Nostang: Ria Shoreline, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Discover Nostang through three themes: the shoreline along the Ria d’Étel, woodland and valley-slope landscapes, and churches and chapels with varied architectural histories. There are also two named routes, each with its own length and starting point. If you’re looking for hotels in Nostang, these highlights can help you plan your trip around your interests: natural landscapes, trails or historic heritage.

The Ria, salt marshes and woodland landscapes

Nostang has 11 km of shoreline along the Ria d’Étel. Salt marshes are particularly prominent at Anse du Cosquer and southwest of Pointe du Gouarde. The landscape extends beyond the shoreline: numerous wooded areas characterize Nostang, with maritime pine predominating. There are also deciduous forests on the valley slopes. The shoreline, salt marshes and wooded slopes reveal different facets of the area.

Churches and chapels: architecture, art and history

The Church of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul is laid out in the shape of a Latin cross and was rebuilt between 1681 and 1686. The history of its spire includes a precisely dated event: it was hit by a German shell on January 17, 1945. The church’s design, its reconstruction and the 1945 incident offer different perspectives on its history.

The site at the Kergo spring includes a Neolithic polishing stone, an ancient stele, the spring and a washhouse. The grouping brings together two historical objects from different periods with the other features of the site. The high nave of Locmaria Chapel is entirely decorated with 15th-century paintings. They depict figures against an arabesque background. From 1681 to 1685, parish services were held at Locmaria while the new church in Nostang was being built.

Other chapels have their own architectural features. The Chapel of Saint-Symphorien and Saint-Maurice was built in the 16th century. Renaissance and Gothic styles coexist in the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Légevin, which was also a pilgrimage center. Its south façade features a Renaissance doorway to the nave. The Chapel of Saint-Bieuzy, also known as Saint-Georges, preserves a 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic tracery window. These features range from the overall form of a church to individual doors and windows.

Routes and starting points

The circular route “Discover Nostang, from the Ria d’Étel to Saint-Ernan” is about 4 km long, marked with green signs, and starts at the car park opposite the municipal workshop. It follows wooded paths and coastal trails. Check the route markers on site before relying on them.

Another route description appears in the Nostang chapter of “L’Anneau de Waroch”: titled “L’Anneau de Pouvoir,” it is 5 km long and starts at the car park behind Nostang Church. Check in advance that the route is currently available and signposted. The two routes therefore differ in both length and starting point.

Discover more destinations: Nivillac, Beignon, Saint-Pierre-Quiberon, Baden-Mériadec, Neulliac, La Trinité-Sur-Mer, Ambon, Lizio

For the regional travel overview: Morbihan.