Garlan: Hiking and Architectural History

For a stay in Garlan, the “Balade verte en Garlan” and the town’s architectural history offer two different focal points. The walking route is an outdoor activity, while churches, a dovecote, manor houses and a chapel bring together different architectural styles and historical dates. The Dourduff and the cork oaks of Coat Raden add specific natural features to these themes.

Walking Route and Treasure Hunt

The “Balade verte en Garlan” is a 19.3 km walking route. It was officially opened in 2018 after being recognized by the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre (FFRandonnée). It is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Its length provides a specific reference point for planning, while the listed ways of using the route show that it is not intended for walkers alone.

Garlan also has a GPS-guided geocaching treasure hunt. A paper booklet for taking part is available at the town hall. The treasure hunt therefore offers both GPS support and a paper format. It is a separate activity from the walking route.

River and Remarkable Trees

The Dourduff flows between Garlan on its left bank and Plouigneau on its right bank. The riverbanks provide a precise geographical description of the relationship between the two places. At Coat Raden, the cork oaks are considered extremely rare in Brittany. While the river describes the relative location of the two places, the cork oaks point to a rare tree species at a specifically named location.

Church, Dovecote and Historic Buildings

Notre-Dame Parish Church was rebuilt between 1877 and 1879 to plans by the architect Ernest Le Guerrannic. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross with three naves. The octagonal spire is openwork and framed by four lanterns and four openwork gables. The church thus combines a specified period of rebuilding with precisely described features of its floor plan and spire design.

The Colombier de Kerrohant-Vras, also known as Kerrohant, dates from the 16th century. Its 980 nesting chambers are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The privately owned Château de Kervezec dates from 1568. Its older section retains a gate fitted with loopholes and a gallery with machicolations. While the number and arrangement of the chambers are notable at the dovecote, Kervezec stands out for the architectural details of its gate and gallery.

The privately owned Chapelle Sainte Anne in Linquelvez was built in 1649. It was formerly associated with the Manoir de Rascoët. The dates therefore range from the 16th-century dovecote and Kervezec, dating from 1568, through the chapel built in 1649, to the parish church’s rebuilding between 1877 and 1879.

Visiting the Château du Bois de la Roche

One practical limitation concerns the Château du Bois de la Roche: the “Balade verte en Garlan” passes by the entrance, but the château is privately owned and cannot be visited. When planning, it is therefore important to distinguish between the route of the walking trail and access to the château.

Discover more destinations: Motreff, Le Conquet, Saint-Méen, Pont-Croix, Trégana, Locquirec, Guipavas, Concarneau.

For the broader travel guide: Finistere.