La Vraie-Croix: Chapel, Gardens and Nature

When planning a stay in La Vraie-Croix, you can choose between architectural history, landscaped gardens, natural areas and hiking. The places and their features offer a range of highlights: from a chapel portal to distinctive habitats and a nine-kilometre walking route.

Chapelle de La Vraie-Croix

Two construction phases can be distinguished at the Chapelle de La Vraie-Croix. The surviving original portal dates from the 13th century, while the rest of the chapel dates from the 16th century. The chapel was also built over a public road. For your visit, note the seasonal opening hours: the chapel is open to the public daily from Easter to All Saints’ Day. Check the opening hours before your trip.

Fontaine, Maison Louis and the parish church

The Fontaine du Saint is protected as a historic monument. The basin beside the fountain served as a washhouse for a long time, bringing a former everyday use into view alongside the protected structure. Maison Louis is the oldest house in the village and has a round tower. Historically, it housed a hospital for pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela or Jerusalem. It was run by the monks of Saint John of Jerusalem. The parish church, dedicated to Saint Isidore, features remarkable woodwork inside. At Le Tostal, ruined houses illustrate life at the end of the 19th century, when workers came to build the railway line.

Gardens and landscape

La Vraie-Croix has themed gardens featuring fuchsias, dahlias and sage, including rare and unusual varieties. For plant enthusiasts, the collection offers a distinct focus alongside the historic buildings.

The Lande de Coët Ruel is designated as an Espaces naturels sensibles (ENS) area. Its 4.4 hectares comprise a moderately dry heath and a wet meadow, spread across northern and southern areas. Two clearly different habitats shape the area: the heath is moderately dry, while the meadow is wet.

Walks at Étang du Pont-Palais

The tree-lined Étang du Pont-Palais lies in the town centre and is suitable for family walks. The pond has picnic tables, play facilities for children and a boules court. A walk combined with these facilities offers a different focus from the historic buildings or designated natural areas.

Hiking the Circuit de Langroez

The Circuit de Langroez is 9 km long and allows hikers to discover a diverse range of wildlife and plant life in the town centre and in the villages along the route. It offers a hiking option distinct from a walk around the Étang: rather than focusing your visit on one place in the centre, you can experience nature in the town centre and around the villages along the route. The distance gives you a clear point of reference when deciding whether a hiking route suits the activities planned for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Le Roc-Saint-André, Nostang, Landévant, Roudouallec, Brandivy, Damgan, Plumelin, Josselin.

Go to the regional travel overview: Morbihan.