Saint-Nicolas-Du-Pélem: Trails and Heritage

Saint-Nicolas-Du-Pélem offers different options for planning your trip: trails through the valley and forest, traces of local history and glimpses into ways of life in the past. You can plan your stay around whether you prefer spending time outdoors, are interested in buildings, or want to combine both.

Hiking and Cycling in the Faoudel Valley

The trail in the Faoudel Valley follows the former Saint-Nicolas-du-Pélem–Guingamp railway line. Today, it is closed to motor vehicles and intended for hiking or cycling. Starting at Moulin du Rocher, the trail runs alongside the river through green surroundings. It is suitable for an easy family walk. The former railway line and its current use give the trail two clearly distinct aspects: it recalls a former transport connection and now serves as a place for non-motorised recreation.

Trails, Nature and History in Beaucours Forest

The municipal forest of Beaucours has numerous trails and preserves traces of the work once done by charcoal burners. A path through the forest leads to the Rocher de Guingamp. The rock once provided shelter to members of the resistance; its significance is therefore also part of the area's history. Otters and birds such as herons are drawn to the pond in the forest. Clumps of the protected royal fern species also grow there. Anyone interested in the landscape will find different aspects to explore here: forest trails, evidence of past work and natural features around the pond.

The GR de Pays “Mein ha dour” was created from 2020 onwards through the joint efforts of elected representatives from ten municipalities, including Saint-Nicolas-Du-Pélem. Its origins make cooperation between several municipalities a theme of the route. It adds to the local trails by offering a glimpse into how collaborative hiking projects were developed.

Buildings and Religious Heritage

The Château du Pélem was built in 1622. Its turrets can be seen from a specially created path at the foot of the building; direct access to the turrets is prohibited. So take in the building’s details from the designated path. Information about the permitted viewing point is just as important for planning your visit as the age of the château.

The Chapelle Saint-Éloi is a remarkable Gothic granite building dating from the 15th century. It contains a medieval child’s sarcophagus. During the historic Pardon de septembre, horses and their owners were blessed in the church square before being led to the spring. This account is part of the history of the tradition and does not describe an event that takes place regularly today. The Saint-Nicolas spring houses a statue of Saint Nicholas with three children.

School History and Guided Tours

The Bothoa School Museum is devoted to the history of school and childhood. Its growing collections are presented in themed exhibitions. The programme described includes dictations, guided tours, a walk along a sunken lane and the making of bush toys. This brings exhibitions and hands-on activities together: you can explore the history of school and childhood while also discovering the different formats offered by the museum.

A private manor house, inhabited by the de Boisboissel family, opens its grounds for guided tours every summer. These visits are seasonal; take the summer period into account when planning and check the dates before including a tour in your stay.

Find a Hotel for Your Stay

This lets you compare hotel offers to suit the purpose of your trip, without turning the different attractions into a single visiting itinerary. When planning, pay particular attention to seasonal guided tours if they matter to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Fiacre, Lanmérin, Tréméloir, Larmor-Pleubian, Trémeur, Saint-Nicodème, Plaintel, Trémel

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