La Chèze: Château, Church and Water Excursions
Accommodation in La Chèze
La Chèze brings together several themes to consider when planning a trip: the Château de La Chèze, the Église Saint-André, the Musée des métiers and water excursions exploring the Lié Valley. The historic sites tell the story of different periods of construction and use; the water excursions offer a different focus. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether heritage or an activity on the water will shape your stay.
Château de La Chèze: Construction and Change
The Château de La Chèze was built at the end of the 12th century by the Viscounts of Porhoët on a rocky shale outcrop. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Rohan family made the château one of their most important residences. These two periods distinguish the time of construction from the château’s later significance to the Rohan family. The ruins have been protected as a Monument historique since 2005. A rocky outcrop is a projecting part of the terrain. The description also names the rock as shale; both details specify the site where the château was built.
The former moats of the Château de La Chèze have been converted into a promenade. This adds a change at the site to the history of the grounds: a former part of the château has become a path.
Église Saint-André: Construction Date and Later Function
The Église Saint-André was built in 1541. It was formerly the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix; shortly after 1806, it became the parish church. To place it in context, it is worth distinguishing its construction from its later function: 1541 is the year it was built, while its change to a parish church came considerably later. Compared with the château, whose history extends from its construction by the Viscounts of Porhoët to its time as a residence of the Rohans, this is a later building whose ecclesiastical development is the focus. Visitors considering the history of the area chronologically can understand the construction date, former name and later role as a parish church as distinct stages.
Musée des métiers de La Chèze
The Musée des métiers de La Chèze is housed in a reconstructed former tannery. This previous use distinguishes the museum site from the château and Église Saint-André: while the focus there is on the history of a residence and the development into a parish church, respectively, the former tannery offers a connection to the building’s use for crafts. In this way, different buildings and their respective stories complement the area’s historic themes.
Water Excursions and Getting Your Bearings
Between Plémet and La Chèze, the Base Sports Nature de Pont Querra organizes water excursions to explore the Lié Valley. Its focus differs from the building and use histories found in the town: here, the emphasis is on exploring the valley on the water. If you would like to include such an activity in your trip plans, check availability before travelling. The water excursions offer a distinct focus alongside the historic sites and give your trip planning another clearly defined option.
The Aire de l’Étang près de la cascade is located in the car park by the lake’s dam in La Chèze. This identifies a specific local landmark.
Discover more destinations: Hengoat, Caurel, Locarn, Coatreven, Ploézal, Gausson, Saint-Caradec, Plouër-Sur-Rance.
For the broader travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
