Bourg-des-Comptes: Nature, Trails and Heritage

If you are considering Bourg-des-Comptes as a destination, nature, hiking and heritage can offer different focuses when planning your stay. La Courbe combines natural features with access along the Vilaine; several routes explore landscape and cultural themes. Château du Boschet, the parish church of Notre-Dame and the Menhir de Grand Tua add to the picture of the area’s history.

Nature and trails along the Vilaine

La Courbe is a protected natural area belonging to the département in Bourg-des-Comptes, and is open to the public. The former gravel pit includes marshy woodland and wet woodland areas. La Courbe is also home to swamp cypresses with above-ground root structures called pneumatophores. These features give the area a distinctive natural character, while access along the Vilaine also provides a practical point of reference for visitors.

La Courbe can be reached via Rue de la Visnonia; access includes a car park and a footpath along the Vilaine. Check local conditions before setting out. This allows you to plan your visit around the designated access point rather than assuming a different route.

Routes and cultural landscape

The routes offer different highlights. The Circuit du Boschet has numerous viewpoints over the Vilaine valley and views of Château du Boschet, which is classified as a Monument historique. The Circuit de la Réauté passes through a species-rich, protected natural area near La Courbe. The Circuit des Biches follows an old Roman road with visible slate outcrops. These descriptions can help you choose between valley views, natural surroundings and traces of history.

For specific route planning, the GR39 has a designated first stage of 13 kilometres, from La Courbe to Le Boël. Its length and two endpoints give you a clear outline of this section. The Circuit de la Réauté, by contrast, features a named landmark as well as its natural surroundings: the route passes the Menhir de Grand Tua, also called Dent de Gargantua, which is designated a Point of Interest.

The menhir stands 30 metres southeast of the village of Prégaudais. It is 4 metres high, 2.50 metres wide and 1 metre thick. A local legend is associated with the name Dent de Gargantua: while crossing the Vilaine valley, Gargantua is said to have lost his teeth along the Vilaine and in the surrounding landscape. The name thus links the stone to a story, while its dimensions and location provide practical points of reference.

Château and church

Château du Boschet was built between 1660 and 1680. The entire château, its outbuildings and the whole park, including courtyards, gardens, terraces and boundary walls, are classified as a Monument historique. The château has a monumental staircase with white-stone balusters. Château du Boschet is open for visits year-round; check the visiting arrangements before you travel.

The parish church of Notre-Dame also offers a tangible insight into the area’s architectural history. The present church was built in 1851 by architect Charles-Louis Langlois. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross; its architectural features include a square bell tower over the entrance with a stone spire, and a Neo-Gothic style. A record also states that in 1224 Josselin de Montauban, Bishop of Rennes, transferred the church to Saint-Jacques de Montfort Abbey. The dates 1224 and 1851 therefore mark distinct historical events.

Discover more destinations: Saint-M'hervé, Tinteniac, Dinard, Billé, Montreuil-Le-Gast, Brie, Montours, Goven

For the wider travel overview: Ille-Et-Vilaine.