La Motte: Architectural History and Woodland Landscape

La Motte brings together architectural and local history with the wider landscape of the Forêt de Loudéac. Different scales sit side by side: individual, dated buildings and a forest massif that extends across several municipalities.

Saint-Vincent-Ferrier Church

Saint-Vincent-Ferrier Church was rebuilt from 1748 by the architect Jean Guéno, known as du Chesne; construction was completed in 1751. It includes an octagonal chapel with a baptismal font dating from 1767. The two dates distinguish the rebuilding of the church from the later date of the baptismal font.

The choir contains three notable stained-glass windows. If you would like to see these details in person, please check the current condition and access locally.

Wayside Cross, Mill and Building Techniques

The wayside cross on Rue de la Douve aux Louais dates from the 17th century and was re-erected on a newer, 20th-century base. The two periods are represented in the same object: the age of the cross and its later re-erection are not the same. On the reverse is a devotional spring; a former, disused washhouse is nearby.

The former flour mill, Moulin à farine de la Forêt, ceased operations in 1968. Two pairs of millstones and the remains of an electric motor have been preserved. The date marks the end of operations, while the millstones and motor remains identify the surviving technical elements.

The outbuilding at La Pierre à l'Ane offers another perspective on construction: it is an example of rammed earth (pisé) using the local adobe technique. Alongside dated buildings, this adds a specific building technique to the topics covered.

The Forêt de Loudéac

The Forêt de Loudéac covers a total of 2,500 hectares, of which 1,643 hectares lie within the municipality of La Motte. The forest massif extends across La Motte, La Prénessaye and Loudéac. Both area figures are useful for understanding the geography: the first describes the total area, and the second the portion within La Motte.

Crossing at La Roche au cerf

At La Roche au cerf, a small bridge and a footbridge provide a crossing.

Racetrack and Route

At the hamlet of La Secouette in La Motte, drivers regularly train on the local racetrack. If you are planning a visit around a training session, check access and times in advance; training access and schedules may change.

As an excursion option near La Motte, an overview published in 2024 lists the 13 km route “Vers la Roche au cerf,” which starts at the Domaine de Fromelin. Route details may change, so check the information before setting out. The two excursion tips address different planning questions: for training, access and times matter; for the route, distance and starting point.

Discover more destinations: Moustéru, Guingamp, Henon, Plurien, Eréac, Evran, Saint-Martin-Des-Prés, Maël-Pestivien.

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