Walk of the Month
 |
June 2007
PLOËRMEL
6½kms 2hrs
Ploërmel is in NE Morbihan on the N24.
Start from the picnic area near the
N24/D766E intersection.
 | ||
This walk combines the historic centre of
Ploërmel, a very interesting town of many fine buildings,
with a more rural stroll along an old railway line. The latter
runs near the express way, so it is a pretty, but not silent,
route, providing easy walking in pleasant countryside. Varied
architecture includes the old defences, historic houses and an
astronomical clock.
Directions
1. From the
picnic area by the D766E, near the express way, double back
under the main road on an old railway line. This track lined with oaks at first runs parallel with
the express way, 400m away.
Cross straight over at the next road
junction.
Continue to the busy D766, cross and follow
the track ahead.
The 15th century Chapelle St-Antoine is
visible off to the left across the express way – a
pedestrian passerelle provides access.
At the next little road, cross straight
over and follow the grassed area ahead or the tarmac road
running parallel.
2. At the top,
bear right on the track. This comes out on a small road, with a
red-earthed footpath by it. Bear right along it and continue
ahead for 450m. At the end, bear right to the roundabout. Cross
the first road to the right and head up the Rue de la Gare (signed Centre Ville). At
the top, turn left along the Rue
du Val. Continue past the Tourist
Office on the left to the Chapelle
Sainte Marie des Carmes.
Often called the ‘Blue
Chapel’ from its unusual windows, this building dates
from the late 19th century. Today it is used mainly for
exhibitions and cultural events. The original convent here was
founded in 1273 and remains of the old cloisters can be seen
off the Boulevard des Carmes (when redevelopment work for the creation
of a new mediathèque permits).
Cross the Rue
du Val directly in front of the
chapel towards the car-park – note the remnants of the ancient town walls dating from
the 12th century, above and ahead.
Take the first narrow street to the right, Rue des Fosses.
In a little square, bear ahead right along
the Rue du Duc de Mercoeur. Ahead, a large church is visible across another
car-park. Cross to the church and go round to the left of it,
and under an arch, following signs to the astronomical clock.
This remarkable clock, to be found in a
huge glass case in the cloister of this former abbey, was
constructed between 1850 and 1855 by Frère Bernardin.
There is an information board in English, and a small museum
nearby exhibits the work of Jean-Marie de la Mennais, an
educationally influential priest and writer (1780-1860).
Re-cross the road, bear right towards the
main church but before then go left down the Rue des Douves. Turn right
at the bottom between two superb historic houses.
The Maison
des Marmousets, with its fine
carvings, dates from the 16th century, whilst the mainly 15th
century Maison des Ducs de
Bretagne is the oldest
building in the town, with parts going back to the 12th
century.
Turn first right into the Rue des Francs Bourgeois and follow it up to the church.
The gothic style Church of St-Armel
contains many impressive details, including early stained glass
windows (e.g. a Tree of Jesse from 1552) and the joint tomb of
two dukes of Brittany, Jean II and III. The north door is
architecturally striking, as is the 18th century square
bell-tower.
Leave the church by the same door, and bear
right and then left (before the archway) down the narrow Rue St Armel.
Just before the bottom on the right is
the Ancienne Hotel de la Monnaie, with its five storey stair tower, dating back
to medieval times.
At the end of the road bear left and ahead
across a little square. On the right is the Maison des Quatre Soldats,
a remarkable building now housing a café/tabac. In the
car-park behind this building bear right and continue round
past the old stone tower.
The Tour de
Thabors is the only remaining
tower of the original town fortifications, which enclosed the
oldest part of the town.
Turn right at the road junction, then left
down Rue Alphonse Guerin. In Places des
Armes go up the steps to the
left, beyond the memorial, then turn right down to the main
road.
3. Turn left
here. In 200m at a roundabout, turn right. Follow this
residential road (Rue de la Porte
Bergault) for 400m. At a
mini-roundabout, bear left. Continue ahead through the new
estate, across another mini-roundabout, and down across the
D766 to return to the picnic/parking area.
|
|
||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|