Discover Plessix-Balisson

Plessix-Balisson combines a rich local history with specific themes to explore during a stay: the former Baluçon castle site, Saint-Pierre Church with its historical details, and the Circuit de Baluçon, an easy circular route. Individually named village houses, the view of Beaussais Bay from the former Ménéguen windmill, and five workshops for artists and craftspeople round out the picture. These different highlights give you a basis for deciding whether you are more interested in local history, religious art, a short walk or the landscape.

The history of Baluçon Castle

Plessix-Balisson is a former castle settlement, built on an ancient fortification. Lord Geoffroy Baluçon had Baluçon Castle built in 1150. Its triangular shape, its position on a hill and the connection between two streams go together: the streams fed the castle’s moats. The site is therefore characterised not only by its date, but also by its described shape and water supply. Today, a well and a few remains survive from the castle. The contrast between the former site and the traces that remain today helps place the castle in context as a historic focal point of the village.

Individual houses also contribute to the character of the village: their distinctive names include La Juridiction, L’Auditoire and La Petite Halle. The houses offer a different scale for understanding local history than the former fortification. Thus, alongside the history of the castle, named buildings stand out as a distinct aspect of the village.

Saint-Pierre Church and its historical traces

Saint-Pierre Church dates from the beginning of the 20th century. Inside is a 16th-century statue of the Virgin and Child. The parish precinct also includes a 15th-century granite holy-water font, a cemetery, a yew tree and two crosses. The sequence of dates for the church’s historical details therefore runs from the holy-water font to the statue of the Virgin and Child and then to the church building. The earlier dates refer to the furnishings and artwork, while the later one refers to the church building. Other features of the parish precinct complement these two dated objects.

The Circuit de Baluçon as a circular route

The Circuit de Baluçon is an easy, 2.5 km circular route that takes 45 minutes. Its length, duration and difficulty rating provide different points of reference for planning. The route starts at the car park on Route de St-Jacut and is marked in yellow. This gives you both a starting point and a trail marker colour; its circular format also distinguishes it from a route with a single endpoint. If you are considering a short hike during your stay, you can use these details to gauge its duration and distance.

Views and crafts

The former Ménéguen windmill offers a view of Beaussais Bay. This landscape highlight differs from the history of Baluçon: here, the focus is on the view of the bay, while there it is on the former castle site. In 2015, five workshops for artists and craftspeople were established in Plessix-Balisson. They provide spaces where artists and craftspeople can make and exhibit their work. Thus, alongside historic buildings, the making and exhibition of crafts are among the village’s different cultural themes.

Discover more destinations: Tréglamus, Plouaret, Landébia, Tréfumel, Ploumilliau, Saint-Méloir-Des-Bois, Ploézal, Lanleff

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