Saint-Laurent-Sur-Oust: Church, Megaliths and Forest

Saint-Laurent-Sur-Oust brings together church and architectural history, archaeological evidence and a landscape shaped by the Oust. If you are looking for a hotel in Saint-Laurent-Sur-Oust, these different features can help guide your plans: would you rather focus on historic buildings or spend time walking in the forest? The following features show what distinguishes the town and its landscape.

Church, Chapel and Sculptures

The parish church of Saint-Laurent was built in the 16th century and later extensively altered. Its north chapel was once the seigneurial chapel of the de Beaumont family. Fragments of old stained-glass windows were reused in the sacristy. They depicted Christ, Saint Lawrence and the coat of arms of the de Malestroit family; they were still visible in 1862. The church thus brings together architectural history, the chapel’s former function and traditional imagery.

The church also contains a polychrome limestone statue of Saint Lawrence. “Polychrome” describes the figure’s multicoloured decoration; the material and the person depicted are also identified. For a cultural and historical perspective, the statue and the stained-glass windows complement each other without being the same kind of object: one is a limestone figure, while the other consists of fragments of glass with religious motifs and a family coat of arms.

Beaumont: Manor House and Megalithic Site

The manor house of Beaumont is the surviving remnant of an important 15th-century manor that belonged to the de Malestroit family. Its date, family association and status as a surviving remnant offer different historical points of reference. Beaumont is also home to a covered well—another named architectural feature of the area.

The Neolithic site of Beaumont in Saint-Laurent-Sur-Oust is designated as a historic site and megalith. It was inhabited in successive phases from the Neolithic through to the Middle Ages. So the focus is not on just one period: the site points to a long succession of different settlements.

The site lies on uneven terrain above the Oust Valley. A menhir stands about 30 metres to the west, with carved figures visible on its upper surface. The approximate distance and westward direction locate the menhir in relation to the site. Those interested in archaeological sites can therefore find not only historical context but also specific details about the location and visible carvings.

The Oust Landscape and Forest Walks

Several rocks stand perpendicular to the Oust, giving Saint-Laurent-Sur-Oust a pronounced relief. The Beaumont site’s location on uneven ground above the Oust Valley is also part of this landscape. The river and the terrain are therefore more than general descriptions of the area: they are distinctive features reflected both in the landscape and in the archaeological site’s location.

The Forêt du Houssa is located in Beaumont, in Saint-Laurent-Sur-Oust, and covers 80 hectares. Its wide forest avenues are ideal for walking, and some are also accessible with a pushchair. You may occasionally encounter deer in the forest. The focus here is on walking and the possibility of seeing wildlife, while the church, manor house and megalithic site appeal to historical and archaeological interests. This lets you choose a destination based on the kind of stay you are looking for, without conflating the different places and themes.

Discover more destinations: Silfiac, Île-Aux-Moines, Quéven, Pluneret, Monterblanc, Sainte-Hélène, Le Courégant, Guéhenno

For the broader travel guide: Morbihan.