Kergrist-Moëlou combines sacred architecture with nature and interpretation activities. In the village are the Notre-Dame parish church and the Saint-Lubin Chapel; the parish enclosure brings together further historical connections. The Maison des Landes & Tourbières offers guided tours, events and nature exhibitions throughout the year. The natural area of Les landes de Locarn lies in the wider area. This allows you to consider the local heritage and a nearby nature destination as distinct focal points when planning your trip.
Churches and Parish Enclosure
The Notre-Dame parish church in Kergrist-Moëlou was built from 1550 to 1554 by Pierre and Guillaume Jézéquel for Richard Paul, C. Lostec and F. Borgne. The Saint-Lubin Chapel also dates from the mid-16th century; its west façade was added in 1767. The buildings therefore date from a similar period, alongside a later addition to the façade that can be dated precisely to 1767.
At the heart of the parish enclosure is the calvary, which has been classified as a Monument historique since 1921. The enclosure is considered exemplary of the religious art of central Brittany and the most significant ensemble of its kind in the Côtes-d’Armor département. The oldest yew tree in the parish enclosure is another notable feature: its age is estimated at around 700 years.
Saint-Lubin Chapel and Religious Traditions
The Saint-Lubin Chapel also has a broad spring. The chapel and spring are traditionally associated with the relief of rheumatism. This tradition is a distinct aspect of the site, alongside the building phases and the art-historical significance of the parish enclosure.
An annual event is the Pardon at Notre-Dame de l’Isle, celebrated on the second-to-last Sunday in August. If you would like to plan your trip around this celebration, check the date and programme for the relevant year.
Nature Activities and Trails in the Wider Area
The Maison des Landes & Tourbières in Kergrist-Moëlou offers guided tours, events and nature exhibitions throughout the year. Thematic guided tours and workshops are also available for groups year-round. Topics range from heathland and bogs to slate quarries and architectural heritage. For a group visit, it is advisable to confirm in advance so that you can plan around the activities on offer.
The natural area of Les landes de Locarn lies in the wider area around Kergrist-Moëlou. A prefectural biotope protection order there safeguards breeding harriers. A hiking trail leads through the area from the Quellenec car park between Locarn and Saint-Nicodème. Along the way, you can observe and discover the natural heritage; the trail reaches the granite chaos of the Gorges du Corong before returning to its starting point. This excursion therefore offers a clear focus on the landscape, while the churches, chapel and parish enclosure shape the cultural themes in the village.
When choosing your focus, you can consider whether you are more interested in religious architecture and its history, or in nature and the landscape. The Maison’s guided tours and workshops bring together topics such as bogs, heathland and architectural heritage; the trail through Les landes de Locarn, by contrast, passes through a natural area to a named destination and back.
Discover more destinations: Lanmodez, Trédias, Saint-Nicodème, Begard, Saint-Adrien, Kerpert, Lanloup, Laniscat
For the broader travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
