Grâces has a camellia trail in the town centre and a rural walking route that follows part of it. There are also churches and chapels with very different art-historical features. Those looking for accommodation in Grâces can therefore explore the town through two themes: botanical variety and landscape on the one hand, and architectural history and religious art on the other.

Camellia trail and countryside loop

The Chemin des Camélias was created to introduce the public to the many facets of the camellia. Along the trail are 360 camellias of different varieties, set in a range of landscaped settings; the number of plants may change over time. Information boards identify each flower bed with the names of its camellias. This makes the trail not only a green space but also a themed walk centred on the plant.

Those who would rather choose a walking route as their main activity can follow the Circuit de Traou An Dour in Grâces. The circular route passes along the Chemin des Camélias and through the surrounding countryside. This means that a landscaped trail in the town centre and a route through the surrounding area are two different ways to plan time outdoors. You do not need a walking time or distance to see how the two options differ; check current trail conditions before setting out.

Notre-Dame-de-Grâces Church

Notre-Dame-de-Grâces Church was built in 1506 and is an example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. It was designated a historic monument in 1907. A detail of its roof structure is also noteworthy: the church may be the oldest known example in Brittany of a frieze decoration on a roof beam. This is explicitly a possibility, not a confirmed ranking.

Guided tours of the church are offered every year during the European Heritage Days, on the third weekend in September. Those wishing to include a tour in their stay should check the dates for their travel year. The church also houses a carved, polychrome-painted wooden statue of Saint Monica. It is another distinct work of art alongside the architecture and frieze decoration.

Chapel, châteaux and religious art

The Chapel of Saint-Jean-de-Kergrist is a sanctuary with structural elements dating from the 14th, 15th and 19th centuries. Its art-historical features include old stained glass windows, designated under heritage protection legislation on 20 July 1942, and a 15th-century fresco depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian. The chapel also contains a 15th-century head of John the Baptist, listed as a protected cultural object.

The two châteaux also offer different points of reference in time. Château de Keranno dates from the 17th and 18th centuries and has been listed as a historic monument since 1965. Château de Keravel is a 16th-century residence; its main façade was altered around 1640. Near the château is a small pond fed by a very old, improved spring. These details add to the picture of architectural history and landscape, but do not imply that either estate is open to visitors.

Grâces’s religious heritage also includes the Oratoire Saint Yves, dedicated to Saint Yves, and the processional banner “Donation du Rosaire, saint évêque, Notre-Dame et Saint-Barthélemy”. The banner dates mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries and was designated a protected cultural object in 1978. While the church, chapel and châteaux primarily reveal architectural history and furnishings, the banner points to the distinct history of movable religious art.

Planning your stay

For planning a trip, a simple comparison may help: the Chemin des Camélias and the Circuit de Traou An Dour offer botanical and countryside explorations, while Notre-Dame-de-Grâces, Saint-Jean-de-Kergrist and the historic buildings focus on architecture and art. The church’s annual guided tours also provide a specific date to plan around in September. A bicycle parking facility is located near the “Mairie de Grâces” bus stop on Place André Bardoux, close to line 3 of the Guingamp-Paimpol bus service. If you plan to use this transport information, check it again before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Trémeur, Pludual, Noyal, Callac, Laniscat, Tonquédec, La Roche-Derrien, Saint-Quay-Perros

For the broader travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.