Le Bonhomme on the Blavet: Pont du Bonhomme and River Landscape

On the Blavet, Pont du Bonhomme is located in the hamlet of Le Bonhomme in Kervignac; the bridge lies on the river between Kervignac and Lanester. Here, riverside scenery, paths along the water, and a clearly defined bridge heritage come together. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Le Bonhomme, you can consider when planning whether you are most interested in the history of the bridge, walks along the Blavet, or the wetlands nearby.

Scenery along the Blavet

From Pont du Bonhomme, you can look out over the Blavet, its banks, and its bends. The section of the GR® 34 beyond the bridge follows the river past picturesque hamlets, marshes, and ponds. Information panels along this section help you identify migratory birds that nest in the marshes and ponds. This way, attention is drawn not only to the course of the river but also to the habitats of birdlife.

Pont du Bonhomme: construction and names

The original Pont du Bonhomme was built by Ferdinand Arnodin in 1903–1904 as a toll bridge. Its sculptures depicted a man and a woman in local costume; they were called “le Bonhomme” and “la Bonne femme.” As road traffic increased, the original bridge reached its capacity limits. A second Pont du Bonhomme was then built and opened to the public in 1974. The dates mark distinct milestones: 1903–1904 refers to the construction of the original toll bridge, while 1974 marks the opening of the second bridge.

A washhouse in Saint-Sterlin

Near Saint-Sterlin is the Fontaine-lavoir, built in 1800. It is the only dated washhouse in the Ria d’Etel area. Its construction predates the original Pont du Bonhomme, built in 1903–1904. The area’s building history therefore brings together different points in time: the washhouse, the original toll bridge, and the later second bridge.

Paths along the water and nearby

A municipal route description from October 2024 mentions the GR® 34 on the Kervignac side: it runs downstream of Pont du Bonhomme as far as Locmiquélic and offers views of the riverbanks. At the bridge, you can take walks along the river that combine enjoying the scenery with exploring the cultural heritage. The walk at the bridge and the GR® 34 section downstream thus offer different ways to explore the area.

There are two hiking trails; one is the Moulin du Plessis loop, which runs along the Blavet. A municipal route description from October 2024 also mentions the Boucle de Saint-Sterlin, which offers a detour to a washhouse and other landscapes. Trail conditions may change; check them before setting out. You can also continue exploring the area around Pont du Bonhomme by visiting the nearby natural areas of the Cimetière de bateaux de Kerhervy and the Marais de la Goden.

Discover more destinations: Monteneuf, St Martin Sur Oust, Pluméliau, Guillac, Sulniac, Penvins, Pluherlin, Noyalo.

For the broader travel overview: Morbihan.