Guesclin, on the edge of the former RN 12. The column and the square are therefore two separate landmarks: Place Du Guesclin is also part of the fair area, while the column stands by the former road.

The Chapelle de la Madeleine is also associated with the history of Bertrand Du Guesclin. It is located in Broons cemetery and, according to tradition, is attributed to Jeanne de Malemain, his mother. Bertrand Du Guesclin himself was born around 1320 at the Château de la Motte-Broons. It is worth distinguishing between the tradition concerning the chapel and the information about his birthplace: they refer to different locations and have different evidentiary status.

The history of the church provides another point of reference in time. The former church of Broons dated from the 15th century. It was demolished in 1894 and replaced by a new Gothic Revival church, which was inaugurated in 1898. The dates therefore refer to different stages: the demolition of the earlier building and the later inauguration of its replacement. Together with the column erected in 1840, this architectural history reflects different periods in Broons.

Walking trails and swimming pool at La Planchette

The La Planchette leisure complex is situated by the Étang de la Planchette on the Route de Plumaugat. Two walking trails can be explored from the complex. The pond and road pinpoint the leisure area; the trails add a specific activity to this location. If you are weighing up walking and swimming, these are two different ways to include La Planchette in your plans.

The Piscine de la Planchette has a 25-metre-long, 10-metre-wide swimming pool and a solarium. Check current access arrangements before your visit. A programme from September 2025 lists swimming lessons at La Planchette for children and adults to learn and improve their swimming skills, as well as year-round outdoor aqua fitness activities. Check the programme details again before your visit. The pool dimensions describe the facility, while the programme information concerns specific activities and should be considered separately when planning your visit.

Fair and transport

A fair takes place in Broons on the first Wednesday of every month. It occupies Place Du Guesclin and the adjoining streets as far as the post office and Rue de la Gare. The market is therefore described by both its monthly date and the area it covers. If you would like to plan your stay around it, check the date again before travelling.

Broons railway station is about 3 kilometres from the town centre. It is served by TER Bretagne trains, with connections towards Rennes and Saint-Brieuc. The distance is approximate, while the train connections indicate the possible directions of travel. Check current timetables before your journey so you can coordinate your arrival with your onward plans.

Discover more destinations: Hillion, Plouha, Ploulech, Saint-Hélen, Saint-Igeaux, Saint-Carreuc, Planguenoual, Saint-Connan

For the wider travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.