In Le Gouray, notable traces of the past range from a Neolithic megalithic site to buildings with medieval traditions and later alterations. There is also Croquelien, a granite chaos shaped by long-term erosion. Prehistoric stone structures, storytelling traditions, religious buildings and traces of the metre-gauge railway reflect different aspects of the local heritage. The Pas-es-Biche circular trail adds a landscape perspective, with views over the Boquen Forest.
Chapelle Saint-Roch: tradition and reconstruction
According to tradition, the Chapelle Saint-Roch dates back to the 12th century. It was rebuilt in the 17th century using materials from the 15th century. Its traditional early dating, the later reconstruction and the age of the reused materials therefore belong to different periods. This sequence makes the chapel a tangible example of how a religious site can be understood through several phases of construction.
Allée couverte de l'épine: dimensions and legendary names
The Neolithic Allée couverte de l'épine is also known in local legends as “La roche aux fées” and “La table Margot”. It is aligned on a northwest–southeast axis. Four granite slabs rest in part on twelve granite pillars. The covered passage extends for 10.3 metres. The site can thus be described not only by its prehistoric classification but also by its structure and alignment. The two legendary names add a different dimension: they point to a local storytelling tradition that offers another way to understand this monument alongside its architectural features.
Croquelien: granite and legends
At Croquelien, landscape and tradition meet. Croquelien is a granite chaos shaped by long-term erosion. Paul SĂ©billot collected the legends associated with the site in the late 19th century. One legend tells of a silver barrel in one of the dolmens, which can only be retrieved on Easter Day, provided complete silence is maintained. A landscape shaped by geology and its storytelling tradition thus offer two distinct ways of understanding the place.
Château and more recent renovations
The Château de la Motte-Basse reveals another historical layer. Originally, it was a feudal motte-and-bailey castle mound that guarded the course of the Arguenon; the château is partially listed as a historic monument. The château’s chapel houses a 1691 painting depicting the Annunciation. The site thus combines the history of a feudal castle mound with a dated work of religious art. Le Gouray’s heritage also includes a washhouse renovated in 2024 and the Église St-Etienne, renovated in 2021. The renovation dates provide two more recent milestones alongside the older architectural and artistic history.
Forest views and railway history
The Pas-es-Biche circular trail offers views over the Boquen Forest; hikers can also discover an old railway bridge along the route. It is a remnant of the heyday of the metre-gauge railway in central Brittany. The trail thus brings together landscape views and transport history—a different focus from Le Gouray’s stone monuments and architectural history.
Discover more destinations: Pommeret, LĂ©hon, Rospez, Pleumeur-Bodou, Evran, Langast, Lezardrieux, Belle-Isle-En-Terre
For the broader travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
