Le Vieux-Marché reveals itself through different traces: shop signs tell of its former commercial life, paths follow the Saint-Ethurien, and buildings bring together religious tradition and older history. When planning your visit, you can focus on village life, the river landscape or sacred heritage; each of the various paths and places offers a different perspective.
Local history and landscape along the trails
A prominent landmark in the landscape is the Hêtre de Kervinihy beech tree. It is estimated to be between 150 and 350 years old; it is about 25 metres tall and has a spread of 20 metres. The estimate covers a wide range of years, while the height and spread provide two specific measurements of the tree.
The “Tour du bourg” circular trail passes through the squares of Le Vieux-Marché. Old fortification rings and shop signs reveal traces of commercial life in the first half of the 20th century. The trail therefore draws attention not only to buildings, but also to the village’s former everyday and commercial life.
The “Tour des moulins” circular trail brings the green valley of the Saint-Ethurien to the fore. The route passes former mills, their old stonework washed by the water. “Au fil du Saint-Ethurien” starts in Le Vieux-Marché, follows the river through a wooded valley and returns via the heights of the valley. This route also passes the old Milin ar C'hoat bridge and the Kerbiquet mill, whose wheel is still visible. The route descriptions therefore differ in focus: one centres on former mills in the valley, while the other follows the river, returns via the heights and passes other buildings.
“Sur les pas de Luzel” follows in the footsteps of storyteller François-Marie Luzel. The route winds along shaded paths lined with hedges, passing manor houses, chapels, fountains and oratories. The “Chemin des améthystes” offers a different perspective: it passes through the countryside around Le Vieux-Marché, and its landmark is a small purple stone, the amethyst.
Chapels, church and pilgrimage
The Chapelle des Sept-Saints is considered France’s only testament to the cult of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, celebrated by Christians and Muslims. The building incorporates a Neolithic passage grave, which forms the floor of the chapel’s south transept. The Islamic-Christian pilgrimage to the Seven Saints has taken place on the fourth Sunday in July since 1954. Check the pilgrimage dates before your trip. Tours of the chapel are available on request through the tourist office; advance booking is required, as is a minimum of four to five participants.
At the parish church of Le Vieux-Marché, the west portal, the small north door with its flanking niches, and the Pietà have been listed as historic monuments since 1927. Notre-Dame-de-Consolation Church was built between 1878 and 1892 on the site of an earlier chapel. Literary history is also part of the village’s cultural heritage: Le Vieux-Marché is the birthplace of Anjela Duval, a peasant poet who wrote in Breton.
Visitor information
The Chapelle, fontaine et croix de la Trinité is located on a walking trail. Its outdoor areas are freely accessible year-round; the interior can be visited on request through the mairie. The site offers panoramic views over the Léguer valley. A visit therefore takes in both the building and the landscape, although the access arrangements for the interior and outdoor areas are not the same.
Notre-Dame-de-Consolation also has different access arrangements for its interior and outdoor areas: the interior is opened on request through the mairie, while the outdoor areas are freely accessible year-round. If you plan to visit the interior, check with the mairie in advance.
Discover more destinations: Canihuel, Plouagat, Loudéac, Lannebert, Plouaret, Tregueux, Gommenec'h, Mûr-De-Bretagne.
For the broader travel overview: Côtes-D’armor.
