Bohal: History and Cycling Routes

Bohal offers several ways to plan a trip: church and architectural history, a historic mill, cycling routes and events held in specific years. The buildings are notable for their dates of origin and surviving details; the Vélo-promenade loop is listed as 29 km long and graded “soutenu”. If you are looking for a hotel in Bohal, you can plan your stay around whether you are particularly interested in heritage, cycling or an event date.

Cycling Routes and Events

The Rando la Bohalaise took place in 2025 for its 11th edition; the 12th edition was announced for 14 June 2026. The Laboh Festival was first held in 2025; a second edition was announced for 2026. The Balade Gustative on 28 June 2026 covered a 7 km route starting from the Chapelle du Portal, with five food stops. If you would like to combine a future trip with an event, check the latest dates.

Vélo-promenade loop 17 starts at the former Malestroit railway station, passes through Bohal and is 29 km long. It is graded “soutenu”; check the current signs before setting off. The 2024 Rando Bohal’aise followed paths through the landscapes of the Bohal forest. The 2024 Bohal’aise event included walking, cycling and mountain-biking routes. The loop’s length and grading are specific planning details, while the 2024 event is defined by its three route formats.

Churches and Architectural History

The original Saint-Gildas Church was mentioned in a 1060 deed of donation to Marmoutier Abbey; it was rebuilt in the 18th century. Its ground plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, with a single nave. A nave is the main space running lengthwise through a church; the cross shape describes the plan of the entire building. This places the early mention and later rebuilding in distinct periods of the church’s history.

The cemetery cross at Saint-Gildas Church dates from the 15th or 16th century. One side depicts a Calvary, the other a Pietà. The two depictions are therefore on different sides of the same cross.

The manor, also known as Château de Rocarant, is a former residence dating from the 17th century and retains a 16th-century stair tower. The property is privately owned. The La Ville des Prés manor was built in the 16th century; only ruins remain. A damaged Gallic stele stands in front of the manor. The two sites differ in their described state of preservation: Rocarant retains a stair tower, while only remains survive at La Ville des Prés.

Visiting and Finding Your Way

The Chapelle Saint-Charles belonged to the now-vanished Manoir du Portal. To visit the chapel, you can ask for the keys at Bohal town hall or from Mme Gernier at the house next to the chapel on the road. Confirm the key arrangements in advance if the chapel is part of your plans.

The Moulin de la Béraudaie can be viewed from the outside all year round; reach it by taking the municipal path to the small bridge. The earliest documented millers date back to 1701, and flour production ended in 1960. The directions for viewing the mill from outside thus go together with two milestones in its history of use.

Discover more destinations: Moustoir-Ac, Elven, La Roche-Bernard, Locqueltas, Carnac, Saint-Tugdual, Lizio, Monteneuf

For the broader travel overview: Morbihan.