Guichen: Hiking, Vilaine and Heritage

Guichen brings together several distinct themes to consider when planning a trip: hiking trails through the countryside, activities on the Vilaine, geological features and historic buildings. When choosing where to stay, it may therefore be important to decide whether you mainly want to spend time outdoors or focus on local nature and culture.

Hiking trails and the Boël Valley

Guichen Pont-Réan maintains seven hiking trails that let you explore the countryside around Guichen and Pont-Réan. One specific example is the Pont-Réan–Le Boël circular route: it passes through the 300-hectare Boël Valley, along towpaths and winding little paths, and through a densely wooded landscape. The route is defined by both its varied paths and its forested valley. If you would like to include hiking in your stay, you could make this a particular focus; the seven municipal trails provide a broader range of options.

The Vilaine: Excursions and water sports

Canoe, kayak and paddle excursions on the Vilaine start at the Pont-Réan lock keeper’s house and head upstream. The Pont-Réan Canoe and Kayak Club rents stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats. The excursion focuses on the upstream route, while the rentals let you choose a watercraft. Rentals are seasonal and availability may vary. Excursions are also seasonal activities, and their operational details may vary. So check availability and the latest details for your chosen date.

The Cale de Pont-Réan landing stage has a launch area for water sports and is used by walkers, cyclists, joggers, kayakers and mountain bikers. Water sports are part of a wider range of activities there, which also includes getting around on foot and by bike. The variety of users gives the landing stage a different focus from a departure point for a river excursion.

Geology in Guichen

The Carrière des Landes is a protected and classified geological site in Guichen; it has held this status since 10 January 1966. It is easily accessible and noteworthy. Nevertheless, check access arrangements before visiting.

The trilobite fossils of Guichen date from the Ordovician, more than 460 million years ago. The trilobite fossil Guichenia was named after Guichen. The name connects the fossil to the place, while its age takes the geological story far beyond the history of the town today.

Architecture in Pont-Réan and Guichen

The Pont-Réan mill preserves 19th-century mills in a group of buildings that roughly resembles a Greek cross. The 19th-century mills and the layout of the group are two distinct features of the ensemble: one points to its age, the other to its spatial form.

The Church of Saint-Martin in Guichen was built in the neoclassical style and features noteworthy architectural and decorative elements. One specific historical detail is the small bell visible in the lantern tower: it bears the date 1462. The mill and the church thus highlight different aspects of the built heritage: the mill, the form of its group of buildings; Saint-Martin, its neoclassical style and a dated decorative detail.

Discover more destinations: Tremblay, Dinard, Lanhélin, Dol-De-Bretagne, La Mézière, Saint-Jouan-Des-Guérets, Bécherel, Le Verger

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