Kerpert: Church, Prehistory and Walking Trails

Kerpert brings together historic buildings, prehistoric remains and trails with named distances. The Église Saint-Pierre and its ossuary offer a glimpse into architectural history; dolmens and a sacrificial stone are Neolithic relics. The Chapelle du Sacré-Coeur in Kergrist Lan also forms part of the area’s historic character. Other highlights include Koad Malouen Abbey, two walking trails and the source of the Le Trieux near Kerscouedec. The range of themes thus extends from architecture and archaeology to walking and landscape.

Churches and Prehistoric Remains

The main construction phase of the Église Saint-Pierre in Kerpert dates to the 16th century. By decree of 16 February 1921, the church and its ossuary were classified as historic monuments. The construction phase and classification date refer to different historical aspects: one dates the main construction phase, while the other establishes the protected status of both buildings.

The Kéranquéré dolmen is a Neolithic relic; the Roc’h Pen Darben sacrificial stone is also among Kerpert’s Neolithic remains. Their shared attribution to the Neolithic period distinguishes these sites chronologically from the later church buildings. The area’s cultural heritage thus includes archaeological traces as well as architecture.

In Kergrist Lan, Kerpert, the Chapelle du Sacré-Coeur was rebuilt in 1874. The date refers to the rebuilding, not the chapel’s original construction. Compared with Saint-Pierre’s main construction phase in the 16th century, this later rebuilding stands alongside an early modern building phase. The timeline stretches from the Neolithic period through church construction to the chapel’s rebuilding.

Koad Malouen Abbey

Koad Malouen Abbey was founded by Cistercians in 1142 in a heavily wooded area. A permanent exhibition focuses on the abbey and the Cistercian world. Compared with Saint-Pierre’s main construction phase, this foundation dates to a much earlier century; the exhibition also broadens the perspective from the history of one abbey to the Cistercian order.

The secured areas of the abbey can be visited daily on self-guided, free tours. Access is limited to these areas. When planning your visit, both the exhibition topics and the clearly defined scope of the visit are relevant.

Walking Trails by Length and Destination

The Circuit trail des Sources is 6.87 kilometres long. The Circuit trail de l’Abbaye is around 15 kilometres long and includes an additional loop to Coat Mallouen Abbey. The longer route differs not only in distance but also in its explicitly stated connection to the abbey. If you are choosing by length, the shorter Sources route can be compared with the longer Abbaye route and its loop.

Source of the Le Trieux

Near Kerscouedec, the River Le Trieux rises at the watershed between the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean. A watershed marks the divide between drainage basins; here, it lies between the two seas. The river’s source adds a geographical aspect to the architectural and monastic history and offers another perspective on the landscape alongside the walking trails.

Discover more destinations: Plouguenast, Maël-Pestivien, Le Merzer, Jugon-Les-Lacs, Saint-Gilles-Vieux-Marché, La Bouillie, Belle-Isle-En-Terre, Gomené.

See the broader travel guide: Côtes-D’armor.