Discover Messac

If you’re looking for a hotel in Messac, different themes can help guide your choice: historic buildings in Messac, the harbour history of Messac-Guipry, and trails in the Guipry-Messac area. The architectural history spans from the 12th century to later additions to the church. At the harbour, its former role in goods trading contrasts with its present-day function for river cruises. In the Corbinières Valley, forests, the shape of the river and a themed trail connect visitors with nature.

Historic buildings in Messac

The Château de la Pommerais dates from the first half of the 17th century. Its listed features include a chapel, a dovecote, a courtyard and an agricultural building. The Moulin de la Perrais in Messac dates from the 18th century. Together, the two buildings provide a glimpse into the town’s early modern architectural history.

Several construction phases can be distinguished at the Église de Messac. Dedicated to Saint Abdon and Saint Sennen, the church was built in the 12th century. Its south porch dates from the 16th century. The stone tower was built in 1866; the connection between the tower and the nave was completed in 1903. The church’s architectural history therefore spans a long period, and its individual parts do not all belong to the same era.

The Temple de la Coëfferie is Messac’s oldest building and is one of the surviving medieval buildings of the Knights Templar. The Maison du Tourisme is housed in an authentic, well-preserved 19th-century residence. The municipality of Messac acquired the house in 1980. Together with the church, mill and château, these buildings offer several different points of interest for travellers interested in architecture and local history.

Harbour and river history

Historically, the port of Messac-Guipry was heavily shaped by trade in salt, Loire stone, metals, wine, wood and textiles. The marina at Port de Messac-Guipry serves as a departure point for river cruises on the Breton canals. Two different aspects of the harbour’s history come together here: its former role in the exchange of goods and its present-day role in cruises. If you’re interested in waterways, the harbour can therefore be considered both in its historical context and in terms of its tourist function.

Forest and trails in the Guipry-Messac area

The wooded Corbinières Valley lies within an 800-hectare forested area. It forms a 70-metre-deep gorge carved by a river over millions of years. The Sentier d’interprétation de la vallée boisée de Corbinières is a 2.5-kilometre walking loop that is open to the public year-round. Question-and-answer information boards explain the landscapes, wildlife, plant life and history of the valley.

The trail options vary in length and mode of travel. A 35-kilometre mountain-bike route runs from the town centre to the Corbinières massif. In the Guipry-Messac area, the Voie verte offers 50 kilometres of trails reserved exclusively for walkers. This is distinct from the towpath along the Vilaine, which runs from north to south and is suitable for walking, cycling and horse riding. This information can help you choose between a walking loop, longer routes and a path intended for several activities when planning your trip.

Railway station and trip planning

Along the Voie verte, Guipry-Messac is the only town in the Guipry-Messac area with a railway station that is still in operation. If you’d like to include the station in your travel plans, check the timetable for your travel date. When choosing a hotel in Messac, you can also consider whether architectural history, the harbour or the different trail options should be the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Le Rheu, Ercé-près-Liffré, Sainte-Anne-sur-Vilaine, Le Minihic Sur Rance, Bédée, Roz-Sur-Couesnon, Cuguen, Lohéac.

View the main travel guide: Ille-Et-Vilaine.